RGE

Ten years of safeguarding forests and empowering villages to prevent and combat forest fires. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), a part of APRIL Group, held a Coordination Meeting with 52 Forest Protection Rangers across five districts, conducting trainings on fire monitoring and suppression skills, community agricultural self-sufficiency, and developing a mindset of forest and land protection in their villages. “I joined the Forest Protection Ranger Programme because my child was affected by Acute Respiratory Infection caused by forest and land fires,” shared Ihsan Kusnaidi, a Ranger from Langgam Village, Pelalawan. “That’s what moves me to be part of the ranger team.” The ranger team is a symbol of the positive synergy shared between the company and the community in the shared goal of maintaining forest sustainability. Up to 2024, RAPP has partnered with 42 villages in Riau Province, covering over 902,870 hectares of ground. Along the way, the programme has developed from a fire prevention team to a conservation programme that monitors logging, poaching, air quality, and holds conversations with the community on the dangers of land burning. After participating in the Coordination Meeting, the Rangers will be relaying the new information and techniques to their respective villages and communities, bringing full circle the goal of realising zero fires, not just for today, but for future years to come. #APRIL #APRIL2030 #RAPP #ZeroFires #FireFreeVillageProgramme 

Sateri and Conservation International, a global non-profit dedicated to protecting nature, have started work on the third phase of the Poyang Lake Ecosystem Restoration Initiative. This new phase will help to restore the largest freshwater lake in China by integrating carton neutrality efforts within the region. Since 2019, this partnership has protected over 473,000 hectares across Poyang Lake, safeguarding the natural habitats of 350 wildlife species, including the critically endangered finless porpoise and the Siberian crane. The protection of Poyang Lake benefits 25,000 local community members through livelihood support and environmental education programmes. In line with Sateri’s 2030 goals, the third phase will focus on research on the Freshwater Health Index of the basin, protection and restoration of small wetlands, climate change mitigation and adaptation for resilience. “This initiative has truly enhanced biodiversity conservation and ecological education,” says Zhang Cheng, programme Director of Conservation International China. “It demonstrates the value of collaborative approaches in balancing ecological protection with human well-being.” “At the heart of our operations lies a commitment to the bioeconomy, where we aim to protect the natural resources we use,” says Cai Zhichao, Vice President of Operations at Sateri, emphasising the joint nature of the initiative’s objectives and the company’s long-term sustainability goals. “We accomplish this through innovation, advanced technology, and low-carbon practices.” Read more about the launch of the third phase here: https://lnkd.in/gvbgtQCd #Sateri #ConservationInternational #PoyangLake #Conservation #ConservationStartsHere 

“Sustainability isn’t just informing our business strategy, but really driving it.” APRIL Group’s Director of Sustainability and External Affairs Lucita Jasmin gives an update on the integration of sustainability goals with business objectives. At APRIL’s flagship brand, PaperOne, sustainability is regarded as a priority at every step of the business funnel: from a total ban on deforestation across the group and from suppliers, to building trust with stakeholders through engagement with NGOs, local communities, technical experts, and the government. Read on for updates on how PaperOne is transforming operations and diversifying high value downstream products, offering planet-friendly solutions with sustainability in mind. #PaperOne #BoardOne #APRIL #SustainabilityStartsHere #BioeconomyStartsHere 

“The more you give, the more you have”   Stretching from October to December in a series of events, Kerinci’s RGE Founder’s Day 2024 celebrations centred around the idea of giving back to the community, a long-standing value held by our Chairman.   In events that brought together employees from RAPP, a member of APRIL Group, Asia Pacific Rayon (APR), contractors, and local communities, the celebration in Kerinci underscores our deep commitment to community building, sustainability, and human rights. From health screenings and immunisation campaigns for local children, to tree-planting and educational outreach across four villages in Riau, these activities embody RGE’s core philosophy. The events were attended by local officials, including Pelalawan Regent H. Zukri.   “Having these services available right in our community is incredibly helpful,” says Rima Gusniati, a local mother who participated in the immunisation programme, noting that the initiative brought accessibility to multiple families and generations.   “We recognise that our business success is deeply connected to the well-being of the communities in which we operate,” says Eduward Ginting, COO of APRIL. “By giving back, we not only uphold human rights, but also ensure the long-term sustainability of our operations.”   As the RGE Founder’s Day programmes at Kerinci wind down at the close of the year, RGE remains steadfast in its mission to create lasting, positive impact within communities. With a continued emphasis on education, health, and sustainability, we are committed to our goal of creating value for both business and society. #FoundersDay #Community #Sustainability #Education

