CPF Highlights “Food Security” as Strategic Key for Sustainable Business

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) highlights the “food security” strategy in a bid to achieve responsible operations throughout the supply chain and sustainably deliver sufficient quantity of quality and safe food. 

 

In 2020, crises, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 outbreak, have taken a toll on the economy, society and people’s livelihood. As a leading agro-industrial and food company, CPF is aware of its responsibility towards food security and for Thai society. Therefore, it was among the very first companies that extended assistance to society. 

 

Under the “CPF Food from the Heart against COVID-19” program, safe food has been delivered to the frontline medical personnel and their families, individuals in quarantine, low-income earners, migrant workers, vulnerable people and others. The program was initiated in line with CP Group’ philosophy to ensure sufficient food supply and indicate the commitment to stand by all Thais in times of crisis. 

 

Aside from continuous supply of safe food, CPF was the first Thai company that applied maximum safety measures for employees. The company also helped suppliers through the ”Faster Payment” scheme, that provides a 30-day credit to about 6,000 suppliers, to help them maintain liquidity and ability to keep workers.

Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Senior Vice President – Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development of CPF, said that the company stressed its emphasis on the 3 pillars towards sustainability – Food Security, Self-Sufficient Society and Balance of Nature. In support of the vision of “Kitchen of the World”, the 3 pillars highlighted efficient and continuous operations, to ensure the production of quality and safe food that meets demands and environmental conservation principles under the Circular Economy concept. The concept emphasized natural resources optimization.

   

Additionally, CPF integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the 3 pillars to sustainability. From a total 17 goals, CPF is committed to accomplish 13 goals. Sustainability strategies have been reviewed regularly, to cope with changing global conditions and new challenges so that the operations can proceed and achieve continuous growth.      

 

Mr. Wuthichai added that the 2020 Sustainability Report also presented CPF’s successful resource management in line with the Circular Economy concept. The company witnessed higher efficiency in natural resource utilization in the past year; for example, raw water usage per unit of product dropped by 36% compared to the 2015 base year while water recycling and reuse increased by 42%. In the year, greenhouse gas emissions were slashed by 586,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, resulting from many activities such as packaging made from 99.9% disposal materials that promises reuse and recycling; energy efficiency; and an increase of renewable energy ratio in the production process to 26%. 

 

In 2020, the company fulfilled 7 sustainability goals including a cut in energy consumption per unit of product, lower dependence on raw water and lower waste to landfill. CPF strives to accomplish the remaining goals which include a cut in greenhouse gas emissions. On the path to become a low-carbon organization and help combat global warming, it plans to continuously lower emissions from the operations, enhance production efficiency, promote renewable energy, create climate-friendly products, improve logistics and reduce food waste and food loss using nature-based solutions.

 

CPF has been devoted effort to conserving and restoring mangrove forests including 5,971 rai of Rak Ni-Ves, Pasak Watershed, Khao Phraya Doen Tong Project in Lop buri, 2,388 rai of Grow-Share-Protect Mangrove Forestation Project in Samut Sakhon, Rayong, Chumphon, Phang Nga, and Songkhla provinces. The company also planted 1,720 rai of trees within its farms and operations. These projects have supported food safety and food security at a community level.

 

Mr. Wuthichai asserted that under the 2030 sustainability strategy, CPF will emphasize food innovations and strengthen personnel’s capability in adjusting to changes and lifetime learning. The company also strives for “Net-Zero” policy, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and food waste via the Circular Economy concept. The goal is to lead a change in the national and global level and generate shared value to stakeholders, to become an organization that contributes to global food security in a sustainable manner. 

 

CPF has published a Sustainability Report since 2011, to communicate the company’s sustainability performance under a vision to be a “Sustainable Kitchen of the World”. This year’s report is printed with environmentally-friendly ink and paper. The full report is published on the company’s website: https://www.cpfworldwide.com/en/sustainability/report.