Environmental sustainability assessment of sustainable aviation fuel production from palm oil and palm derivatives
Oscar Punguti, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala
Biomass Futures · 2026
The sustainability of palm oil as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains contested due to land use change (LUC) associated with oil palm expansion and methane emissions from palm oil mill effluent, despite its high yield per hectare. This study assessed the environmental sustainability of SAF derived from palm oil and its derivatives within the Thailand supply chain under different Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification levels and hydrogen production pathways. The life cycle assessment was conducted using a well-to-tank system boundary, including direct and indirect land use change (dLUC and iLUC). Global warming impacts ranged from 9.7 to 68.2 gCO 2 eq/MJ across all scenarios, corresponding to a 23-89% reduction relative to conventional jet fuel (89 gCO 2 eq/MJ). Sensitivity analysis showed substantially higher emissions under higher-risk forest conversion assumptions. However, the relative low baseline dLUC values reflect Thailand's specific land conversion patterns and may not be representative of other palm-producing regions characterized by high-carbon stock land conversion. RSPO-certified pathways combined with renewable hydrogen demonstrated improved environmental performance across midpoint and endpoint impact categories, while by-product and waste-based pathways showed lower impacts due to the exclusion of upstream cultivation and milling burdens. Achieving low environmental impacts from palm-based SAF production requires integrated implementation of: (i) optimized agricultural inputs, including precision fertilization and integrated pest management, (ii) methane capture and utilization from palm oil mill effluent, (iii) adoption of low-carbon hydrogen, (iv) avoidance of high-carbon stock land conversion, and (v) improved process efficiency and yield optimization.
Integrated Water-Energy-Food-Land-Climate (WEFLC) nexus assessment of biomass utilization impacts in selected East Asia Summit (EAS) countries
Ruth Anne Gonocruz-Abe, Y. Kudoh, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Glenn Baticados, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto, Marlia Mohd Hanafiah, Rex Demafelis, Ngo Thi Thanh Truc, Souvik Bhattacharjya, Marietta Quejada, Venkatachalam Anbumozhi
Biomass and Bioenergy · 2026
Decarbonization potential in Southeast Asia through hydrogen production from waste biomass
Ahsan Farooq, Haseeb Akbar, Shabbir H. Gheewala
Biomass and Bioenergy · 2026
Southeast Asia has substantial waste biomass resources that can support low-carbon hydrogen production and regional decarbonization. This study assesses biomass availability and compares the hydrogen production and decarbonization potential of two pathways: biomass gasification with steam methane reforming (BGSMR) and anaerobic digestion with biogas steam reforming (ADBSR). Crop residues, animal manure, and organic municipal solid waste are quantified across ten Southeast Asian countries, and associated hydrogen and CO 2 mitigation potentials are estimated. The results show that BGSMR consistently outperforms ADBSR across all countries, driven by its ability to directly utilize abundant lignocellulosic crop residues that dominate the regional biomass resource base. BGSMR provides a regional decarbonization potential of 4986 million t CO 2 , compared with 407 million t CO 2 for ADBSR, against current fossil-based emissions of 1681 million t CO 2 . Scenario analysis confirms robust mitigation outcomes even under conservative biomass availability. A market equilibrium assessment indicates that meeting current regional hydrogen demand (∼4 million tonnes yr −1 ) would require only about 5.6% of surplus biomass availability. Overall, BGSMR emerges as a scalable and resource-efficient pathway for hydrogen-based decarbonization in Southeast Asia.
