RESTORING FOREST PRODUCTIVITY
IN 11,043 HECTARES OF COMMERCIAL FOREST
RESTORING FOREST PRODUCTIVITY
IN 11,043 HECTARES OF COMMERCIAL FOREST
Sustainability Overview
Over the years, Sabah has lost close to 25% of its natural forests. Unsanctioned logging, land conversion for oil palm plantations, and forest fires driven by climate change, have caused significant degradation to its lands.
To protect its remaining forests, the Sabah state government has established a total of 333 forest reserves. Various strategies have also been implemented as part of their Sustainable Forest Management. Among them is the development of Industrial Tree Plantations (ITP) to restore forest productivity and reduce reliance on natural forests for timber.
As a responsible partner in conservation, Jawala. has been licensed to manage and develop ITP in 1 1 , 043 hectares of Commercial Forest Reserve (Class II) in the Sapulut Forest Reserve.
Our first initiative was to conduct a High Conservation Value assessment of the area. Through its findings, we’ve set aside an area measuring 3,375 hectares (31 % of our total concession area) for High Conservation Values, which include wildlife protection, forest ecosystem, and community needs. The balance of 7,668 hectares is left for ITP development.
In a recent ESG ratings based on the United Nation’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), including Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, amongst others, Jawala achieved a score of 7.1 in the Forest & Wood Products Industry. The rating was conducted by SEVVA – an AI-powered platform backed by the UK government and developed by a UK-based fintech in partnership with the University of Cambridge.
Futher information may be found here
SDG Transparency Score for Jawala
Last score update: May 01, 2024
Land use Map
Our Sustainability Approach
At Jawala, our sustainability efforts are guided by 4 main pillars:
Reforestation
A Renewable Future through ITP
Environment
Protecting Biodiversity & Local Communities
Social
Nurturing Our Workforce
Governance
Ensuring Compliancy
Sustainability Compliance
As a responsible steward of forest resources, we are fully committed to following all regulations that protect and preserve the forest. We take proactive steps to safeguard it from threats such as fire, encroachment, and poaching. In addition, we follow a set of policies aimed at conserving the forest ecosystems, including:
- Protection of forest reserves, wildlife reserves, and virgin jungle reserves.
- Preservation of riparian reserves.
- Ensuring no toxic chemicals are discharged into rivers.
- Upholding a strict stance against illegal logging, hunting, fishing, and the use of explosives or poisons.
We are proud to have achieved a perfect track record of zero non-compliance incidents. For seven consecutive years, the Sabah
Forestry Department has certified that we meet all the requirements under the Timber Legality Assurance Scheme for industrial timber
plantations, with no gaps or observations. This recognition is not only a testament to our integrity and adherence to the law but also
highlights our dedication to responsible and sustainable practices that respect both the environment and the regulatory framework in
which we operate.
