Sustainability - environmental and social

A company’s success is measured not solely by its financial performance but also by its social and environmental performance.

The Group is committed to producing environmentally-sustainable palm oil.

The Group is a member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil ("RSPO") whose wide variety of members covers interests from plantation owners to non governmental organisations to supermarkets. The Group endorses the general principles & criteria adopted by the RSPO in relation to environmental, social and ethical practices. The Group has set in motion the process to obtain RSPO certification for its existing palm-oil production.

The Group ensures that any new plantation development is undertaken only in open or lightly-timbered areas. By definition, these development areas will not be suitable habitats for orang-utans. Full environmental impact assessments are conducted on new project areas by internationally-recognised, independent environmental consultants. A copy of the environmental impact assessment of the Group’s development in Kalimantan is here.

At the Group’s Pangkatan palm-oil mill, liquid effluent is applied to empty bunches to create nutritious compost which, in turn, is applied in the field, reducing the requirement for inorganic fertilisers. No effluent reaches rivers or water courses.

The Group gives priority to the health and safety of its employees and those affected by its activities.

The Group undertakes to train and motivate its workforce, to help employees build on skill levels and to extend their education and qualifications.

In Indonesia, the Group provides, inter alia, medical care, free housing, clean water and sanitation to its workforce as well as kindergartens and school transport.

In Australia, besides its commitment to the health and safety of its employees, the Group adopts the highest standards of animal welfare in relation to its cattle. Through NAPCo, which has won a number of environmental awards, it is also involved in the preservation, and rehabilitation, of indigenous flora and fauna.