Bumitama Agri Ltd.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2015-2016, 2019-2020, 2021-2022)
Reporting Period: 2015-2016
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Forest conservation and sustainable land use
- Respect for local community rights
- Respect for human rights in the workplace
- Traceability and responsible sourcing
Environmental Achievements
- Phased out paraquat in 2016
- Estimated an emissions intensity of 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of CPO produced (1.6 MT CO2e/MT CPO) in 2016
- 22% reduction in water consumption at mills over five years
- 40,000 natural forest species nursery established for reforestation
Social Achievements
- Distributed IDR 207 billion (around USD 1.5 million) in dividends to plasma smallholders in 2016
- Employee turnover decreased dramatically over the last five years (from 49.9% in 2012 to 17.1% in 2016)
- Launched a new employee orientation programme and introduced team-building activities
- Established the Bumitama Academy in 2014 for enhanced recruitment, competence development and leadership development
Governance Achievements
- Received seven Asiamoney Awards in 2016 for corporate governance, disclosure and transparency, and corporate social responsibility
- Implemented an enhanced grievance procedure in 2015
- Board of Directors approved a detailed Code of Conduct in late 2014
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce accident rates by 40%
- Complete construction of two methane capture facilities by end of 2018
- Complete survey and mapping of independent smallholders supplying FFB by end of 2017
- Complete RSPO certification of all mills by 2020
- Complete RSPO certification for all plasma smallholder schemes by 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Constant quest to prevent and control fires in and around operations
- Need to enhance productivity of existing land holdings
- Complexity and time-consuming nature of RSPO NPP processes
- Increasing accident rates in 2015-2016
Mitigation Strategies
- Established a command and control centre for fire emergencies, increased pond water conservation, improved accessibility to water sources, partnered with Manggala Agni for training
- Investing in R&D, including tissue culture, and good agricultural practices to achieve better yields
- Working to streamline RSPO processes
- Forming a dedicated task force to reduce workplace accidents and eradicate fatalities, incorporating measures into estate management KPIs
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- FFB traceability initiative
- No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy
- Code of Conduct for employees and contractors
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme drought and fire
- Flooding
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Methane capture for electricity generation
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option (2016 version), RSPO
Certifications: RSPO (4 mills in 2016), ISPO (KMB in 2014, GKG & GKS in 2017), ISO 9001:2008 (Pundu Learning Centre)
Awards & Recognition
- Seven Asiamoney Awards in 2016
Reporting Period: 2019-2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Forest conservation and sustainable land use
- Respect for local community rights
- Respect for human rights in the workplace
- Traceability and responsible sourcing
Environmental Achievements
- Managing 39,310 ha of conservation areas (16.8% of total land bank)
- 81.4% of total planted area is free from rodenticide
- Vegetation gain of 2,091 ha in 2020, with less than 42 ha of forest lost
- Avoided 10% of total POME GHG emissions through co-composting
Social Achievements
- COVID-19 business continuity plan implemented
- Two plasma smallholder groups RSPO certified (1,899 ha)
- Established a fish farming SME to support Mitra Bahaum plasma programme cooperative
- Improved the nutritional intake of local children
Governance Achievements
- Expanded the group to include a new conservation department
- Reorganised the fire management team
- Launched the Triple Zero Target Programme (TZTP) for 2021-2025
Climate Goals & Targets
- Zero fires inside concession areas by 2023
- 75% reduction in accident rates against 2020 baseline by 2025
- Achieve 30% reduction in GHG intensity by 2030
- Annual deforestation in set-aside areas < 0.1%; Forest cover increase by 10% by 2025
- RSPO certification for all plasma and external smallholders by 2024
- Reduce water usage intensity from mill production to 1.2 m3/MT FFB by 2022
- 85% of total planted area to be rodenticide-free by 2022
- Complete certification of all mills by 2022 or 1 year after obtaining HGUs
Environmental Challenges
- Increase in workplace accident rates
- Unprecedented spike in fire outbreaks in 2019
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and certification
- Over-reliance of communities on Bumitama's operations
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed Triple Zero Target Programme (TZTP) to address workplace accidents, fires and environmental grievances
- Reorganised fire management approach and introduced TZTP
- Implemented COVID-19 business continuity plan and protocols
- Exploring alternative livelihood opportunities for communities (e.g., fish farming)
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 29 outgrowers and 69 independent smallholder groups performance verified with a questionnaire
