One Million Trees In 10 Years

Johor Plantations Group Berhad (JPG), in collaboration with Yayasan JCorp and Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (PSHBTS), planted 1,000 mangrove trees at Pulau Tanjung Surat, Kota Tinggi, Johor, to restore and preserve the mangrove ecosystem along the coast. This initiative is part of JPG’s “One Million Roots for the Future” (1MRFF) campaign, in line with its commitment to protect biodiversity and the ecosystem.

This is the second year JPG is doing this initiative, with the ultimate goal of planting one million trees in 10 years to promote environmental sustainability and encourage active stewardship of natural resources and biodiversity.

This joint initiative between JPG and Yayasan JCorp is in line with their parent organisation Johor Corporation (JCorp)’s purpose of being custodians of nature’s resources by nurturing and safeguarding them for future generations so that they can continue to reap the benefits.

“As a responsible operator, our environmental management practices aim to minimise environmental impacts and focus on conserving our nation’s natural habitats. Our Tree Planting programme under the 1MRFF aims to plant one million trees, including in critical areas to improve the sites’ ecosystems, such as our precious mangrove swamps, by creating habitats for a wide range of marine and terrestrial species, as well as managing the water quality in those areas. From 2023 to 2033, our target is to plant this number of trees both internally and in collaboration with like-minded stakeholders, contributing to carbon dioxide sequestered from the atmosphere and helping mitigate climate change,” said Mohd Faris Adli Shukery, Managing Director of Johor Plantations Group Berhad.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan JCorp, Zaidatul Zurita Abdul Rahman, stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with JPG on this important initiative. It aligns perfectly with our ESG goals of creating a better life by fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for local communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to JPG for partnering with us to ensure the success of this programme. We eagerly anticipate future collaborations that will further enhance the environmental and social well-being of our community.”

She continued, “Additionally, in this programme, Yayasan JCorp contributed RM3,000 to the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of SK Tanjung Surat. This contribution is aimed at supporting students in need, providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to enhance their educational experience.

Meanwhile, PSHBPTS, comprised of local community members concerned about threats to their mangroves and ecosystems, plays a crucial role in this mangrove conservation campaign by overseeing conservation programmes, including mangrove planting activities, and maintaining a mangrove nursery in Tanjung Surat.

The mangrove trees also play an important role in preventing soil erosion, act as a natural buffer to protect the area from storms and absorb carbon dioxide from the environment to address the problems of global warming.

This initiative also has spillover economic and social benefits to the local population in Pulau Tanjung Surat by being a location for eco-tourism, a sustainable source of timber and non-timber products, as well as charcoal, firewood, and piling poles for construction. Many fisheries products can also be harvested from the mangrove ecosystem including many shrimp species, edible mud crabs and gastropods, supporting local fisheries and biodiversity in the area.

Mohd Faris also explained that to achieve JPG’s target of 50% carbon emission reduction by 2025 based on its 2012 baseline, it has short-term and long-term programmes in place that include the integration of waste and pollution management and the production of renewable energy. As of 2023, it has successfully reduced 48% of carbon emission intensity, equivalent to 0.92 MT of CO2e, well on its way to achieving its 2025 target as well as its 2050 Net Zero carbon emissions goal.

JPG is taking the lead to champion the industry’s ESG practices from seed to Crude Palm Oil and Palm Kernel production. It is actively working to close the loop in circularity and create a clean, efficient and regenerative ecosystem that minimises waste and maximises output. To this end, JPG has several active initiatives besides its tree planting initiative.

To ensure that its supply chain complies with its “No Deforestation, No New Development on Peat and No Exploitation of People and Local Communities” (NDPE) Policy, JPG utilises an open-source platform to closely monitor deforestation in its supply base.

Since 2011, JPG has also established programmes to actively monitor and maintain wildlife corridors that link natural habitats within its estates, thus allowing for the free movement of animals, which is important for their survival. Its Biodiversity Policy prohibits hunting, fishing and taking of fauna within the estate and adjacent areas. JPG established buffer zones around major water bodies and forest reserves with regular inspection to monitor the status of wildlife on its estates. JPG collaborates with several organisations on anti-poaching operations as well.