APRIL Group has announced new measures to ensure deforestation is completely eliminated from its supply chain through its Sustainable Forest Management Policy (SFMP) 2.0.

The enhanced policy, released today 3 June 2015 in Jakarta, builds on the company's landscape approach to conservation and means APRIL Group:

- Will not undertake any new development on forested land or forested peatland.

- Has added High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments to existing High Conservation Value (HCVF) assessments.

- Reinforces unprecedented landscape conservation that will deliver conservation areas equal in size to its 480,000 ha of plantation; 70% already completed.

- Strengthens peatland management with establishment of Peat Expert Working Group (PEWG); will track and report carbon footprint.

- Enhances programmes for poverty alleviation, job creation, access to education and Free, Prior, Informed Consent rights for local communities.

- Strengthens cooperation with NGOs.

"This is a major step in our 15-year sustainability journey. This is about elimination of deforestation from our supply chain and builds on our longstanding commitment to conservation. We are delivering on conservation, social and economic benefits for Indonesia and a sustainable future for the company and our customers," said APRIL Group President, Praveen Singhavi.