Smallholder farmers achieve RSPO certification in Malaysia

In a unique partnership between Cargill, Wild Asia and Solidaridad, a group of 34 independent smallholders in Perak, Malaysia, achieved sustainable palm oil certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) on 20 March 2015. Through the partnership, this group of smallholder farmers is now connected to a global certified sustainable supply chain, and they are leading the way for more smallholder farmers to join this program by the end of this year. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a replicable, self-sustaining process that includes independent smallholders, dealers and mills, to achieve certified sustainable palm oil production. In Malaysia, which is the second largest producer of palm oil in the world, Cargill, Wild Asia and Solidaridad have provided assistance and technical training to help oil palm smallholders achieve RSPO certification. The goal of the program is to help an additional 100 independent smallholders in Malaysia meet RSPO sustainable palm oil production standards by the end of 2015. The certification, driven by Cargill as part of their commitment to achieving a fully sustainable supply chain, sets the stage for the long term production of RSPO certified palm oil in Malaysia. The program began in 2013 and involves a comprehensive network of independent players in the supply chain. The smallholders, the oil palm fruit dealers, the mill and the refiner have come together with a common goal to improve productivity and smallholders’ incomes in a sustainable way. To increase the participation of smallholders, encourage new entrants to the scheme and ensure the long term sustainability of the program, Cargill is currently working with the Wild Asia Group Scheme (WAGS) and the oil palm mill to provide incentives for the current group of certified smallholders to continue to produce certified sustainable palm oil. Following the initial success of the pilot WAGS program, two new palm fruit dealers also have been engaged to participate in a similar smallholder scheme. The efforts will go towards driving progress and improving Cargill’s palm oil supply chain sustainability in Malaysia. “Smallholder oil palm farmers are a key part of the palm oil supply chain. They are also the least prepared to achieve RSPO certification. Together with our partners Wild Asia and Solidaridad, we wanted to see how we can assist smallholders to get into the global sustainable supply chain. We are pleased with the certification of this pilot group of smallholders in Malaysia. The training has helped build the farmer’s capacity, maximize productivity, increase yields and improve their livelihoods. In the long run, the certified smallholders will benefit from the added value of having a traceable and sustainable supply chain, and be able to supply the world, sustainable palm oil, ” said Chai Wei Joo, managing director of Cargill Palm Products Sdn Bhd. “We look forward to seeing how this initiative can contribute to a broader adoption of sustainable practices and increased production and uptake of RSPO certification in Malaysia,” Hendry Yang, Asia Pacific manager for Solidaridad explained. “This pilot project is innovative as fresh fruit bunch (FFB) dealers have an active role in providing smallholders access to good management techniques. So far, we have understood from smallholders that they recognize the benefits when the different stakeholders in the supply chain come together. They are interested to see how this arrangement will work out in the long run.” “We appreciate the fact that Cargill, a trusted supplier of sustainable agricultural goods, is focused on promoting sustainable palm oil production among independent smallholders. More customers are demanding traceable and sustainable palm oil, and we are glad that the independent components of the supply chain are working together through this program, for the common good of the industry,” said Stevan Tan, group executive director, Tian Siang Group. In Malaysia, there are close to 205,000 independent oil palm smallholders with a total planted area of 807,000 hectares (15 percent of Malaysia’s total oil palm planted area in 2014). These smallholders play a significant role in the rural development and economic progress of the country. About Cargill Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 152,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Community Partnership: Ensuring sustainable cocoa farming in Indonesia

