Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) gears up its efforts to drive corporate social responsibility towards sustainability under the 3 pillars - “Food Security”, “Self-Sufficiency Society”, and “Balance of Nature”, in support to United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Eleven targets are strategically designed to cope with global changes, business challenges and stakeholders' increasing expectation for solid and sustainable growth.
Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Senior Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development of CPF, said that CPF as a leading integrated agro-industrial and food company under the "Kitchen of the World" vision is determined to operate the business in a socially-responsible way for sustainability. Following a review of its sustainable development strategies in 2016, 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 honor 9 out of 17 SDGs. The company is determined to support the goals by utilizing its knowledge, capability, experience and expertise. This constituted "2020 Goal" with 11 targets that will define CPF's crucial sustainability direction, under the guidance of CPF's 3 sustainability-oriented CSR pillars - “Food Security”, “Self-Sufficiency Society”, and “Balance of Nature”.
Under "Food Security" pillar, to elevate quality and safety throughout the process, in 2017 the company targets zero product recall and will concentrate on health nutrition for consumers' good health. In this regard, New Product Development (NPD) will constitute 15% of all products (the ratio will increase to 30% in 2020). In addition, 206,000 youths will be given access to learn about or practice skills on food production and/or nutritional and safe consumption (the number will rise to 300,000 in 2020).
Under “Self-Sufficiency Society” pillar to ensure partners' growth, in 2017, 30% of partners in feed meal, seasoning and packaging businesses will be subjected to sustainability evaluation (100% in 2020). Meanwhile, main agricultural raw materials must come from accountable and traceable sources, starting with soybean. Forty per cent of soybean is subjected to this requirement (100% in 2020).
On community quality of life support, a number of 33,000 farmers, small business operators and those in vulnerable groups will be extended training and quality of life supports. (58,000 in 2020)
Under "Balance of Nature" pillar to alleviate environmental impacts, the 2017 target is to further reduce energy usage (by 5% in 2020), greenhouse gases (by 5% in 2020), water reuse (by 10% in 2020), and waste per production unit against 2015 base year (by 30% in 2020). The company will protect biodiversity of mangrove forests and watersheds in Thailand's strategic locations as well as green areas in its premises, with the target to cover 5,816 rai of land in 2017 (9,261 rai in 2020), through CPF's projects - "Grow-Share-Protect Mangrove Forestation" and "CPF Conserve Ecosystem Project to conserve and restore watershed forest around Pasak river basin at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain".
CPF is determined to constantly improve and develop its sustainability process. The information will be publicized in the annual Sustainability Report. Six volumes of the report has 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 (DJSI) evaluation, the global sustainability indices which become a key investment benchmark to global investors. CPF was a member of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), manifesting its intention and commitment to operate business in a responsible manner. The company's information disclosure encompasses sustainability issues identified in Sustainability Report. In 2016, the reporting standards moved up to "Advance Level" from "Active Level" in the previous year.
