Ecosystem and Biodiversity Protection
Key Performance in 2022
Manage biodiversity risks in risk areas
100%Cumulative planting
347800 treesRelease baby crabs into the sea of Thailand
301000 crabsKey Progress in 2022
Reforestation, Seed Germination, and Plant Nursery Project
WE GROW for ALL, we grow for everyone Project
Nature and Environment Conservation Project (Next Gen New World Project)
CPRAM Green Life #Plant for a Sustainable World Project
Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Alongside Thai Seas Project
Significantly Affected Key Stakeholders
Supporting the SDGs
Performance Against Goal
2030 Goal
100%All areas of business operations have projects in collaboration with local and national stakeholders or independent third parties they contributed to the reduction of negative impacts on ecosystems or biodiversity
Progress against short-term and long-term goals
Performance Summary 2022
Increase the areas of tree plantation for carbon absorption
| Project Categories | Area (rai) | Number of trees (trees) |
|---|---|---|
 Planting trees in the company area |
68 | 18893 |
 Collaboration with partnerships to seedlings for employees to plant |
72 | 14390 |
 Planting trees, growing careers |
178 | 35535 |
 Collaborations with other sectors such as communities, foundations, the public sector, and local organization |
5174 | 278982 |
Risks and Opportunities
Due to the current climate change crisis, which results in ecosystem imbalance and impact towards biodiversity, business operations impact affecting the environment and ecosystems should be reduced in tandem with global business industry focuses on business activities conforming to regulations and measures for the protection and restoration of global ecosystems and biodiversity. The Company is aware of impacts associated with the biodiversity loss crisis, which may escalate to natural resource loss, and agricultural land loss and impact the quality of life among farmers and community members. The impact towards the supply chain is a result of agricultural product decrease and quality degradation due to an unstable ecosystem, decline in soil and forest biodiversity, and continued loss of genetic diversity in plants and livestock. In addition, the Company aims to create a cooperation network between business sectors and non-business sectors in protecting and restoring the biodiversity of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through responsible actions for the environment and ecosystem life throughout the value chain.
Management Approach
The Company operates under the biodiversity and natural resources policy which encompasses all Company areas and operations in conjunction with Tier 1 Suppliers and other suppliers within the value chain as a means to avoid business activities which impose negative impact and affects biodiversity (No Net Loss: NNL). Simultaneously, the Company’s efforts include the establishment of guidelines to enable Net Positive Impact (NPI), increase fertility, and restore ecosystem balance. The Company applies the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) for initial biodiversity risks and impacts assessment to ensure operation areas and business activities are not located within protected areas as defined and required by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The tool additionally provides inspection capabilities to determine whether the area of interest is located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the Company has established a mitigation hierarchy approach and has cooperated with partners in rehabilitation projects to conserve natural resources, the environment in both terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems, and maintain biodiversity.
Biodiversity Risk and Impact Assessment
In addition to respecting and complying with the requirements and local laws on biodiversity, the Company focuses on assessing risks and environmental impacts pertinent to ecosystems and biodiversity in accordance with the organizational biodiversity and natural resources policy. The policy covers various areas of business activities, including production plants, distribution centers and retail stores at 100% of total area and supplier business activity areas at 100% of total supplier area.
Through the application of information technology combined with databases for potential biodiversity and ecosystem risk assessments, plans to prevent impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have been developed. Operational guidelines, which are jointly formulated with stakeholders, are continuously improved to prevent negative impact towards biodiversity and encroachment of protected areas where the Company and suppliers conduct business activities.
Scope of biodiversity risk assessment
CPALL uses of location-specificity in biodiversity risk assessment in prioritized 316 production sites, which covers Own operation sites of manufacturing facilities , Makro stores, Lotus’s stores and distribution center that is located out of local community areas, which might have impacts on natural capital through business operations, Adjacent areas of own operation sites, which is in between 0 and 10 km to landscapes, seascapes, and watersheds critical to biodiversity according to Biodiversity Risk Assessment Tools (IBAT/BESTCAT), Upstream activities of manufacturing facilities which are relate to our initial stages of goods production, and Downstream activities of distribution center which is related to delivering our goods to the end user.
