• Bentoel Group

Bentoel Group is an Indonesian tobacco company, which now is part of the British American Tobacco (BAT) Group as a leading global tobacco company with a presence in over 180 countries worldwide. Bentoel Group has shown a good commitment to sustainability as they have installed 1 MW solar panel as the source of renewable energy and plan to reach 100% renewable electricity and reduce the Scope 1 & 2 emission. It also extends the scope of water conservation from reduce, reuse and recycle the water used at its operation, to the catchment where the company operates. Bentoel Group also achieves ZWTL (zero waste to landfill) starting in 2021.

• PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero), Tbk

PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero), Tbk is a state-owned information and communications company as well as a telecommunications service and network provider in Indonesia. PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero), Tbk has shown a good commitment as they recognize their role and responsibility to the communities in which they strive to expand digital infrastructure to all regions of Indonesia including the 3T regions (Frontier, Remote, Disadvantaged), while managing social and environmental aspects. They implement community empowerment programs and reduce energy consumption, waste, and water use while enforcing ethical business operations and anti-corruption measures. PT Telkom Indonesia reports its performance achievements annually through a Sustainability Report that covers economic, social, environmental, and governance aspects.

• PT Olahkarsa Inovasi Indonesia

PT Olahkarsa Inovasi Indonesia is a CSR management consulting company, providing end-to-end-solution for CSR management by optimizing the use of technology. PT Olahkarsa Inovasi Indonesia has shown a very good commitment through creating CSR innovation for a sustainable business ecosystem since 2019 and aiming to utilize CSR as a part of the company’s long-term business strategy that should be integrated and mutually sustainable with the core business and core competency of a company.

• TORAJAMELO

TORAJAMELO is an ethical-slow fashion lifestyle brand who work together with weaving communities on design and development of weaving to preserve the authenticity of the art while also making it relevant to the market. Torajamelo has shown a good commitment as they recognize their role and responsibility to the communities in which they operate based on SDGs 1, 5, 12, and 13, addressing rural women’s poverty in remote areas while also giving attention to responsible consumption and climate action. Torajamelo focuses on reviving rural economies with weaving as an entry point, and making it as an alternative income opportunity for the women in the communities. Working on 3Cs pillars – Commerce, Community Collaboration, and Consultancy, they are currently engaging around 1100+ weavers in Toraja & Mamasa in Sulawesi island, Soe, Maubesi, & Oesena in West Timor, & Manggarai in Flores.

• PT Karya Kreasi Teknologi (Krealogi)

PT Karya Kreasi Teknologi (Krealogi) is a tech-based solution company, providing digital platforms for MSMEs operating in Indonesia. PT Karya Kreasi Teknologi has shown a very good commitment through the provision of partnerships and capacity building for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Krealogi’s sustainability commitment is based on the SDGs goals of Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequality. Krealogi provides opportunities for women in MSMEs to get adequate facilities to grow their business. Krealogi also creates decent jobs to improve the community’s economy, be able to overcome poverty, and develop industries and innovations based on the craft industry, fashion, and manufacturing MSMEs.

The company’s circular economy program began several years ago, with the utilization of agricultural industry combustion waste and wood processing waste to heat boilers used in the brewing process. MBI has also built biomass facilities and established cooperation to provide electricity from renewable sources. By 2022 MBI has used 64% renewable energy, and they aim to have 100% renewable energy in production before 2025. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned it the IBCSI Award in 2022, as The Best Circular Economy 2022 through the Maximizing Circularity Through Spent Grain Utilization program.

The latest initiative of MBI involves “Food Upcycling for the Future”, a collaborative project that aims to process food waste from the brewing process into highly nutritious food products. By partnering with P4G, RE:harvest, and ASEIC, the company aims to supply leftover grains from the brewing process as raw materials to be recycled into flour, which can later be used to make food products such as granola bars, bread, and noodles. This pilot project has the potential to contribute to the government’s target of achieving 30% food waste reduction by 2025, as one kilogram of flour from spent grain is expected to absorb three kilograms of food waste.

The inauguration of the Waste4Change Bekasi 2.0 Material Recovery House was held in conjunction with a strategic discussion on green investment opportunities and constraints. This was led by Moris Nuaimi, SE, MT, MA, Director of Infrastructure Planning, Deputy for Investment Planning of the Ministry of Investment (BKPM), representing the Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia. Other notable attendees included Pandu Sjahrir, Founding Partner of AC Ventures Indonesia, and Reny Hendrawati, Expert Staff to the Mayor of Bekasi for Economy, Development, and Society.

The implementation of green investment is targeted to focus on helping waste management efforts through reducing waste at the source and handling waste downstream. The Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA) conducted a survey in 2021 which stated that green investment assets in developing countries have a growth potential of up to USD 30.7 Trillion. Meanwhile, the NPAP report states that a total capital investment of USD 18 billion is needed between 2017 and 2040 to overcome the challenges of transforming business-as-usual practices to a System Change Scenario for effective waste management and recycling.

Despite this, Systemiq & Delterra data in 2022 indicate that 97% of waste funding in Indonesia still relies on door-to-door fee collection. The method of waste collection as part of taxes and utility subscription fees is a more common method used by developed countries. Funding in the waste management sector will have a major impact on sustainability. Waste management is a basic need, so there will be a constant demand despite changing economic and social conditions.

In conclusion, Waste4Change’s innovative approach to waste management with the help of green investment is an excellent example of how companies can contribute to sustainability. By reducing waste at the source and handling waste downstream, Waste4Change is making a positive impact on the environment while creating economic opportunities. This approach is a significant step forward in the fight against waste management challenges globally. It is hoped that more companies will follow this model and contribute to the larger goal of achieving a cleaner, greener future for all.

President Director of PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari, Wawan Budiawan, stated that PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari, as a business leader in e-waste management in Indonesia, is not only put the concern on the business side, but also for the environment for future generation. PT Mukti promotes the handling of e-waste in environmentally friendly ways to any e-waste generator stakeholders, including manufacturers, OEMs, large multinational enterprises, service providers, local government agencies and communities.

E-waste contains numerous toxins which can be dangerous if it’s not disposed properly, as it can cause environmental pollution and health hazards. Moreover, some parts of e-waste still can be recovered and recycled. PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari proudly does the honors as a leader to offer a complete and highly efficient solution for eco-friendly management end-of-life electronic assets.  

“Science education is part of BASF social commitment. With “BASF Kids’ Lab goes to School”, we are bringing science and inspiring the younger generations to discover the world of chemistry through safe and fun experiments in the comfort of their school,” said Agus Ciputra, President Director of BASF Indonesia.

During the pandemic, BASF Indonesia introduced a BAFS’ Virtual Lab in Bahasa Indonesia version which allows children to explore chemistry from home. This is part of BASF’s social engagement strategy to open up learning opportunities. At BASF, education is a key to children’s future and society’s development, in order to meet tomorrow’s challenges and create a sustainable future.

Product quality and consumer safety are critical to building brands that consumers trust and use for the long term. We focus on creating products that deliver functional and wellbeing benefits to our consumers and that meet the growing consumer desire for more sustainable products.

We have consistently invested in assuring product quality and consumer safety throughout our value chain. We apply robust management systems and the latest science to ensure that our products are safe for consumers and consistently deliver the experience that consumers demand.

Our main manufacturing sites are accredited to ISO9001 for quality. We use ISO10377, the standard for consumer safety, to assess and improve our performance and we measure ourselves regularly against the standard.