Responsible Procurement
- FFB traceability to plantation (98.8% in 2020)
- Supplier commitments to no land clearing before HCV & HCS assessment
- Monitoring land cover change in suppliers’ areas using satellite monitoring system
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Fires
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Fluctuating weather patterns
- Changes in palm oil market
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Monetization of carbon offsets from social forestry
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, RSPO
Certifications: RSPO, ISPO, ISO 14001
Awards & Recognition
- 7th out of 350 companies in the 2020 Global Canopy Forest 500 assessment
Reporting Period: 2021-2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Protection and Sustainable Land Use
- People and Communities
- Supply Chains and Responsible Sourcing
- Governance and Accountability
Environmental Achievements
- 13.5% reduction in GHG emissions compared to 2016 baseline
- First methane capture facility commissioned in 2022
- >95% of energy consumed comes from renewable sources
- 5.6% reduction in total energy consumption since 2021
- Improved water use efficiency: 9.6% reduction in mill water usage intensity since 2019
- >40,000 ha conserved: 17% of total landbank
- 305 ha of forest replanted with >103,800 tree seedlings in 2021 and 2022
Social Achievements
- 100% of employees vaccinated against COVID-19
- 36% accident rate reduction since 2020
- Restructured CSR programmes into palm and non-palm income-generating activities to better benefit communities
- Second independent smallholder group with 75 families and 324 ha of land RSPO certified
- 4 new villages engaged in social forestry programmes (6 in total)
Governance Achievements
- Finalisation of revised sustainability policy
- Alignment to the UN SDGs
- New Sustainability Steering Committee established
- Launched new group diversity policy
- New climate mitigation strategy in development
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net zero emissions by 2060
- Reduce GHG emissions intensity by 30% (2016 baseline) by 2030
- Install methane capture and biogas facilities at 15 existing palm oil mills by 2029
- Achieve RSPO certification for all existing mills and estates within one year of receiving land use permits for new mills after 2022 by 2024
- Support six communities through social forestry partnerships in areas greater than 15,000 ha by 2025
- 75% reduction in accident rates (2020 baseline) by 2025
- Increase forest area by 10% by 2025
- Increase forest cover in conservation areas by 10% (2020 baseline) by 2025
- Reduce water usage intensity from mill to 1.2 m3/MT FFB by 2023
- 85% of planted area to be rodenticide-free by 2023
- 100% traceability of FFB supplied by smallholders and external suppliers by 2023
- Develop a solid waste reduction policy for our operations and surrounding communities by 2023
- Breastfeeding facilities available in all operational areas by 2023
Environmental Challenges
- Deforestation or 0.8% of conservation area was cleared by community activities in 2022
- 6.5 ha of planted area and 5.9 ha of conservation area were burnt in 2022
- Water usage intensity was 1.22 m3/ MT FFB (not achieving target of 1.2 m3/MT FFB)
- 78.9% of planted area was rodenticide-free (lower than target of 85%)
- Three fatalities in 2022
- Business relations with one supplier ceased in 2022 due to a breach in policy commitments
- Whistleblowing uncovered 2 cases of insignificant value related to asset misuse and illegal gratuities by ground staff in 2022
Mitigation Strategies
- Strictly implementing external sourcing policy
- Engaging with communities to educate them on commitments and propose collaboration in rehabilitating areas
- Implementing fire management strategies focusing on prevention, early detection, and quick response
- Developing a chemical fertiliser reduction programme
- Investigating causes of fatalities and taking corrective actions
- Revised due diligence process to identify similar occurrences and prevent non-compliant practices
- Resolving cases of corruption with concerned parties, resulting in dismissal of culpable employees
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 100% of known suppliers assessed in 2022
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainability policy commitments for all suppliers
- Pre-screening process for new suppliers
- Annual assessments of existing suppliers
- Supplier suspension and re-entry criteria
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
- Drought
- Flooding
- Fires
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
- Decreasing revenues
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Improved operational efficiencies
- Reduction of GHG emissions
- Landscape restoration and conservation-based programmes
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, GRI 13 Sector Standards agriculture indicators, Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) Sustainability Reporting Guide
Certifications: RSPO, ISPO, ISO 14001
Third-party Assurance: Bumitama’s internal audit department (limited assurance)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 2
- 4
- 8
- 12
- 13
- 15
- 17
Alignment of material topics and targets with selected SDGs is detailed in the report.
Awards & Recognition
- PROPER awards (3 units)
- Ranked 3 out of 350 on Forest 500