Biodiversity
Management Approach GRI 3-3 (2021)
Human and other living species cannot live without the ecological equilibrium. Biological diversity and natural habitats as an essential part of the ecosystem integrity is crucial for all life on earth, which could lead to impacts on economic, health, and well-being of humankind and other races. GC realizes and fully recognizes the importance of plentiful biodiversity and ecosystem services. Thus, GC has conducted the biodiversity risk assessment on operational sites throughout value chain to capable of evaluating the risk impact on each area, which could lead to the development of an appropriate management approach. Also, GC have overseen and carefully developed measures through ‘Mitigation Hierarchy Principle’ to prevent, avoid, minimize, restore, and offset environmental impacts on biodiversity throughout our value chain.
Mitigation Hierarchy Principle
- Avoid – GC commits to not operate or conduct any activities in critical biodiversity areas. GC also has Quality, Security, Safety, Occupational Health, Environment, and Business Continuity Policy (QSHEB Policy) that specifies company to strictly control and govern the business operations in order to look after and preserve biodiversity.
- Minimize – GC has implemented and developed many environmental projects, including biodiversity programs, e.g., applying eco-design to improve the product to reduce environmental impacts throughout the value chain, and the development of biodegradable plastic, etc.
- Restore – GC has continuously worked to nourish and preserve ecosystem through various reforestation programs e.g., Huai Mahat Forest Restoration Project and Eco-Forest Rayong Wanarom, etc.
- Offset – GC aims to expand the boundary of company’s current reforestation and ecosystem nourishment programs to other areas that considered as critical damage in biodiversity to sustain the richness of environment.
To ensure the biodiversity management and value integration, GC has commitment, compliance, and monitoring in own operation and suppliers. Any environmental impacts are into the consideration and the business decision process. The mitigations of biodiversity loss and deforestation are integrated and communicated within business activities, and with external organizations.
As abovementioned, GC demonstrates the commitment to achieve a No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity values within manageable boundaries as well as the commitment to appropriately maintain current and future operational sites to create Net Positive Impact (NPI), where applicable. GC also commits to ‘No Net Deforestation’ throughout value chain, including Tier-1 suppliers and business partners, and ‘No Gross Deforestation’ for our own operation’s activities, that also align with the Net Zero Goal (Compensation-Driven) in 2050. GC has defined the commitment and biodiversity targets to be aligned with the Net Zero Goal (Compensation-Driven). In this regard, GC targets to offset around 1 million tons of carbon using nature-based solutions by 2050
Additionally, GC has also committed to appropriately maintain current and future own operations to create Net Positive Impact (NPI), and no gross deforestation in petrochemical activities in Thailand by 2025.
GC has established regulations to manage relevant key issues in the Quality, Security, Safety, Occupational Health, Environment, and Business Continuity (QSHEB) Policy, the GC Biodiversity Statement, and the No Deforestation Commitment, which are issued by GC’s Board of Directors.
Engagement and Collaboration with the Biodiversity Network
Regarding biodiversity performance, GC collaborated with a variety of external organization such as communities, government agencies, academic institutions, and private organizations. We have collaboration with Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand Greenhouse gas management Organization (TGO) and local communities for mangrove forestation and conservation covering over 10,000 rai of land to reduce impact of global warming and biodiversity loss. The company also has collaborated with Kasetsart University – an ecological and biological expert, the Air and Coastal Defense Command (ACDC), and the Konrakpa Club under the Charklukya – Huai Mahat community to rehabilitate and conserve ecosystem and biodiversity covering 2,500 rai on Khao Huai Mahat Mountain in Rayong province. Furthermore, GC has cooperated with local community around the Asia Industrial Estate, Ban Chang sub-district, Ban Chang district, Rayong province to conduct plantation project that will increase carbon sequestration.
GC has initiated the 25-Rai Reforestation for CO2 Storage at GC Chemical Experience Campus, GC Rayong Office. The project is implemented across an area of 25 rai out of the total green space of 65 rai. When the trees reach five years of age, they will hold an annual carbon storage capacity of up to 74 tons (which is a higher absorption rate than terrestrial reforestation in general). GC has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on PTT Group’s 2-Million-Rai Reforestation Project with eight companies under PTT Group and various government agencies. GC has plans to plant additional terrestrial and mangrove forests in the future in line with the company’s Compensation-driven strategy. Such initiative is another key mission that supports the achievement of the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
| External Partner / Institutions | Collaboration in Biodiversity |
|---|---|
| Department of Marine and Coastal Resources | Supported and cooperated the activities in the coastal areas, and the participation in the activities with local communities. |
|
Kasetsart University Air and Coastal Defense Command (ACDC) Konrakpa Club under the Charklukya – Huai Mahat community |
The long-term development initiative with a 10-year timeframe from 2013-2023. The objective is to rehabilitate Khao Huai Mahat’s 2,500 rai ecosystem |
| Ban Chang local community | Cooperation in the implementation of the Rayong Wanarom Ecological Forest Project under the supervision of GC Group |
| On Nut Solid Waste Disposal Center Kasetsart University | Cooperation in the improvement of On Nut Solid Waste Disposal Center into 55-rai green space under “The More You Plant, the Better” project. |
| Eight companies under PTT Group and government agencies (Royal Forest Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources) | Planting 2 million rai of forest to develop planting areas, conserve terrestrial and mangrove forests, benefit from carbon credits, and promote community participation in the protection of ecosystems. |
| Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (ONEP) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) | Participating in a small group meeting under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support Program, working together to provide recommendations on national goals and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Volume 5 as well as drive OECMs in preparation for urgent implementation, leading to action under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This initiative is a collaboration between the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (ONEP), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), GBF-EAS consultants, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). |
Biodiversity Highlight Programs
In many recent years, GC has conserved and fostered biodiversity through many projects that are environmentally benefit. The examples of the biodiversity projects are “The More You Plant, the Better”, Huai Mahat Forest Restoration, Eco-Forest Rayong Wanarom, Marine Resource Conservation along the Rayong Coastline projects. and 2-Million-Rai Reforestation Project.