By engaging multiple partners in its Cocoa Life program, Mondelez International supports farming communities in finding real solutions that lead to transformation and sustainability. A corporate approach allowing farmers to share their problems has become increasingly popular these days as companies want to make their community assistance programs run effectively. Through shared problems, such as infertile land, low yields and poor access to a market, for example, companies can design a program that meets the farmers’ needs, which they commonly undertake under their respective sustainability initiatives. Many companies, however, are apt to focus on one or two areas in regard to the relevant aid they give through an average three-year project. Its has led to the frequently raised question as to whether a program has a significant impact on the farming communities in the context of sustainability. Given the increasingly varied and complex issues facing farming communities, the right strategies and approach are therefore needed by companies to significantly contribute to a long-term impact on sustainable farming. This explains why global chocolate company, Mondelez International, is currently running Cocoa Life in six cocoa-producing countries, including Indonesia, with a holistic approach being adopted to support sustainable cocoa supply. Under the holistic approach, a range of concerns facing farming communities are handled through a focus on five pillars: farming, community, livelihood, youth and environment. Cocoa Life is a holistic sustainability program that reinforces the future of cocoa by empowering today’s farming communities and inspiring tomorrow’s cocoa generations. Globally, it started three years ago and in Indonesia, it kicked off in September 2013, with the program aimed at cocoa–farming communities in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Papua. Cocoa Life is part of the Call for Well-Being strategy - a platform that Mondelez International uses as a reference in running their business and ensuring environmental safety. “Call for Well-Being is the company’s commitment to marrying sustainability with company growth. This strategy helps Mondelez operate a more sustainable business, not only for us but also for the environment in countries where we operate,” said Mondelez Indonesia’s managing director Jiri Hejl. “As the world’s largest chocolate company, we are committed to supporting the success of Cocoa Life and helping ensure a qualified and sustainable cocoa supply.” Mondelez International’s Cocoa Program Development Manager for Southeast Asia, Andi Sitti Asmayanti (Yanti), explained that Cocoa Life aimed to strengthen and develop cocoa farmers in Indonesia and ensure sustainable cocoa by embracing young generations around farming sites to become the next farming generation. The 10-year program will run until 2022, targeting more than 200,000 farmers in the six countries, with more than 40,000 farmers in Indonesia. To reach the goal, Cocoa Life works based on three principles: holistic farmer centric, partnership and sourcing alignment. “Whatever we do with Cocoa Life is intended for farmers and should be seen from the standpoint of farmers, what they really want, so we do not apply top-down but a bottom-up approach in this regard,” said Yanti. According to Yanti, Mondelez, through its partners, is frequently engaged in a discussion with farmers and local governments in the respective provinces to learn their perspectives on what value Cocoa Life will have for farmers, and “certainly from our side what benefits farmers will reap from this program. From the standpoint of productivity, the farmers can adopt the knowledge they have gained to boost their output. We also provide much-needed fertilizer and other plant materials, etc.” With the current insignificant role of women in the life of farming communities, efforts should be made to empower women because they have a vital role in developing the next cocoa-farming generation. While, with regard to the environment, “the challenge is how to boost production without causing damage to the environment,” she said, adding that each pillar was interrelated. Multi-partners In implementing the program, Mondelez engages many partners to enable the program to develop and scale up sustainable cocoa supply so as to meet the objectives. Each pillar entails relevant expertise from the respective partners, which include local and international NGOs. By creating partnerships with communities, governments, national and international NGOs and supply-chain partners, “we can support Cocoa Life communities in finding real solutions that lead to measurable transformation,” the company says. “Partnerships are vital for best practice, sustainability, synergy and scale – they bring competence related to the program objectives – institutions and connectivity with our supply chain. We believe partnership is the key to lasting change,” it says. Apart from partners representing experts in the respective five pillars, the program is also being run in partnership with government bodies including the Ministry of Agriculture, Coordinating Economic Ministry and Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute. Yanti emphasized the importance of transparency in the program in the sense that the partners with their respective fields of expertise work to take a look at the existing issues based on their respective areas. “For example, at the level of adoption. They have to find out how the farmers do the farming and find the best ways of farming,” she said. She described farmers’ various problems and challenges in each targeted province following an assessment by its partner, CARE Indonesia, an international NGO whose key programmatic area of focus includes economic empowerment. When Cocoa Life entered Lampung, local cocoa farmers had abandoned their land, which they considered unproductive following the last yields of their cocoa trees that have a life span of between 25 and 30 years, but after receiving education under the Cocoa Life program, they began to realize that the area had more choices in terms of land for cocoa farming. “Based on input that they gave, they have frequently received training and so we assess the extent of the level of knowledge they have and we adjust our training to this level,” she said. “The biggest challenge in this regard is to invite them to join the program and see how the program can give added value to them.” While in Sulawesi, most farmers are already knowledgeable about cocoa agriculture and so “our great challenge is how to conduct training and at the same time adopt theory into practice on the ground. Room training is conducted for approximately seven days and the rest is direct training in the cocoa farms.” Each area is similar in terms of measuring activities through the key performance indicators (KPI) and the difference rests on the program focus, which will depend on the stakeholders, according to Yanti. Verification To ensure that Mondelez runs the program in a correct way, the program is subject to verification by an independent party after three years, apart from internal monitoring and annual evaluation. “A Harvard University team conducts research on the program to verify the program itself, whether it has an impact or not, without Mondelez’s intervention,” said Yanti, adding that they could publish their research results without Mondelez’s approval. According to CARE International Indonesia’s Country Director, Helen Vanwell, the independent verification of the program supports Cocoa Life’s commitment to the objectives and the KPI that have been set-out. “Verifying Cocoa Life’s impact on the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities, especially women and youth will build greater confidence to increase participation in the program and benefit more communities to join,” she pointed out. On the role that CARE Indonesia plays in the program, Vanwell said that while CARE looked at farming issues in the assessment, “our key focus was on communities including women and youth. Mondelez through its Cocoa Life program and CARE know that enabling resilient, thriving communities are essential foundations for sustainable cocoa thus benefiting all stakeholders including communities and providing shared value for all. “If for example there are no opportunities for youth in cocoa-livelihood opportunities, and to assist a cocoa community they leave, then cocoa farming will not survive,” she said. “Cocoa Life aims to identify livelihood opportunities and to assist cocoa communities in building communities that are desirable places to live including for young families.” “The Cocoa Life program is a good example of how global corporations like Mondelez can transform a business challenge around sustainability of their cocoa supply to provide development solutions that positively impact the lives of thousands of cocoa farmers in their supply chain,” she added. _________________________ Partners for Change This page is produced by The Jakarta Post in cooperation with Company-Community Partnerships for Health in Indonesia (CCPHI). It promotes best practices in corporate community partnerships. For more information, contact the Supplements & Supplemental Products section at supplement@thejakartapost.com. - See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/23/ensuring-sustainable-cocoa-farming-indonesia.html#sthash.X3fUPpnN.dpuf

