04 • LOCAL NEWS

@ green | July-August. 2026

MAPPING CARBON FOOTPRINTS: UKM and MPOB will work together on a study to establish a carbon footprint inventory for Malaysia ' s palm oil sector.

clearer picture of the environmental impact of Malaysia ' s palm oil supply chain will emerge from a new RM500,000 research project led by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia( UKM).

Funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board( MPOB), the study will develop a carbon footprint inventory covering greenhouse gas emissions associated with fresh fruit bunch( FFB) production.

The project comes as Malaysia faces growing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress on climate action, both domestically and in international markets. The country has set a target to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The research, part of the 13th

Malaysia Plan, is expected to establish a comprehensive database to calculate the industry ' s carbon footprint and support life cycle assessments in line with international standards.

Rather than focusing solely on emission volume, the study will help identify environmental impacts at different stages of the production chain, providing a stronger basis for future efforts to reduce emissions.

UKM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh said the initiative would link environmental responsibility with the industry ' s need to remain competitive globally.

" This research is specifically designed to strengthen the global competitiveness of Malaysia ' s palm oil industry while simultaneously supporting the nation ' s broader decarbonisation agenda."

MEASURING THE IMPACT

He said the project would also strengthen the country ' s research capacity in sustainability and climate science, while contributing to its broader climate governance efforts.

Prof Dr Marlia Mohd Hanafiah from UKM ' s Institute of Climate Change will head the research team.

For MPOB, the information generated could have applications beyond measuring emissions from fresh fruit bunches.

MPOB Director-General Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the board remained committed to keeping the industry sustainable and competitive as environmental requirements become tougher worldwide.

The data, he said, would be " crucial for assessing the life cycle and carbon footprint of fresh fruit bunch production " and could also be used to examine alternative energy sources such as used cooking oil and empty fruit bunches.

The study could therefore provide more than an emissions baseline, giving policymakers and industry a scientific reference for identifying opportunities to lower the sector ' s carbon footprint and support Malaysia ' s transition towards a low-carbon economy.

MCDONALD ' S Malaysia is expanding its use of renewable electricity and EV infrastructure through a strengthened partnership with Tenaga Nasional Berhad( TNB), bringing solar generation, green electricity and electric vehicle charging into its restaurant network.

The 24-hour facility, energised on May 15, features a 200kW DC fast charger with two charging points, expandable to four. Located near the Batu Kawan Expressway and Industrial Park, it offers EV users a charging option while they dine or take a break.

The facility is part of a broader partnership between TNB and McDonald ' s Malaysia covering three areas: rooftop solar, renewable electricity, and EV charging.

Solar systems will be installed at 51 more McDonald ' s restaurants, with an estimated combined capacity of 1.685 MWp. TNB subsidiary GSPARX Sdn Bhd will develop and maintain the systems from 2026 to 2027.

McDonald ' s Malaysia will participate in TNB ' s Green Electricity Tariff( GET) for up to 285 restaurants, with average monthly consumption of about 15.5 gigawatt-hours.

COOKING UP CHANGE

The company becomes the first and largest quick-service restaurant operator in Malaysia to subscribe to GET.

McDonald ' s Malaysia Managing Director and local operating partner Dato ' Haji Azmir Jaafar said the initiatives would support efforts to reduce emissions.

" These initiatives are central to our broader sustainability roadmap, supporting our efforts to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning towards cleaner energy sources and futureproofing our operations. We ' re proud to have TNB as a partner in this journey as we continue to scale sustainable

SERVING UP A BETTER RECIPE: A 200kW DC fast charger at McDonald ' s Batu Kawan can serve two EVs at once, with capacity to expand to four charging points.

practices across our restaurant network."

TNB president and CEO Datuk Ir Ts Shamsul Ahmad said the partnership showed how the energy transition could be integrated into everyday spaces.

" The energy transition happens where people live, work and travel."

The collaboration supports Malaysia ' s National Energy Transition Roadmap and wider efforts to expand renewable energy and electrification. – @ green