Environmental Stewardship

Safeguarding Biodiversity

Goodhope is committed to reversing the loss of biodiversity by prioritizing the conservation and protection of natural habitats, especially for rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species.

While poaching, hunting, capturing, extracting, and trafficking of wild animals on our concessions are prohibited, we respect the right of indigenous peoples to engage in traditional and customary forms of hunting that are sustainable. We are working with them to ensure there is a designated time, place, and manner for such hunting and that it is legal, non-commercial, and does not threaten ecosystems or harm RTE species.

We believe in the importance of regular conservation awareness campaigns targeted at employees and the local community. It is important for us that the significance of species diversity in contributing to the health of the forest is understood by all to ensure the protection of the forest as a habitat for RTE species and biodiversity. Such programs help to reduce and resolve human-wildlife conflicts and emphasize biodiversity conservation.

Fire Prevention and Mitigation

Every dry season our oil palm plantations face an increased risk of fires. These fires can have serious consequences, including damage to our crops, harm to our staff, and negative impacts on the environment.

To mitigate fire risks we have implemented a few measures. These include creating firebreaks around the perimeter of our plantations, establishing evacuation procedures in case of a fire, and training our staff on fire prevention and response. We also monitor weather conditions and work closely with local authorities to prepare for and respond to fires.

In addition to these measures, we take several additional precautions to reduce the risk of fires. For example, we carefully manage the disposal of waste materials to minimize the risk of accidental fires, and we conduct regular inspections to identify and address any potential fire hazards.

We recognize the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of fires in our plantations and we are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our staff and the sustainability of our operations.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

At Goodhope, we are committed to fighting against climate change and reducing our environmental impact. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with our operations, we are optimizing fuel use, implementing measures to prevent peat oxidation, and reducing emissions from effluents and fertilizer applications.

Goodhope has also installed its first methane capture facility to reduce GHG emissions from POME.

We are working to increase the carbon sequestration potential of our plantations by minimizing degradation on our land. In addition, we are collaborating with leading experts and other stakeholders to identify and adopt best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector.

We believe that it is our responsibility to play a leadership role in the fight against climate change, and we are committed to doing our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet for future generations.

Soil Health and Water Quality

Goodhope adopts Good Agricultural Practices in the management of its plantations to sustain soil fertility, maintain water quality, and minimize soil erosion. We also utilize our biomass waste to enhance the soil quality. The Group manages 8,037 ha of oil palm on peat, planted before the Group’s No Development on Peat policy.

We undertake managing and monitoring of the cultivated peatland according to the RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat (2018). We measure water levels and peat subsidence rates accordingly. Goodhope will not conduct any new plantings on peat, regardless of depth, after adopting the No Development on Peat Policy in 2017. We are also managing riparian areas and undertaking forest rehabilitation when necessary.

Water and Energy Conservation

Energy conservation measures are implemented across our operations. For example, boilers for palm oil processing are powered primarily by organic waste products (mesocarp fibers and palm kernel shells) which reduces the use of diesel to a minimum. We aim to maintain optimal efficiency in the generation of electricity by our mills by conducting regular monitoring and maintenance improvements to optimize boiler performance and prevent excess emissions.

Minimizing the Usage of Chemicals

Agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) are applied sparingly and responsibly to protect crops from pests and to enhance crop yields while minimizing risks to the health of the environment. We do not apply any chemicals in riparian areas, and we ensure that our workers are sufficiently trained and equipped for the safe handling of any chemicals.

Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems combine compatible ecological, physical, biological, and chemical methods suitable for field conditions to minimize the potential loss of yield due to pest damage. Recommendations and guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) are adopted for the exclusion of highly hazardous pesticides listed as Class 1A or 1B chemicals, or those subject to the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions.

We continue to seek alternatives to avoid the use of certain chemical pesticides and reduce the overall use of pesticides. Measures include increasing barn owl populations to reduce the need for chemical rodenticides, manual weed management, and planting of beneficial plants.

Our Fertilizer Efficiency Program is developed and implemented to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers per hectare of oil palm cultivated by the increased use of organic options.