Malaysia Sustainable Business TV Series Broadcast Premiere on BLOOMBERG TV

AMEA is exploring means of achieving sustainable industry in Malaysia  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Premiering this Saturday January 17th 10.00pm SG / 9.00pm JKT/BKK exclusively on Changing the Game: Creating Shared Value  Developing countries all over the world face a variety of socio-economic problems as they try to create sustainable growth.  This is never an easy path and always complex.   Malaysia too has faced huge challenges in recent years. However they have made great strides in nation-building, developing its economic growth and improving the quality of life of its people.     How will these needs be met?   Catch the exclusive regional broadcast Saturday December 17th at 10:00PM SG  9:00PM BKK/JKT time.  If you miss the broadcast..You can view on all our social media outlets and stay tuned for the details of the domestic broadcast on ASTRO AWANI! click here to view our videos on: http://www.vimeo.com/amea Want to get involved in any upcoming series? Contact us at - info@ameaintel.com or melaniekm@ameaintel.com   Sustainable Business TV highlights leading ‘game-changers’ that contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and communities and growth in their business.   The series of programs will discuss a plethora of critical topics involving Community, Social Business, Diversity, Women empowerment, highlighting corporations that have excelled in Job creation, Healthcare & Education, Nation Building, Greening of Malaysia. If YOUR corporation embodies these principles and you would like to find out more information call at +60 111 231 9835.   follow on Vimeo | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend | youtube | Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|**|END:IF|* *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Sustainability is Becoming a Key Part of Decision Making for Brands, Consumers

As consumer demand for greater transparency by brands increases, companies are stepping up their commitment to sustainability. 

 

Procter & Gamble is partnering with the Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation to help small farmers improve their palm oil and palm kernel oil production as part of its zero deforestation goals set in April after the consumer packaged-goods company was targeted by Greenpeace.

“We already work with larger suppliers to trace the origin of our supply chain, but small farmers—in places like Malaysia and Indonesia—account for 35 to 45 percent of palm oil production,” said Len Sauers, VP P&G Sustainability. 

But brands aren't the only ones having to make decisions with sustainability in mind. New tools and online tracking technologies aim to help better understand consumer behavior with respect to sustainability such as supercookies, browser fingerprinting, location-based identifiers and behavioral tracking.

In laboratories, research on “the neuroscience of consumer decision-making using implicit associations (people's subconscious responses to brands), EEG (a cap to measure brainwave activity), and fMRI techniques (to measure changes in neuron activity in the brain)” is advancing the understanding of “the conscious and sub-conscious processes driving emotional engagement," The Guardian reports. 

However, a majority of retailers and brands “still depend on simplistic surveys and focus groups to study sustainability concerns and commitments of consumers.” Like public television surveys of yore where “self-esteem” answers led to flawed results, "social desirability" on sustainability surveys similarly skews the data.

“While brands have been remarkably successful at feeding universal human drives, such as the desire for adventure, power or status, sustainability has not been seeing the same success in its messaging," the site notes. “What sustainability needs to create the same impact is a similar level of insight into the best way to embrace the full range of human emotions. Because it's human emotion that's at the heart of what motivates us.”

Practical tools in the marketplace like Ethical Barcode’s new app lets consumers access real-time data on companies that embrace their values on issues like child labor, animal testing and deforestation. 