2-Million-Rai Reforestation Project
On 20 March 2023, GC joined the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2-Million-Rai Reforestation Project between PTT Group and government agencies to expedite the Planting Area Development, Conservation and Forest Ecosystem Project with the Royal Forest Department, the Planting Area Development, Conservation and Forest Ecosystem Project with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Mangrove Planting and Conservation Project for Carbon Credit Benefit with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. It also promotes the participation of local communities in the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources and uplifts the economic and social quality of life of communities located in reforestation areas. The 2-Million-Rai Reforestation Project by PTT Group will serve as another initiative to offset carbon by generating high-quality carbon credits through nature-based solutions.
The More You Plant, the Better
GC has joined in the effort to create green space by planting forests, including eco-forests and mangrove forests, in many provinces across Thailand to enable the natural absorption of carbon dioxide. The initiation of the project took place on 1 November 2022 in Bangkok, specifically on the 55 rai of land that was the former landfill site in On Nut Solid Waste Disposal Center, Prawet Subdistrict. Planting trees in this particular area was a challenging feat because the land had long been used for landfill, thus resulting in deteriorated land and soil conditions. In addition to increasing green space to cleanse the lungs of Bangkokians, the trees will also help to reduce PM 2.5 pollution, increase biodiversity and improve the environment. This is in line with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s policy to increase urban forest areas. Under the implementation period of three years (2022-2025),
This reforestation effort targets to absorb an average of 165 tons CO2 equivalent per year and release an average of 120 tons of oxygen into the atmosphere each year
Huai Mahat Forest Restoration Project
This eco-centric project came together through the collaboration of four organizations – GC, Kasetsart University, the Air and Coastal Defense Command (ACDC), and the Konrakpa Club under the Charklukya - Huai Mahat community. Together, they are
Rehabilitating and conserving
ecosystems covering
on Khao Huai Mahat mountain in Rayong province. Their shared aim is to rehabilitate the Khao Huai Mahat to be plentiful watershed forest that could help enhancing quality of life, economy, and local society. GC also encourages and support people in community to cooperate in forest and environmental conservation that favor in principles and sustainable manners. Currently, the 2,500-rai forest area can absorb greenhouse gas by 32,807* tons CO2 equivalent.
*Remark: Calculated from an area of 600 rai (from total area of >2,500 rai) and 2013-2018 carbon dioxide calculations. The project has been recognized as a Low Emission Support Scheme (LESS) project by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) or TGO
More detail on Huai Mahat Forest Restoration Project
Eco-Forest Rayong Wanarom
GC Group, led by GC Estate, joined the sustainable Eco-Forest Rayong Wanarom plantation project to increase carbon sequestration at the Asia Industrial Estate, Ban Chang sub-district, Ban Chang district, Rayong province. A survey indicated that the plantation area, which consists of a 80-rai plot, can store 640 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
A survey indicated that the plantation area, which consists of a
Can store
of carbon dioxide equivalent
Marine Resource Conservation along the Rayong Coastline Project
As GC recognizes the importance of rehabilitating marine resources, the ‘Marine and Resource Conservation along the Coastline of Rayong’ project was implemented to build a balanced and fertile ecosystem that supports marine sustainability in Rayong’s seas. It’s important not to overlook the local fishery which is essential to local residents and incorporates the provinces geography of beautiful coastline. The project’s activities encompass multiple dimensions to support both terrestrial and marine biodiversity. The qualitative and quantitative results of the improvement programs for the marine ecosystem including:
Building marine habitats using fish traps
Building coastal habitats for marine animals can help improve aquatic biodiversity along the coastline of Rayong province through the use of fish traps which provide a barrier allowing a fishery conservation area. This supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Project Operations and Performance: Built
Releasing marine species
GC, in collaborating with PTT Group, released marine species in suitable sea conditions including sea bass, spotted babylon, soft cuttlefish, black tiger prawn, and banana shrimp.
Project Operations and Performance: Released 16 groups of aquatic animals, including fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish, totaling to more than
Reforesting mangrove forests
Growing mangrove trees, including spurred mangroves which are common in Rayong province, particularly along coastal mangrove forests in Ta Than and the Gon Peek estuary, for the development and conservation of coastal fishery resources.
Project Operations and Performance: Planted two clusters of mangrove forests across approximately
Establishing the ‘Secondhand Engine Oil Bank’ Project
Reducing any environmental impacts caused by the inefficient management of used engine oil and generating income for the Fisheries Promotion Fund led by a local small fishing boat community in Rayong.
