62 FGV HOLDINGS BERHAD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FGV is keen to carry out these directives to gain a clear picture of the presence of peat soil in the region. We have provided details of the planned soil survey to the RSPO CP in a letter dated 28 November 2019, and are currently awaiting approval from RSPO to undertake the soil survey. In addition, due to the challenging environment presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have requested a six-month extension to comply with the RSPO CP’s directives. However, we remain committed to implementing all the directives and upholding our NDPE and HCV policies. FGV uses the Global Forest Watch (GFW) Pro platform to trace and monitor deforestation activities around our operations. This platform is an open-source web application that monitors global deforestation rates in near real-time and is able to detect illegal land-clearing activities that encroach into protected areas. If the platform identifies any deforestation activity, we verify if any of our suppliers are associated with it and if they are found to be involved, they will be subjected to our Supplier Delinquency Guideline which may lead to their removal from our supply chain. So far, we have identified one supplier that has been involved in illegal deforestation activities and it has subsequently been removed from our supply chain following efforts by FGV to engage with it. We have communicated the use of this platform to all our top suppliers, along with our revised GSP and NDPE commitments, and have measured their sustainability risk levels using the platform as well. GRI 103-1/2/3, GRI 304-1, GRI 304-4 BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is at the heart of FGV’s operations. It is our policy not to develop HCV areas or any environmentally sensitive areas such as primary forests and peatlands. We are also committed to conserving and protecting the natural ecosystem and habitats of endangered, rare and threatened species. FGV gives priority to conserving biodiversity, especially when many of our plantations are close to natural forest reserves that are home to endangered, rare and threatened species. We have pledged to undertake conservation initiatives to preserve the pristine environment of these areas while reducing our impact on biodiversity as much as possible. These include: Beyond this, we invest significantly in awareness and education programmes, organised in collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), while also being involved in on-the-ground conservation efforts. FGV abides by the principle of precautionary approach to HCV management. HCV areas and wildlife protection The locations of our operations provide us with the unique opportunity to identify key areas for conservation as well as important flora and fauna. Over 2018/2019, the size of HCV areas identified within our land boundaries has increased by 257.41 Ha with our Tawai estates in Perak being the most recently assessed in 2018. FGV also sacrificed 20 Ha of replanting area for the expansion of a Riparian Buffer Zone. Sun Bear Conservation Programme Rafflesia Conservation & Interpretation Centre Mega Biodiversity Corridor Conservation Project
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