At Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas, we understand our planet’s environmental challenges. This is why we are committed to playing an active role in climate action, just as Greta Thunberg’s impactful speech at the 2019 UN Climate Summit inspired countless individuals worldwide to do the same.
As an internationally established pulp and paper company operating in over 150 countries, we have a significant role in Earth’s protection. Our operations rely on the sustainable use of resources such as pulpwood fibre, energy, and water. Thus, responsible resource management is an environmental obligation that is crucial for our business continuity. In preserving the environment, we safeguard the future of our employees, stakeholders, and, ultimately, the next generation.
Our Sustainability Roadmap
To fulfil our commitment to the environment and promote responsible practices, we launched the Asia Pulp & Paper Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 in 2012. This comprehensive strategy sets ambitious targets for sustainable business practices and environmental conservation.
The roadmap highlights 10 principal areas impacting our stakeholders and supply chain. These are climate change, emissions, solid waste, reforestation, conservation and biodiversity, human rights and indigenous people, community empowerment, employee welfare, fibre sourcing, and water management. Our strategy is based on global standards and cooperation; endorsing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To this end, our sustainability framework branches out into three fundamental areas that our roadmap lays a keen emphasis on: production practices, forest restoration, and community engagement.
1. Adopting Responsible Sourcing
Here at Asia Pulp & Paper, we require all current and potential suppliers to comply with our Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) as part of our commitment to sustainable sourcing. Our Responsible Fibre Procurement and Purchasing Policy (RFPPP) offers further guidance, setting specific procedures for FCP compliance.
In addition, we have developed the Supplier Evaluation and Risk Assessment (SERA) tools to evaluate the level of risk within a supplier’s operations. The policy protects High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests, ensuring we only use non-forested areas for our operations. This ensures that our product’s fibre comes from traceable, legally compliant or certified suppliers who practise sustainable forestry management to help conserve our forests.
2. Championing Forest Protection and Restoration
Apart from our stringent responsible sourcing policies, we further dedicate our efforts towards the preservation and restoration of our forests – the second pillar in Asia Pulp & Paper’s sustainability framework. Our Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) has a zero deforestation goal, which requires us to consider the risks, effects, and potential opportunities in all the areas where our suppliers operate.
As such, we have been working on developing a Peatland Best Management Practice approach since 2013. As part of our initiatives, we have retired 7,000 hectares of productive plantations on critical peat for conservation purposes and implemented more than 5,000 perimeter canal blocks to maintain near-natural water levels in protected areas.
Our efforts for successful peat restoration involve collaborating with international research universities and community-based nursery programmes to provide sufficient local tree seedlings for restoration activities.
In our commitment to protect High Conservation Values within our concession areas, we are also focusing our conservation initiatives towards the safeguarding of Indonesia’s endangered flora and fauna. These include the Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant, all three sub-species of orangutans, and 10 indigenous tree species. Through the establishment and maintenance of wildlife corridors, we mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, while implementing wildlife-friendly management practices. Further, we enforce stringent laws aimed at reducing poaching, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these precious species.
3. Integrating Community Efforts for Forest Conservation
Communities residing within and around forests also play a crucial role in conservation efforts. Hence, we have initiated the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) programme in 2015 to address forest and land fires, and have provided alternative livelihoods for these communities. By the end of 2021, the DMPA programme has been extended to 394 villages, potentially benefiting over 31,000 households.
Embracing A Sustainable Future With Asia Pulp & Paper
At Asia Pulp & Paper, we are steadfast in our mission to pave the way for a greener future. We continuously explore and adopt new strategies to safeguard the environment, protect wildlife, and enhance community welfare. We understand that environmental conservation requires a collective effort and are ready to do our part.
Our ultimate goal is to integrate responsible practices into every facet of our global operations and supply chain. To succeed, we strive to align our production processes with the needs of our customers without compromising our commitment to the environment. Let’s continue to put our efforts together to conserve our planet for future generations.