Why is capturing methane emissions critical for Malaysian mills?

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Capturing methane is critical for Malaysian palm oil mills because it turns an environmental liability into power, revenue, and internationally bankable carbon credits under COP29 rules.

Malaysia joined the Global Methane Pledge, but only 30 per cent of its mills capture biogas, leaving most methane unharvested. Unharnessed methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years, while captured methane can be converted into power and revenue and can generate internationally bankable carbon credits under COP29’s new Article 6.4 rules.
Only 30 per cent of Malaysian mills currently capture biogas
The methane issue is immediate because biogas capture coverage is limited: just 30 per cent of mills capture biogas under Malaysia’s participation in the Global Methane Pledge. With 70 per cent not capturing, a large share of methane remains unharnessed rather than being recovered for use.
Uncaptured methane remains far more potent than CO2
The urgency comes from the climate potency gap: unharnessed methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years. That potency difference is the practical reason mills that do not capture methane are carrying a heavier emissions burden while the industry moves toward stricter expectations.
Captured methane can be monetised through power and carbon credits
Captured methane is described as a conversion pathway that becomes power and revenue. It can also generate internationally bankable carbon credits under COP29’s new Article 6.4 rules, which ties methane capture to measurable financial outcomes rather than only environmental performance.
Retrofitting is monetisation; new mills are already mandated
The window for monetising capture is linked to timing: existing mills that retrofit now can monetise methane capture, while new mills are already mandated to capture methane. This framing places capturing methane as a competitive and revenue-relevant operational choice for mills that are still deciding whether and when to retrofit.

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Why is capturing methane emissions critical for Malaysian mills?

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