PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited Honored at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020

SINGAPORE -�Media OutReach - 7 October 2020 - A total of 81 projects and business leaders across Asia were selected as
recipients of the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020 (AREA),
which was an increase of 27% from last year. Widely regarded as the gold
standard for CSR and sustainability practice, this year’s award ceremony was
organized virtually due to the unprecedented global healthcare crisis. A
diversity of industries and leading organizations from all over the region
received the AREA, demonstrating a continued dedication to responsible business
practices despite the pandemic.

Organized by
Enterprise Asia, the leading non-governmental organization for responsible
entrepreneurship in Asia, the AREA aims to recognize and honor Asian businesses
and leaders for championing sustainable and socially responsible business
practices. The award categories are Social Empowerment, Investment in People,
Health Promotion, Green Leadership, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy
Leadership and Responsible Business Leadership. Through the award ceremony,
this unique opportunity has provided over 600 attendees to interconnect and
celebrate virtually.

Company
Introduction

PTT Exploration
and Production Public Company Limited or PTTEP is Thailand’s leading
exploration and production (E&P) Company with the mission to sustainably
explore, secure energy resources and produce domestically and around the globe
while generating satisfactory return to stakeholders.

The Forest Restoration
for Eco-learning at Sri Nakhon Kuean Khan Park (Bang Kachao)

 

PTTEP,
the Royal Forest Department and Kasetsart University have jointly initiated
“The Forest Restoration for Eco-learning at Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park (Bang
Kachao)” project under the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn since 2013. Bang Kachao, also known as Bangkok’s green lungs
for its fresh and clean air, lies south of Bangkok in Samut Prakan Province.
The area has a unique character and a great diversity of flora and fauna. The
restoration project puts an emphasis on Bang Kachao’s ecological character and
the principle of sustainability with the goal of creating a forest with a
diversified forest structure and ecologically sustainable forest management, as
well as, building an eco-learning network and furthering conservation efforts that
will maintain these “green lungs” for the people of Bangkok and surrounding
provinces.

 

Preserving the
Environment for the Future

 

PTTEP
has defined a framework to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR)
initiatives globally in four themes, which are Basic Needs, Education,
Environment and Culture. The Forest Restoration for Eco-learning at Sri Nakhon
Khuean Khan Park Project is one of PTTEP’s key projects to preserve the
environment which reflects PTTEP’s commitment towards business sustainability
in which economic, environmental, and social factors are integrated. This
project was initiated under the strategic planning process including
Stakeholder Analysis, Development of Strategic Projects, Implementation and
Monitoring and Evaluation.

 

The
strategic plan was designed with three key drivers of project success which
are:

1) To
create an urban forest with a diversified forest structure and ecologically
sustainable forest management by growing additional plants and threatened
species with the forest rehabilitation process

2) To
initiate a nature learning centre

3) To
develop learning processes and promote ecological and cultural tourism unique
to the area.

 

The
project implementation comprised of Stakeholder Engagement, Green Space
Development and Research Study. Realizing that the success of the project
demands collaboration with various stakeholders, PTTEP has engaged among
concerned parties include Chaipattana Foundation, the Office of Royal Projects,
the Royal Forest Department, Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Forestry, Local
Authority, Community and Local Academic Institution.

 

Achievements and Impact

 

Over the last 7 years since
2013, the program has generated impacts on society at large. In terms of
Environmental Impact, this project has helped to create a forest with a
diversified forest structure and ecologically sustainable forest management, as
well as, building an eco-learning network.

 

A research conducted in 2011
by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation and the Faculty of Forestry,
Kasetsart University, showed that green space in Bang Kachao could absorb an
average 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and produce six million tons of
oxygen per day for the city of seven million people. The ecological research
study conducted by Kasetsart University during 2014-2019 showed that the
23.68-hectare area of the park absorbed 1,360 tons of carbon dioxide.

 

The 6.4-hectare forest
restoration consisting of three ecological systems, the project has planted
16,700 trees with 54 species resulting in the increasing number of tree species
from 90 species in 2014 to 126 species in 2019 or 40% increase. As a direct
result of the forest restoration at Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park, the research
also shows the increasing number of wildlife species from 29 species in 2014 to
38 wildlife species or 31% increase, plus over 100 species of birds or 40%
increase accounting for about 10% of all bird species in Thailand. To date, 360
youth have participated in the “Youth Guide Volunteering” program which helped
raise awareness on environmental conservation among the young
generation.

 

In terms of economic impact,
the survey shows the increasing number of visitors from 50,000 visitors in 2013
to 400,000 visitors in 2019. To date, there are over 1,000 disabled visitors.
With this regard, the project helped increasing the average income of local
communities from 285,575 THB or 9,200 USD per year before 2013 to 333,473 THB
or 10,760 USD THB per year in 2018 or 17% increase.

 

In terms of Societal impact,
this project has helped to promote the “Friendly Design” concept in Thailand to
create nature classroom that is usable to everyone, regardless of their age or
ability which has become a role model for others.

 

Future Direction

 

PTTEP
will continue to work creatively under the concept of “Natural Classroom” by applying
the knowledge bases on biodiversity and carbon absorption in the area of
23.68-hectare of forest restoration to improve the interpretive signs, as well
as creating digital learning media and establishing research project to create
innovations in natural resources and environment management for practical
implementation in the area.

 

In
addition, there are plans to improve the building to accommodate the increasing
number of visitors based on the “Friendly Design” concept that considers all
types of visitors. To raise awareness, PTTEP will continue expanding the youth
network for conservation, arranging the volunteer activities for PTTEP staff,
and promoting tourism activities by collaborating with local community networks
to enhance income and publicize projects. PTTEP will ensure project sustainability
through community engagement
and strategic collaboration with government agencies and academic institutions
for greater
outcomes in the future.

 

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise
Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is
rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive
economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two
pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship.
Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs and other organizations to promote
competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, in uplifting the economic
status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and
courage for the future generation. For further information, visit www.enterpriseasia.org.

About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards

The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors
Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship
in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion,
Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership and
Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit: https://enterpriseasia.org/area/.