Over the past century, United Plantations Berhad has spearheaded the way towards sustainable palm oil of high quality. Our dedication to sustainable palm oil growth is shown in our implementation of best management practices, targeted at preventing or reducing any form of pollution whilst at the same time focusing on productivity and production efficiencies. We embrace the latest innovations and strive to remain as a leader within sustainable palm oil production.

Peat Management

Energy Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Zero Waste

In UP, we monitor the total amount of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane that are generated throughout our operations. Since 2004, we have collaborated with independent consultants from Denmark (2.0-LCA Consultants) to conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on the “cradle to grave” production of 1 MT of refined palm oil. Our on-going commitment and investments to this important area has resulted in a reduction of UP’s GHG emissions of approximately 63% (with iLUC and nature conservation) between 2004-2023. With more initiatives and further investment between 2021- 2025, our internal goal is to reduce UP’s Carbon Footprint per MT of refined palm oil produced by 66% before the end of 2030 when compared previous 2004 levels (with iLUC and nature conservation).

Carbon Footprint Initiatives

These commitments are incorporated in our Environment and Biodiversity Policy as well as our Human Rights Policy of UP. We ensure our employees, contractors, suppliers (including direct and independent/third party), trading partners, scheme smallholders (plasma) and associated stakeholders live up to these commitments.

The overview of our NDPE commitments are as follows:

No Deforestation

• No primary forest clearing policy was implemented since 1990
• Zero burn policy including for land preparation during replanting was implemented since 1989
• No development on High Carbon Stock (HCS) Forests and High Conservation Value (HCV) areas.
• We strive to maintain an open and dynamic approach towards continuous improvements in respect of conservation in HCV, HCS areas and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) Emissions. 
• We ensure No Deforestation and No New Development on Peat within our operations.
• Not to operate or develop within international or nationally designated protected areas
• Open burning is strictly prohibited.
• Capturing, poaching and hunting of native tree species and animal, especially Endangered, Rare and Threatened species are prohibited.

No New Development on Peat

• No new development on peat regardless of its depth since 2010.
• Best Management Practices for existing plantations on peat. 
• The management plans are implemented and monitored, which includes but not limited to the following:
  1. Water Management in Peat Areas
  2. Weirs for Moisture Conservation 
  3. Monitoring of meteorological parameters using weather stations These provide a large amount of micro-climate information critical to, particularly, make accurate fire-risk predictions. 
• Where feasible, explore options for peat restoration by collaborating with the relevant experts.

No Exploitation of People and Local Communities

• Committed to the protection and advancement of human rights including prohibiting retaliation, intimidation and harassment against Human Rights Defenders (HRD), whistleblowers, complainants and community spokespersons.
• Respect and recognise the rights of all employees in line with the Fundamental International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and the UN Declaration on Human Rights, the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other core values.
• Ensure all personnel are being treated fairly and protected from any form of discrimination.
• Ensure equal opportunities are provided to all personnel regardless of religion, race, age, gender, nationality or physical disability.
• Respect the rights of all personnel to form, join and participate in registered trade unions and to bargain collectively.
• All works are carried out voluntarily including overtime and Work on Day of Rest (WDR) as per the rate stipulated in the Malaysian Employment Act 1955.
• We ensure the living quarters for all workers are in compliance with the “Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990”.
• Contract substitution is strictly prohibited.
• All guest workers are allocated individual passport lockers and keys, in a dedicated secured building to which they have free access at all times.
• No worker shall pay any costs related to recruitments to come and work in UP in accordance with ILO Fair Recruitment Guidelines.
• No withholding of wages nor penalty for workers who choose to leave the Company, other than as stipulated in the employment contract.
• Respect the rights of people in communities impacted by our activities. 
• Respect land tenure rights as well as recognize duties and responsibilities associated with tenure rights.
• Respect customary or native rights of indigenous and local communities and we commit to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all negotiations prior to commencing any new operations.
• Resolve all complaints and grievances through an open, transparent and consultative process.
• Support the inclusion of smallholders into the supply chain.

The SDGs are unique as the goals and targets cover all of the key issues affecting us. They reaffirm our international commitment to end poverty, permanently, everywhere. They are ambitious in making sure no one is left behind. More importantly, they involve us all to build a more sustainable, safer, more prosperous planet for all of humanity.

United Plantations Berhad supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SGDs)

As a company with global operations, UP respects and recognizes the importance of its role in this global initiative. As such, the Group has mapped the relevant SDGs with each materiality topic and identified eight (8) UN SDGs with their specific targets that are most relevant to its business operations as well as key concerned materiality topic highlighted by the stakeholders as follows: