By: Devane Sharma
What is Net Zero, and Why Does It Matter? | How Does SBTi Enhance Net Zero Goals? | Steps to Setting SBTi-Aligned Net Zero Targets | How is Musim Mas Leading the Way? | Net Zero Goals are Imperative, Not Optional
Net zero and palm oil are two critical components of today’s sustainability conversation. Pursuing net zero emissions is becoming the gold standard for corporate climate action.
Additionally, in sectors like palm oil, the intersection of net zero and palm oil commitments is essential for meaningful progress.
However, not all net-zero commitments are created equal—some are vague, while others lack measurable accountability.
As a leader in sustainable palm oil, Musim Mas understands that net-zero and palm oil efforts must be rooted in science-backed pathways to address the climate crisis effectively.
Our company is fully committed to aligning its sustainability strategy with SBTi targets, ensuring we contribute to a verifiable, transparent net-zero and palm oil future.
What is Net Zero, and Why Does It Matter?
Net-zero and palm oil initiatives aim to balance greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with those removed from it.
Reaching net-zero emissions is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, such as:
- Rising sea levels
- Extreme weather patterns
- Threats to biodiversity and food security
Scientists agree that achieving net zero by 2050 is vital to staying within the 1.5°C temperature increase limit outlined in the Paris Agreement.
For industries like palm oil, adopting net-zero and palm oil strategies is not just about offsetting emissions. It requires deep, structural reductions across the supply chain—from production to distribution.
To truly advance net-zero and palm oil goals, companies must:
- Adopt renewable energy solutions
- Improve energy efficiency
- Engage suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders in their sustainability journey
Read More: What Are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), and How Do They Cause Climate Change?
How Does SBTi Enhance Net Zero Goals?
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a leading framework for businesses to set climate goals that align with climate science.
Unlike generic pledges, SBTi provides a clear, measurable roadmap to guide companies in achieving net-zero and palm oil targets effectively. Its methodology focuses on:
- Science-Based Goals: Targets are grounded in scientific evidence to align with the 1.5°C climate goal.
- Independent Validation: Commitments are reviewed and validated by climate experts to ensure credibility.
- Accountability and Reporting: Companies must monitor and publicly disclose their net-zero and palm oil progress.
- Short- and Long-Term Targets: SBTi mandates near- and long-term reduction plans, ensuring consistent progress.
By adopting SBTi standards, businesses demonstrate a genuine commitment to both net zero and palm oil sustainability, earning trust from regulators, investors, and consumers alike.
Steps to Setting SBTi-Aligned Net Zero Targets
Palm oil companies aiming for SBTi-approved net-zero and palm oil targets typically follow these steps:
- Calculate Baseline Emissions – Measure Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity), and Scope 3 (emissions across the value chain) following the GHG Protocol.
- Set Near- and Long-term Targets – Develop reduction targets for the next decade, mapped to the 1.5°C pathway.
- Submit for Validation – Get the targets independently validated by SBTi to ensure they meet the rigorous criteria.
- Implement Reduction Measures – Invest in energy efficiency, renewable sources, and sustainable practices across operations.
- Monitor and Report Progress – Regularly disclose emissions and updates to maintain transparency and accountability.
How is Musim Mas Leading the Way?
Musim Mas has integrated net-zero and palm oil goals at the core of its sustainability strategy. In January 2024, we pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and in October 2024, SBTi validated our targets, marking a significant milestone for our net-zero and palm oil journey.
Here’s how we’re acting on climate responsibility:
Industry Collaboration
First, Musim Mas drives collective action in the palm oil sector through the Agriculture Sector Roadmap to 1.5°C. This initiative was developed in collaboration with 13 leading agribusinesses.
This roadmap also prioritizes reducing emissions from land-use changes while safeguarding food security, smallholder livelihoods, and economic growth—all integral to net zero and palm oil progress.
Comprehensive GHG Reductions
Our No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy, established in 2014, laid the groundwork for significant GHG reductions.
We pioneered the installation of methane capture facilities across our mills, leading the way in net-zero and palm oil practices.
Today, we continue to expand our GHG inventory to cover Scope 3 emissions, ensuring full alignment with SBTi requirements.
Transparency and Accountability
Moreover, Musim Mas has submitted emissions data to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) since 2017.
With SBTi-approved targets, we’re enhancing our commitment to net zero and palm oil transparency by regularly updating our group-level reduction targets and progress reports.
Empowering Smallholders
Empowering smallholder farmers is key to sustainable agriculture and to advancing net-zero and palm oil objectives.
By providing training and resources, we help smallholders adopt climate-smart farming techniques that reduce deforestation and enhance productivity.
Net Zero Goals are Imperative, Not Optional
In today’s regulatory and market landscape, net zero and palm oil goals are no longer optional—they are imperative.
Investors, regulators, and consumers increasingly demand tangible climate action. Companies that align with SBTi standards signal industry leadership, accountability, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.
The urgent challenge of climate change is an opportunity to lead by example. With SBTi-approved targets and actionable strategies in motion, we and other leaders are charting a credible path toward a sustainable net-zero and palm oil future.
Closing Thoughts
To conclude, achieving net zero and palm oil sustainability is no easy feat—it requires science-driven strategies, rigorous accountability, and continuous action.
Through SBTi’s robust framework, companies can transition from vague pledges to meaningful progress.
References:
https://carboncloud.com/blog/sbti/
https://plana.earth/academy/science-based-targets-sbti-explained
https://www.anthesisgroup.com/au/insights/science-based-targets-what-are-they-and-why-set-one/
https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/company-guide/what-is-the-science-based-targets-initiative-sbti
https://carboncloud.com/blog/sbti/
