Net-Zero Emissions Pathways in Palm Oil Production: A Systematic Review of Methane Capture, Precision Agriculture, Renewable Energy Integration, and Carbon Credit Mechanisms

Abstract

T
he palm oil sector plays a strategic role in global vegetable oil supply while facing increasing expectations to contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction and net-zero climate targets. Scientific evidence indicates that multiple technological and managerial interventions have been explored to address emission sources across plantation and milling systems. This study aims to systematically review and synthesize peer-reviewed literature on net-zero emission pathways in palm oil production, focusing on methane capture from palm oil mill effluent, precision agriculture practices, renewable energy integration, and carbon credit mechanisms. This research employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design following a structured and transparent protocol. Scientific articles were collected exclusively from the Scopus 
database using predefined keyword combinations related to palm oil production and low-carbon strategies. A multi-stage screening process based on relevance, publication year (2019–2025), language, and accessibility resulted in 32 eligible peer-reviewed articles for analysis. Data analysis was conducted using thematic coding, frequency mapping, and cross-study comparisons to identify dominant patterns and reported emission-reduction outcomes. The results indicate that methane capture and utilization from palm oil mill effluent represents the most mature and high-impact mitigation pathway. At the same time, precision agriculture and the integration of renewable energy contribute to improved emission efficiency at the plantation and mill levels. Carbon credit mechanisms function as enabling instruments that enhance economic feasibility and investment readiness. The integrated application of these pathways demonstrates substantial potential to meet net-zero emissions targets under supportive institutional conditions. In conclusion, the reviewed literature suggests that net-zero emission pathways in palm oil production are technically feasible and increasingly supported by empirical evidence. Future research is recommended to focus on system-level integration, smallholder inclusion, and long-term performance assessment across diverse production contexts.