Reducing carbon emissions is not solely the responsibility of governments; it is also a crucial task for businesses managing natural resource-based operations. This is exemplified by the initiatives taken by Sinar Mas Agribusiness & Food and SD Guthrie Malaysia.

In the ever-evolving palm oil industry, SD Guthrie, a key player in the Malaysian palm oil sector, has made significant strides to ensure its operations are not only economically viable but also environmentally friendly and sustainable. Rashyid Redza Anwarudin, Chief Sustainability Officer of SD Guthrie, recently shared the company's vision and efforts to achieve these goals through a framework they call "Beyond Zero."

SD Guthrie operates across various regions, managing approximately 600,000 hectares of plantation land, with 300,000 hectares in Malaysia, another 300,000 hectares in Indonesia, and 100,000 hectares in Papua New Guinea. "From these lands, SD Guthrie produces around 2.4 million tons of palm oil annually, all certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This palm oil is then distributed to various global markets, including Europe, the UK, Africa, the United States, Asia Pacific, and Oceania," he explained.

In 2023, SD Guthrie launched the "Beyond Zero" framework, designed not only to minimize negative environmental impacts but also to enhance the positive contributions of the palm oil industry. Rashyid emphasized that sustainability narratives often focus solely on minimizing environmental damage. However, SD Guthrie believes that the industry has significant potential to provide positive social and environmental contributions.

The "Beyond Zero" framework consists of three main pillars. The first, Zero (No Negative Impact), focuses on reducing the negative impacts of the company's operations, particularly concerning climate change. SD Guthrie is committed to achieving net-zero emissions and has set ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050. Additionally, the company aims to eliminate deforestation within its operations and supply chains while enhancing sustainable agricultural practices.

The second pillar, Restore (Restoring Nature), aims to create positive impacts on nature through conservation and restoration efforts. SD Guthrie is actively involved in reforestation, biodiversity protection, and developing regenerative agricultural frameworks. The goal is to improve soil health and ensure that their lands remain productive for future generations.