Kishore Mahbubani: Reflections on RGE
Kishore Mahbubani is Dean and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. He previously served...
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APRIL Group has introduced new measures to ensure deforestation is completely eliminated from its supply chain through its Sustainable Forest Management Policy (SFMP) 2.0 which represents a renewed commitment to long-term sustainability of forest in Indonesia.
The Policy marks a major step in APRIL Group’s 15-year commitment to sustainability. APRIL Group:
APRIL Group’s President, Praveen Singhavi shares his thoughts on the announcement:
This is about elimination of deforestation from our supply chain and builds on our longstanding commitment to conservation. We are delivering on conservation, social and economic benefits for Indonesia and a sustainable future for the company and our customers.
Joe Lawson, APRIL Group’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) Chairman:
We welcome the inputs to this policy from a broad range of stakeholders. APRIL Group has made significant progress. The SAC will continue to ensure APRIL Group’s practices on the ground match its policy commitments.
SFMP 2.0 consolidates measures for monitoring and verifying policy adherence, with regular progress reports and third party review of its implementation. It is also aligned with RGE’s (Royal Golden Eagle) overarching conservation commitment, spelt out in RGE’s Sustainability Framework for its forestry, fibre, pulp and paper companies.
SFMP 2.0 is well-received and is seen by NGOs as a major step towards protecting Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands. Greenpeace Forest Campaign in Indonesia Head Bustar Maitar commended APRIL Group for ending deforestation, and that the commitment is “the way forward for plantation companies in Indonesia.” World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also welcomed the SFMP 2.0, which it sees as an “encouraging step along the pathway towards responsible and sustainable production.”