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Issues pertaining to sustainability and food security in agricultural development are still the main agenda of Malaysia in its vision of being a developed nation. It is basically the government's responsibility of installing public confidence that food is available and affordable as well as ensuring the sustainability of the agri-food sector, for the welfare of today's and future generation. Apart from defining food security and sustainability, the paper reviews Malaysia's position on food security considering the global food security index as well as identification of its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the descriptions are also presented as part of a policy review on food security and sustainability as well as government regulations that have been established to ensure the effective implementation of relevant initiatives. This paper also focuses on agri-food research direction particularly in MARDI in addressing food security and sustainability. It encompasses the areas of research that need to be strengthened to address food security issues and sustainable agriculture through technology and innovation. Discussions within this framework also include the relationship of climate change with food security and sustainability with special emphasis on rice production. This is due to the fact that rice is a major commodity in the context of food security in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental Impact Assessment, known by its abbreviation EIA, is a planning tool to sustain the natural environment in its outstanding place by evaluating the consequences of a planned activity before putting into practice. Today the developed countries as well as the developing countries are undertaking EIA as the precautionary measure to judge the aftereffects of new developments at the planning stage ensuring the wellbeing of ecosystems. The origin of EIA took place in 1969 in the form of a domestic law by United States through initiating National Environmental Policy Act. Over the time period of many years, now many countries including the third world countries have started following the US set example by incorporating the study of EIA into their officially authorized system. In addition to this, a number of researches have revealed that EIA can play important role in contributing sustainable environment by supporting the technical and scientific understanding and their improvement in different fields, providing guidance in design of development projects, enhancing the governance of system and most importantly by modifying the attitudes of the society. For this reason, the role of EIA in the social, physical and environmental sectors has become significant. This paper will look into the mechanism of three different nations as how they are implementing this concern in their institutions. The paper, therefore, concisely reviewed the substantive processes of EIA, in the cases of Scotland, Malaysia and Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, fossil materials form the majority of our energy and chemical source. Many global concerns force us to rethink about our current dependence on the fossil energy. Limiting the use of these energy sources is a key priority for most countries that pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The application of biomass, as substitute fossil resources for producing biofuels, plastics and chemicals, is a widely accepted strategy for sustainable development. Aquatic plants including algae possess competitive advantages as biomass resources compared to the terrestrial plants in this current global situation. Bio‐oil production from algal biomass is technically and economically viable, cost competitive, requires no capacious lands and minimal water use and reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide. The aim of this paper is to review the potential of converting algal biomass, as an aquatic plant, into high‐quality crude bio‐oil through applicable processes in Malaysia. In particular, bio‐based materials and fuels from algal biomass are considered as one of the reliable alternatives for clean energy. Currently, pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) are two foremost processes for bio‐oil production from biomass. HTL can directly convert high‐moisture algal biomass into bio‐oil, whereas pyrolysis requires feedstock drying to reduce the energy consumption during the process. Microwave‐assisted HTL, which can be conducted in aqueous environment, is suitable for aquatic plants and wet biomass such as algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Malaysia, wetland rice is cultivated over two cropping seasons: the main season, from June to November, and the off-season, from January to June. The aim of this study was to investigate tillage operations in rice production in relation to actual field operations and under real field conditions for two rice cultivation seasons. The results showed that 80.7%, 17%, and 2.3% of the total time was spent on the actual operation, turning time, and reversing time, respectively. The results also showed that the mean effective field capacity, field efficiency, and fuel consumption were 1.2 ha/h, 80%, and 7.6 L/ha, respectively. The distribution of energy used in the first, second, and third tillage passes amounted to 37%, 33%, and 30% of the total energy, respectively. Fuel, machinery, and total GHG emissions were 62.4, 7.6, and 70 kg CO2eq/ha, respectively. Fuel represented the highest contributor of energy expenditure and GHG emissions. The distributions of GHG emissions in the first, second, and third tillage passes were 37%, 32%, and 31% of the total GHG emissions. The results reveal that carrying out minimum-tillage operations led to a reduction in environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design for Environment (DfE) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) have been recognized as an effective sustainable manufacturing approach to reduce environmental impact during product's life cycle. Although Malaysian manufacturers have long demonstrated a strong global market presence, the implementation of DfE and DfD among manufacturers are found lacking. This paper attempts to investigate the current state DfE and DfD implementation and the local driving force in the local Malaysian industry by addressing four research questions (RQ): RQ1 – How do Malaysian designers value the importance of DfE? RQ2 – What are the current approaches used by designers to incorporate environmental issues during product development stage? RQ3 – What difficulties are experienced in the implementation of DfE and DfD in the product development stage? RQ4 – What are the approaches needed to enhance the engagement of DfE and DfD into product design practices? Targeting product designers in Malaysia, a multiple approach using survey and interview is conducted shown that the current state of implementation and awareness within the local industry is fairly low. The soft approach of the local legislation does not contribute much towards seeing a major change in attitude as will be discussed further in the paper. The above two concerns are major challenges that require immediate attention. However, there seems to be growing concern from the industry and the government that pushes the need for options that could leapfrog the current situation. This presents an opportunity for the local research community to come up with various strategies that will be discussed. Finally, the paper proposes a more comprehensive strategy that is tailored to the local business environment in order for the local industry to be capable of maintaining its market presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the trend of utilizing oil palm residue, i.e. the empty fruit bunches (EFB) left after extraction of the palm oil, using a case study of Malaysia, which is one of the world''s major palm oil producers, and discusses the environmental performance of recycling technologies being developed in Malaysia for fuel, fiber, and fertilizer. Seven technologies are analyzed: ethanol production, methane recovery, briquette production, biofuel for combined heat and power (CHP) plants, composting, medium density fiberboard (MDF) production, and pulp and paper production. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used to discuss the environmental impacts of these technologies for adding value to this biomass. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to determine the land use effects for the various technologies utilizing EFB and to estimate the energy generation potential of raw EFB in CHP plants and methane production. Among the technologies for energy production, CHP plants have the best performance if the electricity generated is connected to the national grid, with superior benefits in the majority of impact categories compared to briquette, methane, and ethanol production. Overall, we find that methane recovery and composting are more environmentally friendly than other technologies, as measured by reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Pulp and paper, and MDF production are favorable technologies for land use impacts; however, they have intense primary energy requirements, chemical use in the processes, and emissions from their waste treatment systems. Our results provide information for decision makers when planning for sustainable use of oil palm biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper estimated the environmental performance and primary energy consumption of a newly installed large-scale solar photovoltaic system of 37.57 MW dc in Bidor, Malaysia using the process-based life-cycle assessment approach. The mid-point and end-point impact categories were evaluated, and seven relevant indicators related to energy and global warming were determined. The global warming impact and energy payback time obtained were 30.95 g CO 2 -eq/kWh and 3.43 years, respectively. Furthermore, the global warming impact mitigation potential attained was 811 kilo metric tonne (ktonne) CO 2 -eq throughout the system lifetime. Analyses of contribution, sensitivity and uncertainty were performed to i) identify photovoltaic system components that substantially consumed primary energy and impacted the environment, ii) evaluate the effect of four key parameters, namely irradiation, performance ratio, system lifetime and electricity mix on the energy and global warming-related indicators, and iii) estimate the uncertainty range of the evaluated indicators. The results highlighted that the main contributor to the indicators is the photovoltaic module. Other significant contributors are the civil work and operational and maintenance but the contribution from these components is much lower than the photovoltaic module. Besides that, the cumulative energy demand, energy return on investment, global warming impact and global warming impact mitigation potential showed an improvement when extending system lifetime from 15 to 40 years, i.e. from 0.8136 to 0.3677 MJ, 4.61 to 11.25, 55.37 to 24.99 g CO 2 -eq/kWh and 407.36 to 1055.78 g CO 2 -eq respectively, except for energy payback time and global warming payback time, i.e. from 3.26 to 3.55 years and 1.42 to 1.71 years respectively. • A life-cycle assessment of a real large-scale solar photovoltaic system is performed. • Extending lifetime of the system marginally increases the energy payback time. • The GW impact is about 19 times smaller than the Malaysian grid emission factor. • PV module is the major contributor to total primary energy consumption and GW impact. • BOS and O&M have a moderate share for primary energy consumption and GW impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass gasification based power plants can play an important role in power sector in Malaysia with her abundant agricultural and forest resources. In this research energy and economic feasibility, and environmental impact of biomass gasification power plant has been analyzed and assessed for sustainable power generation in Malaysia, the plant being a clean development mechanism supported project. Gasification based power generation with a dual fuel internal combustion engine is found more biomass combustion power plant. But, the annual fuel cost is significantly higher with gasification plant claiming MYR 10 million/y for a generation of 67,500 MWh. The net present value, internal rate of return, and PBP for a 10-MW gasification based dual fuel internal combustion engine power plant without loan financing using empty fruit bunch pellet as biomass; with CER issued at USD16/tCO2; and without loan financing provides net present value, internal rate of return, and PBP of MYR 19.68 million, 11.90%, and 6.05 y, respectively. With a loan financing at 3% per year with CER still be effective the net present value, internal rate of return, and PBP is estimated to be MYR 7.03 million, 3.97%, and 11.78 y, respectively. However, if a 60:40 debt equity is applied then the project net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period seen to improve slightly. The net present value attains a positive value of MYR 3.6 million. Internal rate of return and PBP values are found to be 7.08% and 8.27 y, respectively. The emission reduction achieved with the plant is 17,863 t CO2/y, 206 t SO2/y, 90 t NOx/y, and 10.37 t CO/y, respectively. Energy efficiency and tariff policy have been found to have highest impact on economic profitability of gasification based power generation units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater desalination is an alternative technology to provide safe drinking water and to solve water issues in an area having low water quality and limited drinking water supply. Currently, reverse osmosis (RO) is commonly used in the desalination technology and experiencing significant growth. The aim of this study was to analyze the environmental impacts of the seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant installed in Kampung Pantai Senok, Kelantan, as this plant was the first installed in Malaysia. The software SimaPro 8.5 together with the ReCiPe 2016 database were used as tools to evaluate the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the SWRO plant. The results showed that the impact of global warming (3.90 kg CO2 eq/year) was the highest, followed by terrestrial ecotoxicity (1.62 kg 1,4-DCB/year) and fossil resource scarcity (1.29 kg oil eq/year). The impact of global warming was caused by the natural gas used to generate the electricity, mainly during the RO process. Reducing the environmental impact can be effectively achieved by decreasing the electricity usage for the seawater desalination process. As a suggestion, electricity generation can be overcome by using a high-flux membrane with other suitable renewable energy for the plant such as solar and wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]