Restoration & Conservation: Peatland Conservation

Since 2014, SD Guthrie has implemented a strict policy of no new planting on peat. Currently, 32,248 hectares (5.7%) of our plantations are located on peat across all our operations. 

The Group conducts drainability assessments at existing operations on peat in accordance with RSPO requirements and uses the results to plan the phasing out of oil palm cultivation on these lands. Suitable crops will replace oil palms on these lands to generate a higher water table or rehabilitate natural vegetation. Maintaining an optimal water level in peatlands is crucial to preserving their vast carbon stores, preventing peat fires, and minimising peat subsidence.

In the interim, SD Guthrie’s operating units continuously implement best peat management practices in compliance with the RSPO principles and criteria and the Group’s internal agriculture reference manual. In addition, the Group maintains existing vegetation in and around our oil palm plantations and engages with surrounding local communities to educate them on sustainable management of peat areas to prevent slash and burn activities.

Stories & Initiatives:

Peat Rehabilitation Model

Memorandum of Association (MOA) was signed between SD Guthrie and Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) to restore a 50 hectare of peatland in Lavang estate into a functioning rehabilitated peat ecosystem

Objective: To create a peat rehabilitation model as a research platform for academics and researchers and to test the RSPO best management practices for peatland management

Duration: 2023-2026

Collaborators: MPOGCF, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI), Forest Department Sarawak

Tree Planting

At SD Guthrie, our reforestation projects are central to our environmental sustainability and climate action efforts. These projects are carried out following the identification of land as "restore and connect" areas within our Conservation and Biodiversity Area (CBA) framework. This strategic approach ensures that our initiatives are in harmony with broader conservation goals and enhance ecological connectivity. By implementing these diverse and targeted reforestation projects, SD Guthrie is committed to revitalising ecosystems, increasing carbon stocks, and fostering a resilient and sustainable environment for future generations.

Program	Planted Trees
Reforestation & Rehabilitation of Orangutan Habitat in Northern Ulu Segama, Sabah, Malaysia	295,159
SDG Plant-A-Tree in Sime Darby Plantation estates, Malaysia	329,225
SDG Plant-A-Tree in Jentar Estate, Malaysia	136,036
Project RiLeaf with Nestlé Malaysia	588,981
Peat Swamp Forest Protection & Rehabilitation Project in Raja Musa Forest Reserve, Bukit Talang Estate, Malaysia	18,500
Riparian and Coastal Reforestation, Papua New Guinea	69,911
Ramu Tree Nursery, Papua New Guinea	96
Mangrove Restoration Numundo Coastline, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea	10,914
2020 – SDG Plant-A-Tree Kamuning Estate, Anak Kulim Estate (Polinea planting), West Estate (Forestry Selangor), and Sarawak Region (UPM & Forestry Sarawak)	83,150
Project ReLeaf with Nestlé Malaysia	1,118,669
SDG-BORA Stream Restoration	1,250
Sapong Forest Restoration	1,300
Restoration of biodiversity, carbon sequestration and enhancement of ecosystem within the CSA areas in Sandakan Bay, Sabah	272
1StopBorneo	250
Peatland Rehabilitation Model Project, Bintulu Sarawak	1,764
SD-PAT Damai	30
Rubber2Forest	41,967

Geotagging

SD Guthrie enhanced our Plant-A-Tree Programme by introducing a geotagging initiative to monitor the survival and mortality rates of planted trees. This initiative goes beyond basic tree planting, offering a more data-driven approach to conservation. To further promote awareness of our conservation efforts, the Group invites volunteers in the geotagging projects, further engaging the community in our sustainability and environmental goals.

Geotagging is the act of adding geographical identification data to photos, video, and other media recorded with smartphones or GPS-enabled electronic devices. The data consists of latitude and longitude coordinates and could also include timestamps or other contextual information. By geotagging a digital photo of a tree, we are also able to pinpoint the exact location of the geo-tagged tree and monitor it through satellites.

Under Nestle Malaysia’s ReLeaf project, a total of 26 estates were involved in the project from 2022 to 2024, and 23 estates successfully carried out geotagging at their respective sites in 2024. A total of 62,939 trees are now recorded spatially across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, with 58,734 trees confirmed to have survived.
Some estates also carried out their own geotagging initiatives, contributing to the overall conservation effort.

AGRO-Chemical Management

Reforestation and Restoration

Regenerative Agriculture framework