[ ] 50 Steering corporate leadership and action by taking a multifaceted approach to protecting forests, building up communities and achieving a net-zero world by 2050 Letchumi Achanah, Head of Strategic Engagement and Advocacy Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas COP26 concluded with 200 countries agreeing to the Glasgow Climate Pact and reaffirming the Paris Agreement goal to limit the increase in the global temperature to 1.5C All signatory nations stressed the urgency for concerted action to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per cent in order to be net zero by 2050. This global ambition can only be achieved through a collaboration between the private and public sector. Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas, one of Indonesia’s largest pulp and paper producers, realized this early on as it developed one of the sector’s most ambitious sustainability policies, aligning itself with both the Indonesian government and global sustainability targets. The Indonesian government has committed to reduce 29 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and said it could potentially increase this to 41 per cent by 2030. However, the government added that this is subject to the availability of international support for finance, technological development and capacity building. The Indonesian archipelago is home to the third-largest rainforest reserve in the world and has pledged to reach carbon neutrality in its forest sector by 2030. To achieve that goal, the Indonesian Government is prioritizing realistic, fair and appropriate treatment of its deforestation issue. Indonesia has also taken significant steps in land use to reduce emissions by instituting a moratoriumon the clearing of primary forests, reducing deforestation and forest degradation, restoring ecosystem functions and other strategies to sustainably manage its forests. In reflection of the Indonesian Government’s plan towards sustainable development, APP has pledged to contribute towards the sustainable management of Indonesia’s forests through its Sustainability Roadmap Vision (SRV) 2020, which was originally deployed in 2012 and became the framework for the company’s sustainability strategy. The SRV sets out 10 key impact areas that are relevant to APP’s stakeholders across its business and supply chain, with ambitious targets for each of them. As a company that is heavily dependent on renewable resources for its pulp and paper production, APP believes it is also important to conserve and protect forests for future generations. Under its Forest Conservation Policy, established in 2013, more than half a million hectares of forests from Sumatra, Indonesia, to Kalimantan, Borneo, have been set aside for conservation. That represents more than 20 per cent of the total concession areas managed by APP and its suppliers. While APP has achieved the majority of its targets set out in SRV 2020, it wants to expand the scope of its commitments to sustainability. Hence, SRV 2030 was created. It covers an increased range of issues that are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. SRV 2030 focuses on three main areas related to the pulp and paper industry: Production, Forest and People. It includes how APP aims to produce less carbon-emitting products, sources materials from responsibly managed plantations and contributes to the welfare of the local communities. To achieve this new goal, APP is upgrading and implementing measures at all its production facilities to improve processes, reduce energy and water intensity, and ensure that solid waste does not make its way to landfills. The company is also advancing its product innovations to meet market demands, as well as protect the environment. APP’s endeavour is making significant progress, having already cut carbon intensity by 29 per cent, in comparison to 2012. All of APP’s upgraded factories are more efficient, cutting energy intensity by 14 per cent and water intensity by 30 per cent. Overall, waste was reduced by 47 per cent, exceeding APP’s target of a 25 per cent waste reduction. However, APP is not just focused on developing roadmaps and setting targets. APP is intent on implementing programmes that will contribute towards sustainable development goals and Indonesia’s emission-reduction target of reaching net zero by 2050. Two flagship efforts focus on curtailing deforestation, protecting communities and restoring natural habitats and restore ecosystems. Leveraging on and investing in cutting-edge technology, and forging community partnerships are two examples of APP’s efforts to build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure to avoid the loss of homes, livelihoods and the A Bet ter Wor ld
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