First Resources Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Mon, 06 Mar 2023 07:42:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 Case study: How First Resources promotes sustainability across its supply chain https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-first-resources-promotes-sustainability-across-its-supply-chain/ Fri, 31 Dec 2021 07:16:59 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=13168 First Resources is one of Singapore’s leading palm oil producers, supported by a workforce of 20,913 employees and managing 181,065 hectares of oil palm plantations. To ensure it delivers on its commitment to providing long-term economic and social benefits to communities while minimising its environmental footprint, This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by First Resources published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts […]

The post Case study: How First Resources promotes sustainability across its supply chain appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> First Resources is one of Singapore’s leading palm oil producers, supported by a workforce of 20,913 employees and managing 181,065 hectares of oil palm plantations. To ensure it delivers on its commitment to providing long-term economic and social benefits to communities while minimising its environmental footprint, First Resources is focused on developing a supply chain that is aligned to its sustainability policy.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by First Resources published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

First Resources is committed to achieving a fully traceable and transparent supply chain, engaging with its suppliers to bring them on board its sustainability journey with it. In order to promote sustainability across its supply chain First Resources took action to:

  • engage with suppliers
  • assess suppliers
  • collaborate with stakeholders

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report First Resources identified a range of material issues, such as fire prevention and management, labour conditions and human rights, conservation and management of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, business conduct and ethics, protection of High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests. Among these, promoting sustainability across its supply chain stands out as a key material issue for First Resources.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups First Resources engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Communities ·      Meetings with Community Development Officers
Customers

 

 

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Website

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report
Employees

 

 

 ·      E-mails and notice boards

·      Internal company meetings

·      Performance review
Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 ·      Annual General Meeting

·      Website

·      SGXNET

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report

·      One-on-one communication

·      Conferences/Non-Deal Roadshows
Banks and financial institutions

 

 

 

 ·      Website

·      SGXNET

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report

·      One-on-one communication
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

 

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Website

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report
Suppliers

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Group sessions
Regulatory bodies (including government)

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Reporting mechanisms

·      Multi-stakeholder forums

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics First Resources engaged with its stakeholders through an online survey and one-on-one interviews.

What actions were taken by First Resources to promote sustainability across its supply chain?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report First Resources reports that it took the following actions for promoting sustainability across its supply chain:

  • Engaging with suppliers
  • First Resources endeavours to communicate its sustainability policy to its suppliers with the aim of developing a supply chain network that embodies the Group’s sustainability goals and practices. Once it has traced where the supply of its raw materials comes from, First Resources is able to focus its supplier engagements with the key players in its supply chain. One-on-one meetings and group sessions are held to communicate First Resources’ sustainability policies and expectations, and to help suppliers understand the importance of aligning their practices with First Resources’ requirements. To date, feedback from participating suppliers has been generally supportive and constructive. Through constant dialogue with its suppliers, especially smallholders, First Resources hopes to build a relationship of mutual trust in order for them to feel confident in sharing information about the challenges they face in meeting new sustainability standards. A strong rapport with suppliers strengthens First Resources’ ability to support them in their sustainability efforts without compromising on its policies.
  • Assessing suppliers
  • Building on its traceability information and supplier engagement efforts, First Resources assesses its suppliers to make sure their practices are in line with its Policy on Sustainable Palm Oil. Suppliers found to be non-compliant will be given the opportunity to undertake corrective actions within a certain timeline. In line with its policy, First Resources will suspend sourcing from non-compliant suppliers found to be engaged in the development of High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests, High Conservation Value (HCV) areas or peat areas, using of fires during land preparation or in the exploitation of local communities, and who do not take immediate remedial actions. In 2019, First Resources did not find any suppliers in breach of its policy requirements. All new suppliers are also screened, using social and environmental criteria during First Resources’ supplier onboarding process. This process involves the signing of an onboarding form to acknowledge that they will comply with First Resources’ policy requirements, as well as providing their mill or estate information to fulfil First Resources’ traceability process. First Resources will verify the information provided, and companies who cannot meet its requirements will not be onboarded as a new supplier.
  • Collaborating with stakeholders
  • First Resources acknowledges that getting suppliers on board is not a task it can undertake on its own and, as a result, relies heavily on stakeholder collaboration. External stakeholders may hold better monitoring tools and intelligence to detect potential errant or non-compliant suppliers. In addition to its own assessments, First Resources leverages on external parties to help it identify suppliers that it should further assess and engage with. For example, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to protect the environment, sends to First Resources monthly reports of their deforestation detection. First Resources looks through these to see if any of the highlighted companies are in its supply chain, which require First Resources to undertake follow-up actions.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

2) Disclosure 308-2 Negative environmental impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

3) Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

4) Disclosure 414-2 Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

 

Disclosure 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria does not correspond to any SDG.

Disclosure 308-2 Negative environmental impacts in the supply chain and actions taken does not correspond to any SDG.