Jakarta, 15 March 2022 – The Ministry of Trade and Industry is preparing instruments to support the creation of a downstream industrial climate for palm oil users that prioritizes a balance of environmental, social, and economic aspects. The virtual dialogue entitled Recover Stronger Through Low-Carbon Economy, initiated by the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD) in collaboration with the WWF Indonesia Foundation, is one of the efforts to support Indonesia’s G20 Presidency and encourage active participation of the private sector and other stakeholders in the development of a low-carbon economy through the implementation of sustainable business practices.

On this occasion, Putu Juli Ardika, Director-General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry, said that the palm oil industry is a leading labor-intensive sector that supports the national economy. As a result, the sustainable development of the downstream palm oil industry is very important. Palm oil and biomass should be produced by international standards based on sustainable development goals so that Indonesian palm oil feeds the nation and the world and contributes to global food needs. “Currently seeing the development, in terms of regulations and completeness of ISPO for the downstream palm oil industry, it has reached the final stage. But still waiting for the legal cover to arrive in the near future.”

Isy Karim, Director of the Ministry of Trade’s Basic Needs and Important Goods, said that the Ministry of Trade encourages policy programs downstream of palm goods, not only in the form of raw materials. The Ministry of Trade wants palm production to have a higher value not only for export. “Meanwhile, to support the absorption of domestic consumption of sustainable palm oil products, we are still waiting for directions from the President.”

On the other hand, the increasing demand for palm oil is frequently linked to environmental and social issues. Therefore, RSPO Senior Manager Global Community Outreach & Engagement, Imam A. El Marzuq explained that implementing sustainable palm oil production practices can answer these challenges. “Replacing palm oil with other vegetable oil substitutes is not a solution. Palm oil plantations that are certified sustainable have a 35 percent and 20 percent lower impact on greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity than non-certified plants when compared to other vegetable oil commodities.” As a result, the RSPO places a high priority on developing palm oil governance that uses Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) to reduce deforestation.

The Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard (POBS), an annual publication launched by WWF in 2009, aims to track the progress of companies in the downstream sector in procuring sustainable palm oil products and derivatives based on criteria such as supply chain and supplier sincerity, as well as sustainable actions and investments, showed an increase in awareness in almost all indicators.

Senior Engagement Manager Global Palm Oil WWF Singapore, Octyanto Bagus Indra Kusuma said “The positive trends in POBS in the downstream palm oil industry are due to increased market awareness and demand pressure, ambitions for sustainability as the company’s core and low-carbon green economy transition policies. So that more and more companies want to improve themselves and prove the palm oil industry is free from deforestation and human rights violations.”

The aspect of sustainability as the company’s core is now also one of the main considerations in financing investment in the financial services sector (SJK). In a panel discussion session, Charles Kho, Head of International Subsidiary Banking at HSBC Indonesia, said that the Green Taxonomy is the starting point for a uniform standard of reference language for banks. However, in the future, this document alone will not suffice; reporting requirements must be developed, and the progress of green operations must be exposed on a regular basis to avoid potential greenwashing practices.

“In the context of our palm oil and supply chain, we will focus on Green Loan-Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL), Trade Financing-Sustainability Linked Trade Load (SLTL) and Sustainability Supply Chain Financing (SCCF) which are based on Green Loan Principles. Charles emphasized that the most important thing is that the company has a key performance indicator (KPI), sustainable performance targets (SPT), good governance, which allows for measurable reporting and verification. He hopes that HSBC Indonesia’s green loan-financing products would serve as a catalyst for boosting economic activity while reducing negative environmental and social impacts.

In general, the participants in this discussion feel that sustainable palm oil is a major industry that can help Indonesia achieve a low-carbon economy. With the urgency of a climate change strategy by the state, the G20 presidency provides an opportunity for Indonesia to become a leading sustainable palm oil enterprise.

It’s time for sustainability issues to be treated as a collective duty that requires significant cross-sectoral collaboration. Multi-stakeholder efforts made by the government, the financial services sector and certifying bodies are required to work together to create an ecosystem in which downstream and upstream oil palm industry actors compete to implement ecologically and socially responsible business practices.