More Sustainable Branding:

- Macy's is installing 17 free-to-operate vehicle (EV) charging stations outside of eight stores in the Los Angeles region by this fall, bringing the total to 33 EV charging stations in southern California. It's also installing energy-efficient LED bulbs in all Macy’s store nationwide by year’s end; 20 additional solar energy systems; and is working with vendors to reduce the use and waste of packaging materials, integrating recycled fibers into garment tags and using FCS-certified paper hangtags.

- The NHL, which just released its 2014 Sustainability Report, plans to reduce the use of natural resources in business operations while tracking and measuring the environmental impact of the sport. The League's carbon footprint—approximately 530,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually—compares favorably against annual emissions from the single largest coal power plant in the US at 23 million metric tons.

- Sustainability in the Tire Industry 2014 reports that green tires are driving the industry as legislation in the developed world demands “vehicle makers and their supply chains to minimize fuel consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases, and corporate brand managers are insisting on differentiation.”

- Hyatt Hotels is pursuing a benchmark for sustainability efforts among its competitors in the hospitality space. “You have to compare among peers and among the industry segment itself to make it meaningful," Hyatt Hotels CFO Gebhard Rainer told the Wall Street Journal. “We’re all releasing numbers and we’re all talking more and more about sustainability, but very often it is hard to get that tangible comparison and know what the benchmark is, or even how that relates to somebody else’s benchmark.” 

original article

Land Bank awarded most sustainable company in the Philippines

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The Sustainable Business Awards held for the first time in the Philippines recognised companies that excelled in energy management, waste and material productivity, environmental disclosure, and other responsible practices.

The Land Bank of the Philippines has clinched the top gong at the Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) held on Monday for the first time in the country.

Organised by Singapore-based events firm Global Initiatives and Price Waterhouse Cooper Philippines (PWC), the SBA selected Land Bank as the Best Overall Winner out of 22 companies that won awards at a ceremony held at Dusit Thani Manila, which was attended by over 100 guests.

Land Bank – a government-owned company that has a social mandate to boost rural development through credit assistance to farmers and fisher folk, among other services – also won for the climate change category for their progressive environmental policies and strong support for mitigation and adaptation projects. In 2013, they also extended over four billion pesos of loans to environmental and renewable energy projects, said the organisers.

They also stood out for their inclusive business models, innovative programmes, and for improving the livelihood of local communities, added the organisers.

“At Land Bank, sustainability is a shared responsibility. It is embedded in our programs, work processes, products and services, and it also extends to our clients and partners,” Gilda Pico, Land Bank president and CEO, told Eco-Business.

Land Bank, which began operating sustainably in 2010, has several CSR initiatives, such as the ‘Adopt a Watershed’ programme and Manila Bay clean-up efforts, and has also produced a sustainability report for 2012 and 2013, following the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative, said Pico.

Along with Land Bank, other winners included Honda Philippines for the supply chain management category and Nestlé Philippines for water management and waste and materials productivity.

The awards, which is also held in Indonesia and will launch in Singapore later this year, covers 10 categories across a comprehensive framework of environmental measures: strategy and vision; workforce; CSR in the community; energy management; water management; waste and materials productivity; climate change; supply chain management; land use, biodiversity and the environment; and, business responsibility and ethics.

“At Land Bank, sustainability is a shared responsibility. It is embedded in our programs, work processes, products and services, and it also extends to our clients and partners"

Gilda Pico, Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO

This framework was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders and global experts, said the organisers, adding that a quantitative review of companies’ environmental impacts, such as its carbon footprint or amount of waste generated, is important because what is measured is managed.

Gene Morales, PWC consulting director, explained that PwC worked with Global Initiatives to narrow down the prospective award participants by checking the 24-page questionnaire they each answered and by conducting a 30- to 60-minute phone interview with each participant to determine the existence of documents, procedures, and projects.

“Using the scoring framework provided by Global Initiatives and the results from the phone interviews, PWC rated the survey respondents. We then submitted an initial score that determined a short list,” Morales noted.

This list was provided to a National Advisory Panel, which is composed of eight members such as Hans Sicat, president and chief executive of the Philippines Stock Exchange and Philippine Senator Loren Legarda, who chairs the senate committees on environment and natural resources and climate change. The members of the panel, who gave insights and knowledge on the companies’ performance and reputation, finalised the list of winners with Global Initiatives.

Trucost, a London-headquartered natural capital accounting consultancy, also supported the organisers in the assessment of quantitative data and environmental measures.

