Some of the local planters producing CSPO are IOI Corp Bhd, Kulim (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and United Plantations Bhd. Apart from that, plantation companies are also addressing environment and sustainability issues on the local front. Among the earliest green advocates is plantation giant IOI group.

Back in 1995, long before the phrases like “corporate responsibility”, “sustainability” and “going green” became popular in the business world, IOI had already introduced Vision IOI, which acknowledged responsibility toward its shareholders, customers, employees, business associates, community and the nation.

Group executive director Datuk Lee Yeow Chor believes the sustainability of the businesses is interdependent on the sustainability of the ecosystem surrounding its operations.

“Our operations meet the regulatory requirements on environmental impact in the countries or markets in which we operate,” he says.

It practises zero burning when it comes to land clearing for new planting or replanting. It does not cultivate oil palm on moderate or deep peat, riverine reserves, hill slopes with gradient greater than 25 degrees and on high conservation value forest areas.

IOI’s plantation operations produce a vast amount of biomass by-product, some of which are used to generate energy.

The biomass steam and power plant at its refinery complex in Sandakan uses kernel shells and empty fruit bunch fibres to produce almost all its steam and electricity requirements.

Through an efficient plantation management programme, IOI’s palm oil yield per ha is 50% greater than the industry average. This results in a dramatic reduction in land required to produce the same amount of palm oil by a remarkable 80,000ha.

"This efficient use of land translates into lower fertiliser, pesticides and energy usage as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions which in turn deliver significant benefits to the environment.”

As a founding member of RSPO, IOI also plays an active role in promoting sustainable practices.

IOI is committed to pursue RSPO certification audit for all its 80 estates and 12 mills in Malaysia by middle of 2012.

“So far, IOI has obtained sustainability certificates for 15 of its estates with planted areas of 31,000 ha or about 21% of its total planted areas,” Lee says.THE END

Sourc: The Star