BIODIVERSITY & LAND MANAGEMENT Upstream agriculture industries invariably operate in areas that have diverse ecosystems to which they have a responsibility to protect and preserve these ecosystems’ equilibrium. At FGV, we recognise our responsibility towards biodiversity and conservation in areas where we operate. We put a strong focus on minimising negative impact on the ecosystems surrounding our operations to ensure they have an environment to thrive in. Our plantations are located in Malaysia and Indonesia which are also home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity. As environmental stewards, we have a solemn responsibility to protect this biodiversity, taking great pains to avoid human-wildlife conflicts in areas we operate, identify high conservation zones (HCV) and institute measures to protect these zones including through wildlife conservation programmes. FGV ensures that there will be no new development on HCV areas that includes natural forest reserve, primary forest, protection areas and other areas with social concerns. Additionally, FGV conducts high carbon stock assessments based on high carbon stock approach (HCSA) in determining new areas for oil palm development. Drainability assessment will be conducted to ascertain the viability of replanting in cultivated peatland and ensure that natural buffers are maintained to mitigate flooding and restore the hydrological function where peatlands are planted. We also mandate environment protection for our suppliers, all of whom are required to adhere to our NDPE policy. EFFICIENT USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES In addition to reducing environmental impact, we practice efficient use of natural resources which also make good business sense. The following initiative drives home this point: Embracing the circular economy, we optimise on palm biomass to produce green biogas, leverage fronds, empty fruit bunches and trunks as organic fertilisers, reducing our use of inorganic fertilisers and repurpose kernel expellers into animal feed as an additional source of revenue. In addition, we also pursue strict waste management and water management practices to reduce utilisation of these valuable natural resources 121 CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020/2021
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