Zero-Burning Strategies for PM2.5 and GHG Mitigation: A Spatial-Temporal Assessment of Crop Residue Burning in Northern Thailand
Sate Sampattagul, Phakphum Paluang, Hisam Samae, Keng-Tung Wu, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Ratchayuda Kongboon
Land · 2026
Agricultural crop residue burning is a major driver of seasonal PM2.5 pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Northern Thailand. This study quantified GHG emissions from the open burning of rice, maize, and sugarcane residues across six provinces (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet) from 2019 to 2024 using the 2006 IPCC emission methodology. Spatiotemporal patterns of fire hotspots were characterized using MODIS and VIIRS satellite data, combined with kernel density estimation (KDE) and land-use classification in ArcGIS Pro. Total non-CO2 GHG emissions (CH4 and N2O, expressed as CO2-eq using GWP100 from IPCC AR5) over the six years totaled 2,599,551 tCO2-eq, with major rice contributing the largest share (35%), followed by sugarcane (24%), second rice (21%), and maize (20%). Nakhon Sawan was the leading emitter (41%), reflecting its extensive rice and sugarcane cultivation. Pearson correlation analysis revealed consistently positive relationships between daily fire hotspot counts and PM2.5 concentrations (r = 0.30–0.84), with the strongest correlations observed in Mae Hong Son, where basin topography traps pollutants. Time-series analysis confirmed pronounced seasonal PM2.5 peaks that exceeded Thailand’s 24-h NAAQS limit (37.5 μg/m3) by 7–9 times in severe years. Biochar production via pyrolysis was evaluated as a zero-burning alternative, with an estimated annual carbon sequestration potential of 2.3–3.5 million tCO2-eq, substantially exceeding emissions from open burning. These findings indicate that crop-residue valorization options—including biochar production, composting, and biochar co-compost—could theoretically offset agricultural GHG emissions and reduce field-burning PM2.5 emissions in Northern Thailand. However, the realized mitigation will depend on (i) verification of biochar long-term stability in tropical Thai soils through dedicated in situ trials, (ii) economic incentives that offset biochar production costs of approximately 1500–3500 THB per tonne, and (iii) integration within a policy mix that combines burning bans, mechanization support, and farmer extension services. Without these enabling conditions, biochar should be regarded as a future-perspective option rather than an immediately deployable solution.
Assessing the Effect of Intensive Rice Monoculture on Land Degradation Under the SDG 15.3.1 Framework
Nattaya Huailuek, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala
Agriculture · 2026
Rice monoculture systems, often involving double- or triple-cropping cycles annually, require intensive agricultural practices that can lead to land degradation. This study evaluates land degradation within the long-term rice monoculture systems of Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, using the Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 framework. By focusing exclusively on persistent rice-growing areas, the study minimized the confounding signals of land-use conversion, allowing for an evaluation of the trajectories driven by combined agricultural management and climatic factors. The assessment integrated land use and land cover (LULC), soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and land productivity. Findings indicate that 83% of the original paddy area remained long-term monoculture, with LULC-related degradation limited to 4% of the original paddy cultivation area. While SOC depletion was observed in a few districts, a broader potential carbon accretion trend was identified across the province, likely driven by sustainable post-harvest practices such as stubble retention and organic amendments. Land productivity analysis revealed partial stress only in a few districts. The study demonstrated that long-term rice cultivation did not result in widespread deterioration of soil health on an aggregate provincial scale; however, district-localized degradation hotspots suffering from soil organic carbon depletion and climate-induced productivity stress were identified, demanding targeted regional management.
Assessment of post-consumer plastic packaging waste flow in Chiang Mai: Challenges for low- and high-value plastic waste streams towards a circular economy
Boonyawee Boonyasaranai, Napat Jakrawatana, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Kiyo Kurisu, Sarunnoud Phuphisith
Cleaner Environmental Systems · 2026
Recycling is crucial to achieving a sustainable plastic circular economy. Like many developing countries, Thailand can feasibly achieve source separation for recycling through both formal curbside collection and informal waste gatherers. While the government set specific recycling targets for plastic packaging waste (PPW) at 50% by 2022 and 100% by 2027, a comprehensive understanding of PPW composition and management remains limited. This study examined the flow of different PPW types across six product categories and seven resin types. The analysis covered the entire lifecycle from generation to end-of-life in Chiang Mai city. Measures were also recommended to improve circularity in PPW and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Data collected in 2022 indicated that 23 ± 5% of the total PPW generated was recycled. Bottles had a higher recycling rate through informal channels, while multilayer packaging and cutlery ended up in landfills. Various resins were identified at source PPW generation, but buyers of recyclables currently accept a limited range of PPW categories, including high-value PET and HDPE bottles. Strictly promoting the recycling of high-value PPW will not, on its own, achieve a 50% recycling rate; the city also needs to address low-value PPW. The analysis highlighted challenges in current informal recycling channels and facilities in meeting the ambitious 100% recycling goal, highlighting the need for technological innovations, market development, policy tools, and strategies to support plastic circularity. Insights from this research could benefit other cities with similar waste management systems, particularly those in which informal financial channels drive recycling activities. • Examined post-consumer plastic packaging waste under the formal and informal sectors • Plastic packaging waste was analyzed into six product applications and seven polymers • PET and PE bottles were most accepted via the informal market-driven recycling route • Interventions for low-value plastic packaging waste are crucial to circularity
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