Business & Climate Summit 2016: APRIL Fights Emissions

RGE Vice-Chairman Bey Soo Khiang participated in a panel discussion at the Business & Climate Summit 2016 in London. Themed “Achieving climate-positive land use in agriculture & forestry – the role of business”, the June 28 session was organised by the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020.

Moderated by Jim Leape (Consulting Professor, Stanford University), the panel focused on how the agriculture and forestry industries are working towards reducing emissions. Leading private sector companies shared actions they have taken to realising climate-positive growth opportunities in the industry.

Mr Bey, who is also APRIL Group Chairman, speaks at 34:35 – 42:07 and 1:27:00 of the video below.

APRIL’s Sustainability Journey: Of Steps and Strides

Mr Bey shares the range of efforts and programmes undertaken by APRIL to reduce emissions.

Mr Bey spoke extensively on APRIL’s approaches to reducing emissions. APRIL made great strides as a sustainable business last year. This includes its use of 100% plantation fibre for paper production, its commitment to not undertake any development on peat lands, and its progress in its 1:1 commitment to restore or conserve one hectare of high conservation value forest for every hectare of plantation developed.

Working with independent committees and experts in sustainability, peat and restoration have allowed APRIL to make steps toward adopting a science-based approach to sustainable plantation management.

The panel and audience learned how APRIL leverages the protection-production model to create a ring concept plantation, in which high conservation value forests are surrounded by a protective buffer of plantation forests, preventing illegal encroachment and damage.

“Prevention” in the Protection-Production Model

Mr Bey added that APRIL has been turning its focus on fire prevention to strengthen the protection-production model. He cited the Fire-Free Village Programme and Fire-Free Alliance, which are collaborative and grounded in community engagement. The positive results of the pioneer edition of the Fire-Free Village Programme has led a upscaling of efforts and increase in stakeholders united in fire prevention.

The role that a business plays in reducing emissions is important for the industry and country. As private companies display initiative and demonstrate sustainable business leadership, they can develop the best practices and share them within and across industries – such has been the case with APRIL.