KUALA LUMPUR: Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd has planted the first trance of its three million tree ambition through its Project RELeaf reforestation programme.
The programme was kicked off with a nationwide tree planting event and signified a formalisation of collaboration between Nestle Malaysia and TDM Plantation as its latest planting partner.
Under the partnership, TDM Plantation has pledged to contribute 514 hectares of land within its estates to allow Nestle to plant an additional 350,000 trees.
"This will further advance Nestlé's Project RELeaf goal of planting three million trees across Malaysia to restore riparian and forest ecosystems and protect wildlife as well as critical water supplies," it said in a statement.
Nestle Malaysia has seen positive progress in its reforestation programmes through strong partnership with different stakeholders to enhance its efforts with ongoing partners such as Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP).
Nestle Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the project is part of the company's nature-based Forest Positive strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change and lower carbon emissions.
This can be done by preserving Malaysia's forests and its biodiversity as well as promote sustainable livelihoods, which is in line with the company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.
"Through Project RELeaf, we aim to achieve 700,000 tonnes of carbon removal over 10 years. After the temporary interruption of our planting activities during Covid-19 lockdowns, the project is now back to full steam.
"Following this milestone of one million trees planted today we are in a good direction to cross the second million within the next 12 months, on track towards three million by early 2025.
"We hope that our partnership with TDMPlantation will also serve as an inspiration for others to join us in this journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for Malaysia," he said.
TDM Plantation chief executive officer said the initiative by Nestle Malaysia is a commendable initiative of which the company is pleased to be part of.
"Reflecting our commitment to safeguarding the environment, we are dedicated to our low carbon growth strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through various programmes. This also contributes to our approach to ensure healthy ecosystems for the nation," he said.
The nationwide tree planting event held recently was organised at five locations across Malaysia.
They were SDP Carey Island estate in Selangor, SDP Gunung Mas estate in Johor, SDP Melalap estate, in Tenom, Sabah, Hutan Simpan Bukit Bintang in Perlis and TDMP Jernih Estate in Terengganu, where the officiation ceremony for this new partnership with TDM Plantation also took place.