Nestlé Malaysia marked a significant milestone in its Project RELeaf reforestation programme by completing the planting of the first of its 3 million tree ambition. In conjunction with World Environment Day, the achievement was commemorated with a nationwide tree planting event, which also formalised the collaboration with TDM Plantation (TDMP) as its newest planting partner.
As part of the partnership, TDMP has committed to contribute 514 hectares of land within its estates to enable Nestlé Malaysia to plant further 350,000 trees. This will further advance Nestlé’s Project RELeaf goal of planting three million trees across Malaysia to restore riparian and forest ecosystems and protect wildlife as well as critical water supplies. Nestlé Malaysia has achieved positive progress in its reforestation programmes over the years, driving strong collaboration with multiple stakeholders to expand its efforts, including with ongoing partners such as Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP).
Mr. Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, said, “In line with our ESG agenda, Project RELeaf is part of Nestlé’s nature-based Forest Positive strategy to combat the impact of climate change and lower carbon emissions by preserving Malaysia’s forests and rich biodiversity, while promoting sustainable livelihoods for communities. Through Project RELeaf, we aim to achieve 700,000 tonnes of carbon removal over 10 years. After the temporary interuption of our planting activities during COVID lockdowns, the project is now back to full steam. Following this milestone of one million trees planted today we are in a good direction to cross the second million within the next 12 months, on track towards 3 million by early 2025. We hope that our partnership with TDMP will also serve as an inspiration for others to join us in this journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for Malaysia.”
Mr. Hamdan bin Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of TDMP, commented, “This is indeed a commendable initiative driven by Nestlé Malaysia that we are glad to be a part of. Reflecting TDMP’s commitment to safeguarding the environment, we are dedicated to our low carbon growth strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through various programmes. This also contributes to our approach to ensure healthy ecosystems for the nation.”
SDP’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr. Rashyid Redza Anwarudin, said, the progress of SDP’s collaboration with Nestlé Malaysia is remarkable. “Nature-based solutions such as reforestation and tree planting helps to create carbon sinks. They are one of the important carbon removal strategies we are employing today to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To date, over 420,000 trees have been planted under Nestlé Malaysia’s Project RELeaf in SDP’s operation areas, and another 390,000 more trees should be added by the end of this year,” Rashyid said.
The nationwide tree planting event held recently was organised at five locations across Malaysia, namely SDP Carey Island estate in Selangor, SDP Gunung Mas estate in Johor, SDP Melalap estate, in Tenom, Sabah, Hutan Simpan Bukit Bintang in Perlis and TDMP Jernih Estate in Terengganu, where the officiation ceremony for this new partnership with TDMP also took place. This saw a total of 450 dedicated Nestlé Cares volunteers as well as associates from TDMP and SDP, mobilised to plant trees nationwide. In total, 7,000 trees were planted comprising native species such as Sea Apple (Kelat Jambu Laut), Bitter Bean (Petai), Bintangor, Pongam (Mempari) and Sea Poison (Putat) trees, amongst others.
Since 2019, Nestlé Malaysia continues to spearhead tree planting events as part of its Employee Volunteer Programme, Nestlé Cares, to actively educate its employees and business partners on climate change awareness and to mobilise action to contribute to the Company’s sustainability goals.
