CPF focuses on 11 targets in line with Sustainability Development Goals
CHAROEN Pokphand Foods (CPF) says it is ramping up its CSR (corporate social responsibility) efforts under three pillars – food security, a self-sufficient society and “balance of nature” – in support of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).
The company has identified 11 targets to cope with global changes, business challenges and stakeholders'’ increasing expectations of solid and sustainable growth.
Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, senior vice president for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, said CPF as a leading integrated agro-industrial and food company under the “Kitchen of the World” vision was determined to operate the business in a socially responsible way.
After a review of its strategies last year taking into account the private sector’s role in supporting the global sustainable-development agenda, SDGs were integrated into the company’s CSR strategy, binding CPF to honour nine of the 17 goals set out by the UN.
The company says it is determined to support the goals by utilising its knowledge, capability, experience and expertise. This constituted 11 goals to be achieve by 2020 under the guidance of the company’s three CSR pillars.
Under the food-security pillar, to elevate quality and safety throughout its processes, the company this year targets zero product recalls and will concentrate on nutrition to enhance consumers’ health. In this regard, 15 per cent of all products will be new (the ratio will increase to 30 per cent by 2020).
Under the self-sufficient-society pillar, 30 per cent of CPF’s partners in feed-meal, seasoning and packaging businesses will be subjected to sustainability evaluation this year. That proportion is to rise to 100 per cent by 2020.
ACCOUNTABLE SOURCES
Meanwhile, main agricultural raw materials must come from accountable and traceable sources, starting with soybeans. Forty per cent of the company’s soybean supply is now subject to this requirement, to rise to 100 per cent by 2020.
To help improve quality of life in Thai communities, 33,000 farmers, small-business operators and those in vulnerable groups will be extended training and other support. That number is to rise to 58,000 by 2020.
Under the “balance of nature” pillar to alleviate environmental impacts, the target is to reduce energy usage by 5 per cent by 2020, greenhouse gases by 5 per cent, water usage by 10 per cent, and waste per production unit by 30 per cent against the 2015 base year.
The company will protect the biodiversity of mangrove forests and watersheds in strategic locations of the country as well as green areas in its premises, with the programme to cover 5,816 rai (931 hecares) this year (9,261 rai by 2020). One of the projects aims to restore the watershed forest around the Pasak River basin at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain, Lop Buri province.
CPF says it is determined to improve and develop its sustainability process constantly. The information will be publicised in the company’s annual sustainability report. Six volumes of the report have been completed under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-G4) guidelines.
For the third time, in 2016 CPF was invited to take part in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices evaluation, a key benchmark for global investors.
CPF was a member of the UN Global Compact, manifesting its intention and commitment to operate business in a responsible manner.
