- New forecast by DNV GL, an advisory business warns that none of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be met worldwide by 2030 without urgent action
- Action by business is crucial in achieving the SDGs according to the report, citing APP Group as an example of the changes required of businesses
Jakarta, 20th September 2016 – Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is one of 17 global businesses cited in a DNV.GL report on private sector action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The report published in advanceof the United Nations Private Sector Forum during Climate Week NYC 2016 concludes that whilst many of the 17 SDGs will make goodprogress across several world regions, action will not be fast or fair enough and will come at an unacceptable environmental cost. The report argues that the scale of the challenge requires urgent action and that the business community will play a vital role. To support action at the UN Private Sector Forum, the report showcases 17 businesses innovating and adjusting their business models to fit the SDGs, arguing that aligning with the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals has become a blueprint for a business proven to be fit for the future.
APP is featured as a case study on SDG 15 – ‘Life on Land’, the goal of sustainably managing forests, halting and reversing land degradation, combatting desertification and the halting of biodiversity loss. APP is cited in the context of its landmark Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) introduced in 2013 which committed the business to no-deforestation in the management of its pulpwood supply chain. The report argues that with its headquarters in Indonesia − one of the world’s fastest growing economies − APP is at the nexus of challenges around the sustainable use of natural resources, and that the business’ progress illustrates the change that is possible by members of the private sector.
“The question is not whether the Sustainable Development Goals are achievable, it is a question of how quickly - this is ultimately a matter of survival” said Aida Greenbury, Managing Director of Sustainability, Asia Pulp & Paper Group.
Ms Greenbury’s view is that achieving the objectives of SDG 15 requires greatercooperation between businesses, communities, NGOs and thegovernment on shared approaches to landscapes. “The further we have gone in implementingour Forest Conservation Policy, the more we have realised that ending deforestation and supporting Indonesia’s Government in conservation and achieving all 17 SDGs requires a new level of cooperation across the landscape.
“It is clear from DNV GL’s assessment that it will be challenging to meet these goals, but we have seen a lot of progress in the past five years, and growing leadership from many countries. To cite an example, our President in Indonesia has made a clear commitment that there will be no further development of peatland – a huge step, and one we’re committed to support.
“There is much more that the world could and should be doing, a key lesson of our experience is the need to collaborate with everyone with a stake in the landscape. We believe that the next step in achieving these goals is to unlock the power of climate finance and consumer responsibility. If we can get finance out into the communities in the forest and if consumers demand action then change will happen quickly."
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About the DNV GL report Future of Spaceship Earth – The SDGs – the Business Frontier
The DNV GL report Future of Spaceship Earth – The SDGs – the Business Frontierwas published at an event with LiseKingo, Executive Director and CEO of the UN Global Compact on the 19th of September 2016 in advance of the UN Private Sector Forum. The report is an assessment by DNV GL of progress towards the United Nations17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a showcase of 17 global businesses illustrating progress on each SDG. Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is featured in the report alongside Tata, Danone, HiTechnologies, ARM, Symantec, Grundfos, SolarWorld, NYK, Hydro, Safaricom, Siemens, Marks & Spencer, Iberdrola, Cermaq, Calvert Investments and Unilever.
About Asia Pulp & Paper
Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is a trade name for a group of pulp and paper manufacturing companies in Indonesia and China. APP is responsible for delivering quality products to meet the growing global demand for tissue, packaging and paper. On any given day, our products find their way into the hands of consumers in various branded forms from all over the world.
Started in 1972 with Tjiwi Kimia producing caustic soda, now we run operations across Indonesia and China with an annual combined pulp, paper, packaging product and converting capacity of over 19 million tons per annum. Today, APP markets its products in more than 120 countries across six continents.
Over the years, we have expanded our operations significantly through the acquisition and expansion of several of our pulp and paper mills. It’s our commitment to customer satisfaction that enables us to grow our share in paper sales worldwide and broaden our presence through offices in many countries. We believe ‘tradition and modernity go hand in hand’ which means we value long term relationships as part of our Eastern traditions, while we also are eager to embrace the modern values of innovation and efficiency.
Maintaining the integrity of our supply chain is also crucial to APP’s operations as well as our commitment to our Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020. Learn more about APP’s path to operational excellence by reading our Sustainability Reports and Forest Conservation Policy at www.asiapulppaper.com.