According to the organisers, this allows companies to demonstrate that they are both aware of the scale of their environmental risks and are taking steps to manage them in a way that is data driven and systematic.

Chaoni Huang, Trucost head of business development in Asia, handed out the additional category award on environmental disclosure to Henkel, a multinational company in the home, beauty and adhesive industries that has been releasing sustainability reports globally since 1992.

The Sustainable Business Awards held on Monday in Manila took place on the first day of the co-located Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture, which drew over 150 local and international participants from the government, business, academe and civil society sectors.

Redefining the Philippine Golf Experience- Philippines

 To hardcore enthusiasts, golfing isn’t just a game, it’s a way of life. But it’s not for everybody. The cerebral demands of the sport are intensely unique in that you compete against yourself and are given time to think before you act. And like in any other sport, where you play makes a difference.

 

 

For golf, a well-designed course, which balances aesthetics with game challenge, is hard to come by, much less one that takes into consideration family-friendly amenities. This is why Anvaya Cove stands out.

Anvaya Cove is working to reinvent the traditional concept of leisure, and the development is now set to redefine the sport as it announces plans to introduce the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club. Nestled within Bataan’s coastline, the seaside leisure community combines panoramic views unique to the development and raises the bar of sustainable living with its globally recognized efforts.

Unique

“Anvaya Cove is a tangible representation of Ayala Land Premier’s thrust for environmental sustainability, and holds the distinction of being our first leisure community development,” says Antonio Aquino, President of Ayala Land Inc. “As pioneers, we are proud that Anvaya Cove sets the benchmark for sustainability without taking anything away from the unique, recreational experience that it can provide for its growing community.”

Set in a location where the mountains meet the sea, Anvaya Cove offers a diverse mix of residential offerings—from a range of lot sizes, leisure townhomes and low-rise condominium units, all anchored on the tenets of sustainable leisure and complemented by exceptional amenities designed to cater to many interests and needs.

“Bataan’s unique coastline definitely adds to Anvaya Cove’s distinctiveness, and every feature within Anvaya Cove was built to Cheighten this experience,” says Aquino.

For this reason, Anvaya Cove is now extending its expertise in sustainable development and understanding of premier seaside living with the introduction of the development’s first, all-weather, 18-hole, championship course, clearly marking its potential to be ranked alongside the best golf courses in the world.

Green Golf

True to its thrust for sustainability, the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is designed to adhere to the same stringent set of sustainability guidelines that has allowed Anvaya Cove to be recognized worldwide.

It is done in partnership with Golf Plan, a world-renowned design firm specializing in sustainable golf course development.

For the golf aficionado, the 18-hole course offers an opportunity to enjoy a much-loved sport amid the grand vistas that only Anvaya Cove’s mountain or sea course can offer. Beginners and enthusiasts on the other hand, are provided an opportunity to learn and experience the game with the dedicated junior and ladies’ tees. The carefully planned course caters to varying skills and expertise ensuring a new challenge with each, and will be complemented by a driving range facility where golfers and newbies can refine their game or learn the sport, respectively.

“Beyond the majestic views and landscapes is of course the intent to give families a distinct place where they can enjoy time with loved ones,” adds Mike Jugo, Project Head of Anvaya Cove. The Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is also set to offer an expansive venue for recreation that will offer something for every member of the family. These include diverse dining experiences set to be enjoyed across expansive golf verandas, top-rate recreational and sports amenities including an expansive pool complex, sports courts, game room, a gym and fitness room.

CSR approach in Oil & Gas Indonesia

Total Indonesia is involved in sustainable community empowerment and capacity building actions in the areas of education and research, health and nutrition, local economic empowerment, environment and alternative energies. These endeavours are consistent with Total’s commitment to answer the challenges of sustainable development.

Total’s commitment in the country is further exemplified through its manpower program, with an extensive plan to develop national manpower and high level national managers through training and international assignments, as well as career developments for new recruits. Total also continues to enlarge partnerships with national businesses and significantly enhance employment, which is currently estimated at 20,000 full time jobs on its industrial sites.

One of its CSR programs in East Kalimantan opens doors for local food and other products, increases the usage of local materials and also job opportunities for local people.

The CSR approach has changed over the years from giving handouts to needy recipients to giving them a helping hand in realizing their potential.

“We’ve been through an evolution when it comes to CSR. The former approach called for philanthropy, basically sponsorships. But now, we’ve moved on to the concept of creating sustainable development,” says Kusuma Adinugroho, head of the Sustainable Development and Societal Relations Division at Total E&P Indonesia.

Among the company’s CSR strategies are programs in economic empowerment, education, health, environment and alternative energy as well as cultural.