RGE and its business groups have for 50 years strived to become more sustainable; it was to honour this endeavour via the RGE Forestry, Fibre, Pulp, and Paper Sustainability Framework launched in 2015. Since then, the framework has been adopted and adapted in every aspect of its operations. Two years on, the framework remains at the heart of all that RGE does. Here’s a look back at the progress made in the past year:

Two APRIL sustainability-led initiatives were recognised at the recent Indonesia Green Awards 2017. Organised by The La Tofi School of CSR, the Indonesia Green Awards celebrates initiatives and achievements in environmental stewardship in Indonesia.

One of 31 companies shortlisted for this year’s event, APRIL took home awards in the "Biodiversity Development and Energy Efficiency” and "New and Renewable Energy Development” categories for its achievements in species investment in the Kampar Pensinula as part of the Restorasi Ekosistem Riau programme and for its renewable energy development through biomass programmes respectively.

Apical, one of the largest exporters of palm oil in Indonesia, continued its long-standing commitment towards creating sustainable and traceable palm oil supply lines when it recently hosted the Apical Shared Value Programme in Medan. Signaling robust interest, this year’s edition saw a total of 38 participants, up from 33 last year. Participants comprised business owners, commercial heads, and leaders in sustainability.

At an industry conference attended by government leaders from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia as well as senior executives from banks, institutional investors, NGOs and the corporate sectors, Kelvin Tio, Managing Director of Asian Agri shared the palm oil company's 30-year journey in working with smallholders and substantially raising their standards of living through the partnership.

The Eco Green Park is a new learning space for students of Sekolah Global Andalan PT RAPP Estate Logas. It is is co-located with a forest, and features a host of learning resources designed to trigger the students’ curiosity about the fascinating world of forestry. These resources include a green house, a compost production house and learning huts.

APRIL Group recently participated in a forum to mark the release of Eco-Business’ Global Sustainability Pulse Survey and profiled the sustainability journey of a range of companies as a canvas for discussion. Represented by Agung Laksamana, Director of Corporate Affairs, APRIL was invited to share a macro perspective of the company’s sustainability journey, touching on challenges and opportunities encountered by the forestry sector overall.