A Review of Decarbonization Strategies in Oil Palm PlantationsToward Net-Zero Emissions

Abstract

Decarbonizing oil palm plantations has become increasingly critical as global climate commitments intensify and agricultural supply chains face
growing pressure to align with net-zero emission targets. Recent scientific literature highlights a wide range of technological, ecological, and
governance-based mitigation approaches, yet these findings remain fragmented across disciplines, limiting the sector’s ability to identify strategies with the highest carbon-reduction potential. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review aimed at (1) identifying and classifying the dominant decarbonization strategies implemented in oil palm plantations, and (2) evaluating their relative significance, mitigation potential, and practical feasibility across diverse production contexts. This research adopts a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design following the PRISMA protocol. Data were gathered exclusively from peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, using structured keyword refinement and multi-stage inclusion criteria to ensure thematic relevance. A total of 39 publications met all eligibility requirements and were analyzed through thematic synthesis. Data analysis involved qualitative coding, cross-study comparison, and extraction of quantitative indicators related to emissions, mitigation performance, and implementation considerations. The findings reveal five dominant decarbonization pathways: methane mitigation from palm oil mill effluent, energy-efficiency improvements, biomass-based fuel substitution, landscape-level carbon sequestration, and digital MRV enhancement supported by governance instruments. Methane mitigation demonstrates the highest reduction potential, followed by energy transformation and peatland restoration. The review concludes that integrated, multi-dimensional approaches are necessary to achieve netzero trajectories. Future studies should explore hybrid decarbonization models, long-term MRV performance, and the inclusion of smallholders in low-carbon transition frameworks.