Jakarta. Sustainable development is not only about protecting the environment. It must also create lasting benefits for people and communities, especially those living closest to the land. Without their involvement and well-being, sustainability goals cannot truly be achieved.

This principle has shaped the approach of APRIL Group, a pulp and paper producer based in Riau, Indonesia. It gained even greater focus in 2015 with the launch of the company’s Sustainable Forest Management Policy (SFMP) 2.0, which placed community development at the heart of its sustainability agenda.

The policy’s social commitments drew from the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and were further aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted that same year. By linking responsible forest management with tangible benefits for people, APRIL recognized a fundamental truth: thriving communities and healthy ecosystems are inseparable.

SFMP 2.0 reflects that belief—sustainability relies as much on people as it does on the landscapes they help to protect. 

Strengthening Community Capabilities

In Riau, where APRIL operates, the well-being of local communities is central to the company’s long-term sustainability journey. Its programmes span fire management, agriculture, business development, and forest conservation — all aimed at building local capacity and creating viable livelihood opportunities.

APRIL has committed to eradicating extreme poverty in villages within 50 km of its operations. As of 2024, 51 of 123 targeted villages have received extreme poverty interventions, helping lift 196 households out of extreme poverty.

A flagship example is the Fire Free Village Programmeme (FFVP), launched in 2014 to tackle Indonesia’s persistent challenge of land and forest fires. By focusing on prevention through awareness campaigns, community incentives, and continuous monitoring, the programme now covers 43 villages and over 900,000 hectares, resulting in a 90 percent reduction in fire-affected areas and a marked shift toward fire-free land practices.

Building on this foundation, APRIL has also supported Community Conservation Partnerships, to extend conservation beyond its concessions. The programme supports villages in protecting forested areas that might otherwise be converted to agriculture, by providing technical assistance and annual incentives that make conservation a viable livelihood choice. 

These initiatives gained further momentum under APRIL2030, the company’s ten-year sustainability vision launched in 2020. Its Inclusive Progress pillar prioritizes poverty reduction, livelihood improvement, and inclusive growth — ensuring that the benefits of sustainable business reach local communities.

Listening to Stakeholders

A defining feature of SFMP 2.0 is its commitment to listening and responding to stakeholders — from local communities and indigenous groups to NGOs, employees, and customers. This is not only vital to the credibility of the policy, but also a cornerstone of respecting human rights and fostering trust. 

Since 2015, APRIL has hosted 22 Stakeholder Forums, bringing together NGOs, banks, academics, and officials to discuss the company’s progress and challenges. In 2024 alone, three forums were held — in Jakarta, Samarinda, and Pekanbaru — drawing more than 100 participants. 

At the community level, Local Engagement Forums provide an even closer link. Here, villages can raise day-to-day concerns — from road conditions to employment opportunities — and receive timely responses. This grassroots approach ensures that input from those most affected by operations is heard, acknowledged, and acted upon.

These open channels for dialogue have improved transparency, strengthened accountability, and built mutual trust, essential in advancing sustainability and community goals.

A Living Commitment: Foundation for APRIL2030

APRIL’s sustainability commitments did not start and end with SFMP 2.0. Over the past decade, it has evolved into a living framework, shaping the way APRIL integrates community needs, environmental safeguards, and business growth.

“SFMP 2.0 is not a legacy policy, it continues to guide what APRIL does daily. It has been a proven catalyst for change and an enabler of business growth,” said Lucita Jasmin, APRIL’s Director of Sustainability and External Affairs. 

Building upon this foundation, APRIL launched APRIL2030 in 2020, a set of measurable targets for climate, nature, and people to be achieved by the end of the decade. This ten-year vision builds on SFMP 2.0’s legacy of advancing people’s progress and protecting landscapes as inseparable goals of long-term sustainability.

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