Biodiversity Risk and Impact Assessment Procedures
Mitigation Hierarchy
Risk and impact assessments on biodiversity, which covers invasive pests, plant and animal biodiversity reduction, species migration, and ecosystem changes, have resulted in the development of a mitigation hierarchy purposed as a means to directly and indirectly mitigate biodiversity risks. This approach encompasses actions for reduction, mitigation and compensation. In addition, the Company strictly respects and complies with local regulations and laws on biodiversity conservation as an ecosystem and biodiversity impact prevention from business operations.
Targets to work towards no net loss are linked to CPALL’s biodiversity commitment and strategy. The mitigation measures of the dependency- and impact-related biodiversity risks has been developing, as well as the biodiversity and ecosystem programs has been implementing through the hierarchy mitigation as below;
Identification of the biodiversity risks
According to WWF Nature related Risk filter for Food retailing Industry and the location-specificity of the company’s direct operations and value chain, the biodiversity related risks are evaluated through the potential significant impacts and dependencies across our business in prioritized locations.
The identification of biodiversity related risks is categorized into 3 factors as follow; 1) Global Species Richness Impact 2) Threatened Species Impact 3) Soil and Water Dependency. The existing and potential risks has been reviewing, the company has been progressing risk management and measures, regards to a mitigation hierarchy.
Additionally, the collaborative projects have been driving through partnership with stakeholders and expertise to reduce impacts and enhance integrity in terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystem. More details about the collaborative projects, please see CPALL Sustainability Report 2022, PDF P.171-77, Document P.169-175.
Cooperation with stakeholders to reduce terrestrial ecosystem impacts
To drive and support the planting of trees for communities and society alongside stakeholders, the Company has established a perennial planting working group for a sustainable community. The working group performs forest restoration projects and respective follow ups under a framework of 4 aspects as follows:
In 2022, the Company has conducted projects and activities with stakeholders for both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem restoration and biodiversity protection, with outstanding projects as follows:
Planting trees in the company area Program
The Company and its employees have carried out tree planting projects in various areas to increase green spaces, create a desirable environment and improve ecosystems. At present, more than accumulated 18,893 trees have been planted.
Areas of operations
Areas within 7-Eleven stores, distribution center, office building
Educational institution area
Makro and Lotus's distribution center area and office buildings across the country
Areas within the responsibility of CPRAM
The Company recognizes and emphasizes responsible business operations with respect for the ecosystem and biodiversity in the communities surrounding operating areas through biodiversity preservation and restoration activities. In conjunction with suppliers and business partners, government agencies, and local communities, measures have been established to reduce biodiversity from business operations and restore ecosystems. In 2022, the Company has participated in joint programs with various partners, comprising:
Partnership program to reduce terrestrial ecosystems impacts
“WE GROW for ALL, we grow for everyone” Project
The Company allocates seedlings for employees to bring back to plant at their respective homes and support “Show off our plants”, an activity allowing employees to plant perennials and record their plant development through the We Grow application. The application additionally calculates the resulting carbon dioxide emissions reduction. This project has continued for the 3rd consecutive
year in 2022 with a noteworthy distribution of 14,390 seedlings to 7,195 employees.
Partnership program to reduce aquatic ecosystem impact
Mangrove Planting Project
Surat Thani distribution center works to conserve and restore coastal ecosystems in the mangrove areas, a nursey of marine juveniles and a habitat for marine lives annually. In 2022, the project planted 200 seedlings, as well as releasing 1,000 blue swimming crabs with the aim to conserve and restore marine lives. The effort includes beach cleanup to ameliorate the scenery in collaboration with Pumriang subdistrict municipality and local communities of Pumriang subdistrict, Chaiya district, Surat Thani province.
Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Alongside Thai Seas Project
CPRAM Co., Ltd. in collaboration with the Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center Region 3 (Surat Thani) and Viriya Crepe Products Co., Ltd. have implemented the Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Project for the Thai Sea for the 11th consecutive year, promoting blue swimming crab conservation in the Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea, and coastal areas of Surat Thani Province and as a case study for other projects related to sustainable supply chain management. This project envisions the strengthen of food security and reduction of business activity impact on ecosystems through the breeding and release of young crabs which return to their oceanic habitat. In 2022, the project has released more than 300,000 young blue crabs in the wild, representing a cumulative total of 1,000,000 specimens.
