PALMOILMAGAZINE, SINGAPORE — Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has reinforced its position as one of the most transparent agribusiness companies in the region after securing two major recognitions at the 11th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA). The company won Platinum for Asia’s Best Supply Chain Reporting and Bronze for Asia’s Best Environmental Impact Reporting, reflecting its high standards in sustainability disclosure.
According to Anita Neville, Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer, the awards are not merely public recognition but the result of the company’s long evolution in developing sustainability practices. “These awards affirm our commitment to rigorous sustainability reporting and continuous improvement,” she said, as quoted from ESGPost.
As one of the world’s largest integrated palm oil companies, GAR manages more than 500,000 hectares of plantations and works with over 800,000 smallholders. This scale makes sustainability reporting a core governance foundation rather than a compliance exercise. Neville emphasized that the achievements stem from collective effort supported by verifiable data, long-term commitment, and real impact on the ground.
Since publishing its first sustainability report in 2011, GAR has transformed its approach from compliance-oriented reporting to strategic storytelling that highlights progress, challenges, and impact. Its latest report introduces the Collective for Impact framework, outlining commitments to decarbonization, nature protection, and community economic empowerment.
GAR has also expanded external assurance to strengthen data credibility. After initiating supply chain verification in 2022, the company now includes independent audits for greenhouse gas emissions. Two standout areas in its reporting are supply chain transparency—including traceability and supplier engagement—and environmental performance metrics such as emission reductions and renewable energy adoption.
Beyond numbers, GAR’s reports feature real community impact stories, including smallholder training programs and local empowerment initiatives. The company now applies a double materiality approach, assessing how operations affect the environment and society and how ESG factors influence long-term business resilience.
To maintain data integrity across its vast supply chain, GAR implements multi-layered governance systems, from internal verification to quarterly reviews by its sustainability committee. External assurance continues to expand across different operational areas.
GAR is preparing to align its reporting with ISSB and TNFD standards, which Neville believes will shift sustainability reporting from regulatory compliance to a strategic tool for driving efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth. She also highlighted her pride in the Sawit Terampil program, which aims to train 100,000 farmers by 2035, as well as early childhood education initiatives developed through partnerships such as with ADM.
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Neville noted that sustainability is embedded at the core of GAR’s business strategy, integrated into every function through operational targets, regular training, and data-driven reviews. The company continues investing in technologies such as methane capture and solar panels to support efficiency, resource conservation, and GHG emission reductions.
She believes high-quality sustainability reporting requires the courage to present real impact transparently. “Stop viewing sustainability reporting as an obligation. Turn it into a platform to demonstrate real change,” she said. “Be transparent about progress and challenges, build collaboration, and let the data speak.”
Neville added that the best sustainability reports convey not only numbers but also the human stories and transformations behind them. (P2)