Disclosure 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria corresponds to:

Disclosure 414-2 Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by First Resources, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to First Resources: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How First Resources promotes sustainability across its supply chain appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How First Resources supports the communities where it operates https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-first-resources-supports-the-communities-where-it-operates/ Wed, 15 Jul 2020 03:43:13 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11032 Established in 1992 and listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2007, First Resources is a leading palm oil producer, managing over 200,000 hectares of oil palm plantations across the Riau, East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan provinces of Indonesia. This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by First Resources published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) […]

The post Case study: How First Resources supports the communities where it operates appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Established in 1992 and listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2007, First Resources is a leading palm oil producer, managing over 200,000 hectares of oil palm plantations across the Riau, East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan provinces of Indonesia. First Resources is committed to maintaining positive relations with the communities where it operates, contributing to the socio-economic development of neighbouring communities through community investment programmes.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2018 Sustainability Report by First Resources published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

First Resources’ Policy on Sustainable Palm Oil includes a commitment to drive positive socio-economic impact for the people and communities First Resources touches through job creation, investments in plasma projects and community development programmes centred on education, healthcare and infrastructure (including access to clean water). In order to support the communities where it operates First Resources took action to:

  • increase access to quality formal education
  • support infrastructure development
  • extend access to healthcare
  • improve access to clean water

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report First Resources identified a range of material issues, such as labour conditions and human rights, business conduct and corruption, supply chain traceability and transparency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, employee management and retention. Among these, supporting the communities where it operates stands out as a key material issue for First Resources.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups First Resources engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics First Resources engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Communities ·      Meetings with Community Development Officers
Customers

 

 

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Website

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report
Employees

 

 

 ·      Internal company portal

·      Internal company meetings

·      Performance review
Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 ·      Annual General Meeting

·      Website

·      SGXNET

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report

·      One-on-one communication

·      Conferences/Non-Deal Roadshows
Banks and financial institutions

 

 

 

 ·      Website

·      SGXNET

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report

·      One-on-one communication
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

 

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Website

·      Annual Report

·      Sustainability Report
Suppliers

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Group sessions
Regulatory bodies (including government)

 

 ·      One-on-one communication

·      Reporting mechanisms

·      Multi-stakeholder forums

What actions were taken by First Resources to support the communities where it operates?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report First Resources reports that it took the following actions for supporting the communities where it operates:

  • Increasing access to quality formal education
  • First Resources recognises that education is fundamental for community growth and well-being and works to increase access to quality formal education for both the current and future generations of school-age children in its communities. First Resources currently manages 38 schools located within its plantation estates, which include 13 kindergartens, 19 elementary schools, four junior high schools and two preschools. These institutions employ more than 250 teachers and educate over 2,500 students. The educational practices adopted are similar to those at schools managed by the local government. First Resources contributes to the schools’ facilities and teaching aids, such as furniture, computers, electricity generators and books. All children of employees working on First Resources’ estates are provided with free education at the schools. Scholarships were also awarded to high-scoring children from less privileged families, having been selected by local education authorities. To motivate teachers that work with First Resources’ communities, and encourage a higher standard of teaching, First Resources offers them additional incentives, such as supplementary income. In 2018, First Resources allocated and invested almost IDR3 billion to support the education of children. In addition to awarding scholarships, First Resources also established an internship programme that is run in collaboration with more than 30 Indonesian universities. The programme offers students an opportunity to apply what they have learned, expand their knowledge and benefit from valuable on-the-job experience. In 2018, First Resources took in 296 interns, consisting of students from various universities and high schools.
  • Supporting infrastructure development
  • As well as enabling First Resources to run its own operational activities more efficiently, better infrastructure enables local communities, including farmers, cooperatives, associations, businesses and local government, to have better access to healthcare facilities, educational facilities and markets. First Resources consults local village leaders on which infrastructure projects to support. Accessibility to roads, better road conditions and connecting bridges will improve the mobility of rural communities and support local economies. The roads servicing First Resources’ operating areas – which First Resources shares with local communities – are maintained to minimise disruption to First Resources’ operations and to maintain strong links to the main transport network. In 2018, most of First Resources’ infrastructure projects were carried out in its development areas at East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, where First Resources repaired 85 kilometres of roads and bridges.
  • Extending access to healthcare
  • First Resources has built more than 32 health clinics on its estates. These are staffed with qualified medical professionals, including at least one doctor and two nurses in each facility. The primary purpose of the clinics is to service First Resources’ employees and their families, but they are also open to local community members. The operating hours of the clinics are longer than those of the health posts managed by local government. Medical services such as immunisations for polio, measles and tuberculosis are available to communities upon request. First Resources has also established health-related community programmes, to improve the well-being of local residents and increase their awareness about the benefits of healthy living. Carried out in cooperation with local health authorities, the “Be Healthy with First Resources” programme includes treatments and advice for children, pregnant women and the elderly, as well as the coordination of blood donation drives.
  • Improving access to clean water
  • Infrastructure for delivering clean and potable water is severely lacking in some of the communities located near First Resources’ operations. First Resources has therefore made assisting villages with this basic need a priority within the scope of its community investment programme. First Resources’ efforts include the provision of clean water, new piping and water tanks, as well as the construction of new water wells for villages to ensure constant water flow. In 2018, this initiative reached three villages and benefitted over 246 families.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 203-1 Infrastructure investments and services supported

2) Disclosure 203-2 Significant indirect economic impacts

 

Disclosure 203-1 Infrastructure investments and services supported corresponds to:

 Disclosure 203-2 Significant indirect economic impacts corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • Business theme: Availability of products and services for those on low incomes, Economic development in areas of high poverty
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • Business theme: Changing the productivity of organizations, sectors, or the whole economy
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
  • Business theme: Access to medicines
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Business theme: Changing the productivity of organizations, sectors, or the whole economy, Indirect impact on job creation, Jobs supported in the supply chain
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Business theme: Economic development in areas of high poverty, Foreign direct investment
  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
  • Business theme: Foreign direct investment

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by First Resources, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to First Resources: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How First Resources supports the communities where it operates appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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