Water and biodiversity

United Plantations' plantations rely primarily on natural rainfall, with irrigation limited to nursery areas. Rainwater is harvested and conserved through a network of water gates, bunds, weirs, canals and drains, helping to maintain water availability during drier periods.

Water use and quality are closely monitored, while wastewater from mills and refineries is treated to minimise the impact on surrounding waterways and ecosystems. Further details are available in the Annual Report.

United Plantations protects and restores biodiversity through conservation areas, jungle reserves, wildlife corridors and riparian reserves across its estates. More than 8,000 hectares of land have been set aside for conservation.

Together with Copenhagen Zoo, United Plantations' Biodiversity Department monitors and documents wildlife and plant species, while conservation measures are integrated into the day-to-day management of the plantations.

The Annual Report sets out the conservation areas the group maintains and the work done on them.

United Plantations follows the RSPO New Planting Procedure, which requires assessments and verification before new oil palm developments. New plantings are intended not to negatively impact primary forest, High Carbon Stock areas, fragile and marginal soils or land belonging to local communities.

Since 2010, United Plantations has also followed a policy of no new development on peatland, regardless of depth.

Improving productivity on land already under cultivation allows more to be produced without requiring a corresponding increase in planted area. United Plantations therefore regards responsible land management and high agricultural productivity as important elements in limiting pressure on land and natural ecosystems.