Lucita Jasmin, Group Sustainability Director of RGE, spoke at the IUCN Leaders Forum in Geneva on the funding gap hindering nature-based investments, and how partnerships within local communities can help to bridge that difference. The session, “Investing in Nature,” brought together global leaders in sustainability including Daudi Sumba, Chief Conservation Officer of WWF, Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board & Governing Council of the European Central Bank, Judson Berkey, Managing Director of UBS’s Sustainability Office, Mohlago Flora Mokgohloa, Deputy Director General of the Biodiversity And Conservation Department Of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment South Africa, and Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE. Nature-positive business opportunities are estimated to generate more than USD 4 trillion by 2030. However, there remains a gap between potential projects and investor expectations. The private sector is uniquely positioned to help local communities develop healthy and bankable business models by supplying long-term resourcing and technical expertise, and demonstrating the commercial viability of their proposed projects. Effective conservation is a team effort, one that relies on partnerships and collaboration. RGE’s Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) Programme that works closely with the government and local communities is one such example. Read more on how RGE balances economic development with safeguarding natural infrastructure along with our community partners: https://lnkd.in/gvBH2M4X #ConservationStartsHere #SustainabilityStartsHere #IUCN 

Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefkly Harsya, visited Asia Pacific Rayon (APR)’s operations at Riau complex to see first-hand the creative developments from resident local entrepreneurs. From culinary arts, crafts, to fashion, these drivers of creativity contribute to an alternative, border-transcending economy. “We hope this collaboration is a model for other regions in Indonesia,” the minister said, commending APR for building a space and system for “government, businesses, universities, media, associations, and financial institutions to work together to grow the creative economy in rural areas.” From planting eucalyptus saplings to handling viscose fibre that transforms into runway-ready outfits, read on to see highlights from the minister’s visit. #Creativity #Partnerships #APR2030

John Pereira, Deputy Head of Operations at Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER), shares his thoughts on the crucial role of collaboration in conservation. RER is an APRIL project launched in 2013, focused on conservation and restoration on Sumatra's Kampar Peninsula. Encompassing more than 150,000 hectares, RER is a sanctuary for 893 species of flora and fauna including the Sumatran tiger, the Sunda pangolin, and the Bornean river turtle. Yet success cannot solely be contributed to the RER team; it is a result of strategic partnerships between the local communities, NGOs, research institutions, and the Indonesian government. John believes the private sector has a crucial role to play in conservation, and that long-term sustainability is dependent on integrating biodiversity protection concepts and regulations into everyday business operations. Conservation initiatives are most effective when collaboration drives them forward: it’s a team sport. Read more of his insights on the challenges and impacts of collaborative conservation efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gzQZCpbk  #SustainabilityStartsHere #ConversationStartsHere #RER

In celebration of Afro fashion, culture, and identity, Bracell has teamed up with intrepid fashion designers and the genius seamstresses of COOPECIR Uniform Factory to deliver a jaw-dropping viscose outfit, all ready for the runway. Watch the outfit come to life with the help of the passionate team at the Uniform Factory, a social project sponsored by Bracell to empower black women of Bahia. In this second episode, get right up close to the catwalk of Afro Fashion Day, the largest black fashion event in Salvador, Brazil. #AfroFashionDay #Bracell #WomenEmpowerment #Viscose #Teamwork 

We are proud to announce that Sateri’s lyocell production facility in Changzhou, China, has been awarded the Science and Technology Progress Award, First Prize, by the China Textile Industry Federation. A natural fibre made from wood pulp, lyocell is easily biodegradable and compostable. Sateri’s Changzhou facilities enhance manufacturing efficiencies while producing sustainable products, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in both operations and products. This win underlines Sateri’s goal toward net-zero emissions with environmentally-friendly fabrics. Read more about lyocell here: https://lnkd.in/eEWAvXHi #SustainabilityStartsHere #Sateri #Lyocell #Innovation 

Brad Sanders, Head of Operations at Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER), spoke at a policy dialogue hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat in partnership with CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research last week. Sharing updates on RER progresses in the last decade, Brad details how science and best practice in forestry and land management can come together to serve the climate, nature, and people. Read on about how the RER project has achieved zero fire incidents, limited encroachment, and steady increase in number of species in an area of forest on the coast of Sumatra roughly the size of greater London. #RER #APRIL2030 #Sustainability #Conservation