24/03/2012 (The Star) - They are the big boys in the plantations industry and global players as well. But beyond the golden harvests that bring in the money, they also do their part to give back to society. And for these companies, their corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda is focused on community work and the environment.

IOI Group
The IOI Group's formation years were associated with real estate when it forayed into property development in 1982 followed by oil palm plantations in 1985.

Today, IOI Group is internationally known as a leading global integrated palm oil player with operations stretching the entire palm value chain, from seedlings to plantations to crop oil extraction to diverse value-added manufacturing across major continents serving global markets in more than 65 countries.

The group's Vision IOI is the hallmark of its CSR activities.

A spokeperson for IOI told StarBiz through an email that back in 1995, long before the phrases “corporate responsibility”, “sustainability” and “going green” became popular in the business world, the senior management had introduced its Vision IOI, which readily acknowledges its responsibility towards various stakeholders, namely its shareholders, customers, employees, business associates, community and the nation.

“IOI believes that the sustainability of its businesses is interdependent on the sustainability of the ecosystem surrounding its operations. It holds firmly to operating its businesses in ways that meet regulatory requirements on environmental impact in countries or markets where it operates,” the spokeperson said.

The spokeperson also said IOI continually invested in green technology such as new milling technology that minimises effluent and pollutant output, and also waste-water treatment facility to minimise its impact on the environment.

The children adoption programme – one of IOI’s CSR efforts.

Through an efficient and effective plantation management programme, IOI's palm oil yield per hectare is 50% greater than the industry average, which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the land required to produce the same amount of palm oil by a remarkable 80,000ha.

This efficient use of land translates into lower fertiliser, pesticide and energy usage as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions that in turn deliver significant benefits to the environment.

As a founding member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), IOI has played an active role in promoting sustainable practices since its inception in 2004. It also advocates sustainable agricultural practices in its estates to bring growth and use of certified sustainable palm oil to the world market.

To date, 42 estates with planted areas of about 78,000ha, or about 51% of its total planted areas plus seven palm oil mills of IOI, have been certified by the RSPO.

Currently, there are six palm oil mills, and its supplying estates in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia have been awarded the International Standard for Carbon Certification (ISCC) for complying with the ISCC System GmbH certification system that distinguishes sustainable products from non-sustainable ones for customers. It is also an initiative to avoid unwanted ecological and social side effects of the extending biomass production in the various regions of the world.

Besides embracing sustainability and good business practices, IOI also strives to improve the local community's growth and well-being with greater emphasis on education and human capital development.

With this in mind, the Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng (Yayasan TSLSC), a charitable foundation which is wholly-funded by the IOI Group, was established in 1994. Since then, Yayasan TSLSC has contributed millions of ringgit to various schools, hospitals, welfare homes and charitable bodies, and has given out scholarships and grants to a few hundred schools and university students.

IJM Plantations
IJM Plantations Bhd sustains its CSR footprint by engaging in numerous initiatives in line with its corporate theme of Nurturing Sustainability.

The CSR initiatives are classified under four pillars of sustainability, namely productivity and innovation, care for environment, investor in people and returning to the community.

This CSR framework is also in line with Bursa Malaysia's CSR framework that focuses on the environment, community, workplace and marketplace.

IJM Plantations has chosen sports as part of its CSR effort through an academy called Academy of Rugby Excellence.

IJM Plantations chief executive officer and managing director Joseph Tek Choon Yee told StarBiz the academy was set up in 2002 to nurture youngsters to be good in both their studies and rugby.

“It also promotes character building and leadership development.As the land area for the group's oil palm plantation is in Sabah, the project is focused on the state where the beneficiaries are local primary and secondary students and teachers. The project remains in the forefront as a unique platform for sustainable sports development in Sabah.”

Tek said through collaboration with Sabah's education department and the Sabah Rugby Union, 40 schoolboys from form one to four remain full-time “rugby students” at the IJM Plantations-sponsored Centre for Sabah Rugby Excellence in SMK Sandakan.

The group's employees also carry out rugby coaching clinics in local schools in Sandakan and other sports activities for the estate workers' children.

IJM Plantations also collaborates with the Borneo Child Aid Society in the provision of basic education for children in plantations.

In addition, talented dancers and performers have been trained by the teachers, while a junior rugby team has also been formed.

Two new purpose-built learning centres are being constructed in the Sugut region to cater to the educational needs of over 340 children.

As part of its community work, IJM Plantations operates 11 day-care centres, 10 kindergartens, two community halls, and various sports facilities throughout the state.

Sime Darby
Sime Darby Bhd has identified four pillars to support its CSR initiatives, namely environment, community, education and sports.

For the environment, Sime Darby adopts best environmental practices that ensure environmental sustainability in all operational activities. Its focus on environmental management and conservation has resulted in initiatives for wildlife and natural habitat conservation.

For the community, Sime Darby believes in protecting, supporting and respecting human rights, equality and fairness. Accordingly, president and group chief executive officer Mohd Bakke said Sime Darby was committed to identifying, supporting and sponsoring programmes aimed at developing and advancing the community.

It further upholds the principles of respecting human rights, equality and fairness through non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion or impairments not relevant to employment.

It commits to a wide range of CSR initiatives under this pillar which includes community infrastructure facilities that enhance estates and townships, health programmes, policies on gender equality and child protection, and providing aid to natural disaster victims globally.

Sime Darby’s CSR project – learning the different species of mangrove trees.

In education, Sime Darby's core philosophy is nurturing and developing human capital. Among other initiatives, Sime Darby provides scholarships, research grants and sponsorship of educational programmes for deserving candidates, the underprivileged and those in need of financial support and access to education.

Sime Darby is committed to establishing educational programmes that benefit and enhance the quality of life for its employees and their children. Underpinning this philosophy is Sime Darby's commitment to educational excellence at all levels.

For sports, Sime Darby encourages an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in sports. By that, Sime Darby commits to developing and supporting initiatives with regard to sports, recreation and other activities that facilitate growth and development.

Initiatives that focus on the healthy living concept and which present a healthy lifestyle proposition appeal to Sime Darby. This commitment is further demonstrated through its conscious effort to promote the healthy living theme in its business ventures and operations.

Sime Darby's support for the sports pillar includes identifying and nurturing local sports personalities, such that the national aspiration for producing world-class sports personalities becomes a possibility.