PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT SEC 4 100 OUR APPROACH We remain committed to upholding our No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation (NDPE) Policy, ensuring the protection of High Carbon Stock (HCS) areas across our supply chain, including our operational sites in Malaysia and abroad. Our policy encompasses the following principles: Moreover, we enforce environmental protection measures for our suppliers, mandating compliance with our NDPE policy. Additionally, we invest in awareness and educational initiatives, conducted in partnership with government agencies and NGOs. We actively participate in various conservation projects. Encounters with wildlife in or near our operating areas are not uncommon. In such instances, we collaborate with local wildlife authorities to rescue, rehabilitate and facilitate the safe return of these animals to their natural habitats, ensuring their well-being is preserved. Our approach to biodiversity and land management is guided by the Group Sustainability Policy (GSP), our Sustainability Framework and RSPO and MSPO certification systems. These certifications are essential to mitigating organisational risks, including regulatory, operational and reputational risks. Efficient use of natural resources Managing environmental impacts No deforestation and planting on peat areas Protecting HBV and HCV areas No open burning or use of fire Water management Waste management Addressing climate change Limitations on the use of hazardous chemicals and agrochemicals PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Over the years, we have implemented efforts to conserve and protect various wildlife such as the Pygmy Elephants in Sabah and our Sun Bear Conservation Programme in Peninsular Malaysia. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Sun Bear Conservation Programme (SBCP) The SBCP focuses on safeguarding the ecosystems and habitats of endangered, rare and threatened species. Our five-year SBCP began in 2015 and was the first of its kind in Peninsular Malaysia and has been extended for an additional three years starting from 2020. Under this initiative, FGV prioritised wildlife conservation, through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured or displaced Malayan Sun Bears, in collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society, the Department of Wildlife National Parks Peninsular Malaysia and the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Together, we have developed essential documents such as ‘Guidelines in Managing Sun Bear in Captivity’, ‘Guidelines on Conflict Management for Sun Bear’ and ‘Malayan Sun Bear Conservation Action Plan’, these documents serve as valuable references for various stakeholders. In 2022, we also expanded our programme to include pygmy elephants, gibbons and pangolins, and we are considering the creation of similar guidelines for these species. Resolving Pygmy Elephant Conflict in Sabah A multi-faceted approach is crucial to mitigate human-wildlife conflict which has led to the deaths of Pygmy Elephants caused by habitat loss and poaching activities. With an estimated population of 1,000 to 1,500 in Sabah, these incidents indirectly impacted ecotourism and the reputation of the Malaysian palm oil industry. To tackle the issue, FGV collaborated with FELDA, MPOC and the Sabah Wildlife Department to conduct a workshop on human-wildlife conflict in Tawau Sabah in November 2019, discussing solutions to enhance habitat enrichment and improve wildlife conflict management. In 2020, our plantation workers in Sabah successfully rescued four Pygmy Elephants, contributing to the conservation of this endangered species, which is estimated to have only around 2,000 individuals left in the wild.
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