The palm oil plantations powering communities and tackling climate change

Palm oil mills are generating electricity using waste methane to the benefit of local communities and company profits

Environmental concerns over palm oil production tend to focus on rainforest felling and the plight of the orangutan. But palm oil companies are now starting to grapple with a lesser-known issue that could make a significant difference in the quest to curb climate change.

The rapid expansion of palm oil cultivation has resulted in the creation of vast wastewater lagoons beside plantations in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's two dominant producers.