Oil palm is one of the most efficient and productive oil crops globally, playing a critical role in food security, livelihoods, and economic development particularly in producing countries such as Malaysia.

I believe that the future of the oil palm sector lies not in expansion at any cost, but in responsible management, scientific assessment, and continuous improvement of existing landscapes. When managed sustainably, oil palm can coexist with biodiversity conservation, climate action, and socio-economic development.

A key pillar of sustainable oil palm lies in how the industry manages and leverages its by-products and waste streams. Materials such as palm oil mill effluent (POME), biomass residues, and processing by-products should no longer be viewed as liabilities, but as strategic resources. Through appropriate assessment, technology integration, and governance, these waste streams can be transformed into renewable energy, carbon value, soil enhancers, and other revenue-generating outputs supporting both environmental performance and economic resilience.

My work focuses on supporting the oil palm industry through evidence-based sustainability strategies, including environmental assessment, carbon management, waste-to-value approaches, and sustainability reporting. By integrating science, policy, and practical implementation, I aim to help stakeholders strengthen compliance, reduce environmental risks, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new value streams aligned with national and international sustainability frameworks.

Rather than viewing oil palm as a problem to be eliminated, I see it as a sector that must be improved, governed, and transformed through data, innovation, collaboration, and transparency. With the right systems in place, sustainable oil palm can continue to contribute meaningfully to national development, rural livelihoods, and climate goals, while meeting increasing global expectations on environmental and social responsibility.

Sustainable oil palm is not a slogan; it is a continuous process that requires long-term commitment from industry players, regulators, researchers, and communities alike.

– Noraini Ruslan (10th January 2026)-