Malaysia won't reduce biodiesel mandate

The Malaysian government said it will not reduce its current biodiesel mandate of 5%, despite the high cost of feedstock. While use of biodiesel is not mandatory, the country is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas atmospheric concentrations. Thus, the government said it is encouraging the use of biodiesel. The 5% palm oil-diesel blend was implemented in October 2008 for government vehicles and will be expanded to include the industrial and transportation sectors in 2010. (May 25, 2009)