SK Innovation’s “Mangrove Reforestation Project,” a project undertaken by the company to protect the tidal swamp ecosystems and provide a proactive response to climate change, has been selected as a representative example of biodiversity preservation project in the Third ROK–ASEAN Environment Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 20^th, 2019.

The ROK–ASEAN Environment Forum, which is jointly hosted by Korea Environment Institute (KEI) and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), was held for the first time in 2017.

This year’s Environment Forum, which centered around the theme of “Private–Public Partnership Strategies in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service,” was held for two days from August 20 to 21 in the SEI Asia building in Bangkok, Thailand. The event witnessed the participation of global experts in the environment, such as Director Yoon Je-yong of Korea Environment Institute, Director Niall O’Connor of SEI Asia, and Professor Jeffery McNeely of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

▲ The Third ROK–ASEAN Environment Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand

The contribution of SK Innovation’s “Mangrove Reforestation Project” toward biodiversity preservation was recognized through a special invitation from the KEI and its introduction to the forum on the second session of the first day, “Sustainable Utilization of Ecosystem and Bio-service Resource.”

In the presence of government and international organizations involved in environment protection, Project Leader (PL) Park Hyeon-seob of SK Innovation PR Office presented the “Mangrove Reforestation Project,” which was an effort by SK Innovation to recognize the importance of mangrove forests in Vietnam and provide a proactive response toward climate change.

Participants showed great interest toward the role of mangrove forest in preserving Vietnam’s biodiversity; the “1% Happiness Sharing Fund,” formed by the voluntary donation of 1% of the paychecks received by SK Innovation’s employees; and the approach of the project through the “Vietnam Social Value Alliance*.” SK Innovation’s “Mangrove Restoration Project” was lauded as a prime example of sustainable development and environmental preservation.

(*) Vietnam Social Value Alliance: A Vietnamese social enterprise formed through the joint efforts of government agencies, educational institutes, media, nonprofit organizations, and private enterprises to gather their resources, capabilities, and networks in actively participating in mangrove restoration efforts, achieving regional economic development, and creating jobs

PL Park also introduced the “I Green We Green Challenge,” an environmental campaign undertaken by SK Innovation throughout the company, and the social enterprises being developed by the company in its efforts to generate social values.

▲ PL Park Hyeon-seob of SK Innovation PR Center delivers a presentation on SK Innovation’s Mangrove Reforestation Project

At the end of the presentation, PL Park quoted Martin Luther’s famous words, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree,” and concluded the presentation by suggesting that we plant mangrove trees, to great acclaim by the audience.

▲ PL Park Hyeon-seob of SK Innovation PR Center presides over the Q&A session after the presentation.

PL Park’s presentation raised a great interest in SK Innovation’s Mangrove Reforestation Project, especially toward its partnership and investment aspects. With this, PL Park commented, “Of course, the support of our partners is vital to our Mangrove Reforestation Project, but I would say that the most important partners in the picture are the regional government organizations, like the Administration of Forestry, because their help is essential in guaranteeing the continuity of the project. We have started the first projects grounded on our ‘1% Happiness Sharing Fund’ initiative on May 18, 2018, and we plan to invest some of our earnings from our social enterprises in the Mangrove Reforestation Project as well.”

Mangroves are viviparous** plants that grow in the coasts and marshes of subtropical and tropical regions. They can be found in 123 countries worldwide in an area spanning 150,000 km2 (slightly larger than Nepal) and process nearly five times more carbon dioxide than the average rain forests, allowing them to act as one of the more potent responses toward climate change.

(**) Viviparous plants: Plants that develop seeds before detaching them onto water or land

SK Innovation has recognized the importance of mangrove trees, prompting them to sign an MoU that involves the Vietnamese government (Trà Vinh Provincial People’s Council and Forest Protection Agency), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Vietnam’s largest logistics company Saigon New Port (SNP) for the “Mangrove Reforestation Project.”

The first of the mangrove tree planting schemes began in May 2018 in Trà Vinh Province, the site of Vietnam’s foremost mangrove forest, with the help of volunteers from SK Innovation and local residents. Four sessions have followed after, bringing five in total. These sessions have allowed SK Innovation to plant approximately 50,000 mangrove saplings in Vietnam, with additional plans to plant 75,000 trees over the area of 218,000 m2 during this year.

SK Innovation also launched the Vietnam Social Value Alliance** on April 23 of this year in Tra Vinh University to provide further drive toward the restoration of mangrove forests, followed by the opening of the first social enterprise of Tra Vinh Province, Manglub***, on the same day.

(***) Manglub: As a portmanteau of mangrove and love, the goal of this social enterprise is to spread social values through the mangrove restoration project. It is expected to act as the coordinator of the Mangrove Reforestation Project and a host of other projects, including mangrove seedling care, the merchandising of mangrove by-products, such as soap and honey, and ecotourism projects.

SK Innovation’s “Mangrove Restoration Project” was also chosen as a Best Practice activity by the BNBP**** (Biz N Biodiversity Platform).

(****) BNBP was established to facilitate the consideration of biodiversity as a rational alternative in corporate decision-making. Moreover, it was jointly established by the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization and the Korea Business Council for Sustainable Development with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Environment of Korea in 2016. BNBP’s membership today includes approximately 40 Korean industry leaders, research organizations, and associations, such as SK Innovation, Samsung Electronics, and POSCO.

▲ Mangrove planting activities from SK Innovation’s “Mangrove Restoration Project,” which was also chosen as a Best Practice activity by the BNBP – Source: BNBP

SK Innovation pledges to continue the “Mangrove Reforestation Project” to facilitate biodiversity preservation and provide a proactive response toward climate change.