“Planting Trees, Growing Careers” program
"Sufficiency Bamboo…Toward a Sustainable Future" project
Bamboo, a local plant with significant market demand at present, is in short supply and requires imports to fulfill orders. The Company has implemented the "Sufficiency Bamboo…Towards a Sustainable Future" project for the 2nd consecutive year to promote income generation for schools through increasing bamboo planting and their transformation into products. Further benefits include environmental protection and soil rehabilitation supporting greenhouse gases absorption in accordance with Sustainable Bamboo Alliance objectives. The Company collaborates with schools in the "Building on the future of education CONNEXT ED" project through providing education regarding benefits of bamboo, breeding, cultivation, and maintenance, as well as allocation of water and soil resources. Knowledge associated with the benefits and processing of bamboo is provided via online seminars. Bamboo seedling for affiliated schools within the network is provided, in addition to other opportunities and marketing channels.
Impacts and Benefits
schools participated in the project
Support bamboo seedlings
Support value
total participants in the project
(7,400 students, 296 teachers and 29,600 community members)
Carbon sequestration
“Forestry School Concept” project
In order to fulfill the Company goal to promote the planting of 30,000 trees per year, the “Sufficiency Bamboo…towards a Sustainable Future” Project has been continued. The project provides the school with integrated knowledge of bamboo cultivation divided into various subject groups according to the core curriculum consisting of 7 topics as follows:
Learn how to cultivate seedings
Know the types of trees
Nursery and care for seedlings
Planting
Care and utilization
Result report; growth data collection
Promote planting and maintaining forests
Impacts and Benefits
schools participated
total participants in the project
(231 students, 29 teachers and 780 community members)
Carbon sequestration
Collaborations with other sectors Program
“Forest Surrounding Temples” project
The Company has implemented the "Forest Surrounding Temples" Project, an initiative of the 7 Go Green policy, through delivering seedlings to temples and communities. This approach enables ecosystem and biodiversity restoration, increased environmental integrity, increased community green space and sustainable environmental protection awareness including valuable resource management. In 2022, the Company has further expanded the project to a total of 120 communities in 4 provinces: Surin, Buriram, Sisaket and Sakon Nakhon, thus amounting to 68,900 trees.
Impacts and Benefits
seedlings delivered
community members participated in the project
temples participated in the project
support value
Carbon sequestration
“Pracharath Unity Pool and Organic Agriculture the Surin Way 4.0” project
The Company has increased green community areas and environmental conservation efforts through delivering seedlings for reforestation in Surin Province. In 2022, the project area has been expanded to a total of 17 districts.
Impacts and Benefits
seedlings delivered
community members participated in the project
support value
Carbon sequestration
Upstream Community Reforestation project
The Company, community groups and upstream parties through company initiatives have cultivated environment and nature conservation mindsets among students and communities through the creation of green spaces as a collective effort from community members for the community. This project emphasizes career building, income generation and providing knowledge from “upstream” process support or through seedling nursery, with support in building greenhouses, seedling nurseries and seedling funding.
In 2022, Non Narai community and Rajamangala University of Technology Surin led the project expansion in leadership capacities.
Seedlings from "Reforestation" nursery project were transferred to both the “Forest Surrounding Temples” Project for community
members to grow at homes, temples, schools, communities, and the “WE GROW for ALL, we grow for everyone” Project, which encourages employees to continue planting perennials at home.
Impacts and Benefits
seedlings cultivated
total participants in the project
(31 university academics and students, 111 teachers and school students, and 50 community members)
area coverage
Carbon seqestraton
“Planting Forests, Growing Futures” project
The project has continued for a 2nd year while providing seedlings for homes, temples and communities, with a delivery of 68,900 seedlings to temples in 4 provinces namely, Surin, Buriram, Sisaket and Sakon Nakhon. The collaborative reforestation with teachers and students at Mahithorn Wittaya School in Surin Province involved the provision of over 400 seedlings and planting knowledge.
The Khon Kaen distribution center has participated with local leaders, community leaders and government agencies in organizing provisions of over 150 seedlings to be planted at a public park in Non Chan, Muang District, Khon Kaen Province. The CPRAM and the Khon Kaen Lotus's Distribution Center at Nong Bua Di Mi Public Park, Muang District, Khon Kaen Province, jointly donated 200 seedlings which were planted.
Concurrently, the Phuket cold warehouse distribution center organized a planting event whereby 99 trees were planted at the Huai Nam Thor Community Forest Learning Center, Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province.
