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One year on: APRIL Group records milestones with APRIL2030 commitment
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(Courtesy of APRIL Group’s)
O
ne year after launching its APRIL2030 commitment in November 2020, sustainable pulp and paper producer Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL Group) has recorded several milestones in its contribution to sustainability and carbon neutrality.
Under its four pillars, Climate Positive, Thriving Landscapes, Inclusive Progress, and Sustainable Growth, the APRIL2030 commitment focuses on providing positive contributions and solutions toward the climate, environment and community while also growing as a sustainable company.
In a recent press conference, Sihol Aritonang, president director of Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), the operating arm of APRIL Group, said the APRIL2030 commitment was in line with the government's priority to achieve a long-term strategy on carbon neutrality and climate endurance.
“[APRIL2030] also answers the global consensus on the importance of the private sector in climate change mitigation. Taking this into account, APRIL has run a number of strategies to control our own emissions,” he said.
During the course of the year, APRIL has optimized the use of renewable energy through the construction of solar panels as part of the Climate Positive pillar, which supports the company’s commitment to lowering carbon emissions and utilizing 90 percent renewable energy for its factory needs.
To date, APRIL has completed a 1 megawatt (MW) solar panel installation in the company’s operational area in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau. When the project is fully operational by 2025, APRIL will be a private sector company with one of the largest solar panels in Indonesia at a total of 20 MW.
“This solar panel construction project could not have been done without the help of the government, especially the Environment and Forestry Ministry, which has permitted us to build the solar panel on a closed landfill,” Sihol explained, adding that the company had also provided two electric buses for employee mobility to pioneer low-carbon transportation in its operational areas.
Meanwhile, as part of its Thriving Landscapes pillar, APRIL has constructed a research laboratory at an eco-camp facility that will support sustainable research on tropical peatlands. APRIL is also continuing its forest restoration and conservation activities in the company’s and its partners’ concession areas, including Restorasi Ekosistem Riau, the largest restoration project in Sumatra.
“Our commitment in conservation and restoration is in line with the government’s target in FOLU Net Sink — achieving net sink from the forestry sector and other land uses by 2030 so that Indonesia can reach its zero carbon emission targets by 2060 or faster.”
On a community level, APRIL has realized its Inclusive Progress pillar through a range of transformative initiatives in increasing healthcare services, education, gender equality and poverty eradication around its operational areas. It also has increased its support to 112 additional schools to reach a total of 172 supported schools, which includes a number of schools outside of a 50 kilometer radius from the company's operational areas.
APRIL partnered with SMERU to complete a basic analysis on the best approaches toward reducing stunting and poverty rates as part of a collaboration with local government administrations.
Another partnership with the Tani Foundation supports local farmers around its operational areas to develop effective production planning during farming activities through training programs.
For its Sustainable Growth pillar, APRIL has introduced a range of special projects to reduce water usage and increase wastewater recycling by 2021, lime reclamation to maximize limestone usage, as well as new technology in the pulp-washing process to maximize soda reusability.
This article is joint collaboration with The Jakarta Post and APRIL Group