Impacts and Benefits
seedlings delivered
trees planted
Carbon sequestration
Natural resources and environment conservation project (Next Gen New World) for the 16th consecutive year
Lotus’s, in collaboration with the Khao Yai National Park Protection Foundation, have organized training events to educate volunteer youths and provide direct experiences to instill a sense of environmental cherishment. The aim consists of establishing a coalition for forest, natural resources, environment, flora, and fauna conservation while ensuring intactness of national park areas. In 2022, 200 high school students from Khao Yai Pittayakom School were invited to Khao Yai National Park to attend the Suraswadee Youth Camp. The management team and staff from Lotus’s have participated in forestation activities at Chet Sao Noi Waterfall National Park, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Muak Lek District, Wang Muang District, Saraburi Province Sai Yok National Park and the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi. The project includes a donation amounting to 2 million Baht. Currently, 47,700 trees have been planted in area of over 368,000 square meters or over 230 rai.
Impacts and Benefits
persons youths participate
trees planting
in an area covering 230 rai
Carbon sequestration
CPRAM Green Life #Growing for a Sustainable World Project
In relation to the United Nations Sustainability Goals and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, CPRAM operates nationwide projects in collaboration with government agencies and local authorities to provide employees, communities and interested parties with seedlings to be planted in homes and public community areas. This measure increases green space, restores and maintains ecosystem balance, and increases tree density across the country to absorb carbon dioxide. At present, the project has facilitated the planning of 15,160 trees in an area over 100,000 square meters or over 70 rai. In 2022, CPRAM has expanded projects and activities in various areas as follows:
Impacts and Benefits
seedlings were delivered to employees and community members
Carbon sequestration
| Operating Area | Cooperating Agencies | Activity Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ban Thung Din Dam area, Suphanburi Province |
|
Implemented the "CPRAM GREEN LIFE #Growing for a Sustainable World" project |
| Klong Takhian Forest Park, Chonburi Province |
|
ดImplemented the CPRAM Forest best for life project under the project “CPRAM GREEN LIFE #Planting for a Sustainable World” 4000 trees planted on 32000 square meters ( 20 rai) of land |
| Lamphun Province |
|
Implemented the project "CPRAM Green Life #Growing for a Sustainable World" 200 treeswere planted as a natural factory peripheral fence spanning an area of over 1600 square meters |
| Tapee Riverside, Surat Thani Province |
|
Participated in the volunteering activity "Preserving the River, Tapi Basin" Released fish species in the Tapi River and planting trees along the Tapee River |
| Ao Thung Prong, Reconnaissance Battalion, Chonburi Province |
|
ดImplemented the CPRAM Green Life project #Growing for a Sustainable World Planted over 700 mangrove trees at Thung Prong Bay, Sattahip Reconnaissance Battalion |
| 7 CPRAM areas nationwide |
|
Implementing the CPRAM GREEN LIFE project # Hundred thousand seedlings to hundred thousand trees In 2022, 13150 seedlings were distributed to employees and the public, raising the cumulative tota 76750 trees |
Ecosystem Transformation through Green Packaging programs
Plastic waste lies in the industrial business operations, especially in retail and wholesale businesses as all consumer goods require packaging. The importance of innovative packaging and packaging waste management in the industrial sector should be emphasized and continually developed to minimize land pollution and mitigate the negative impacts on the terrestrial ecosystem as well as on aquatic ecosystem.
CPALL stipulated Sustainable Packaging Policy and has engaged stakeholders to adopt packaging management guideline throughout the supply chain such as, eco-friendly packaging design and selection for Private Brand, reduce single-use plastics, packaging reuse or recycling, etc. The company’s packaging management is developed at the source of packaging waste and effectively monitored in order to minimize its impact on the environment.
The company is in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment led the campaign against plastic bags, declared an intention to refrain from plastic bag usage from 1 January 2021 onwards. The company also initiated the campaigns and programs which reduced plastic bag and single-use plastics usage around 5,191 million pieces in 2022
In addition, the company has under developed plastic waste management roadmap from 2018 to 2030 by applying the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework to drive the reduction of plastic pollution and to aim for the reduction of the consumption of plastic bags and single-use plastic.
Related Policy and Guideline
| Biodiversity and Natural Resource Policy | Download |
