Global boiling caused by the excessive release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere represents a significant challenge that humanity must address urgently. Our past actions, driven by human activities, have unintentionally caused significant harm to the planet, culminating in an increasingly imminent crisis. This is most evident in the changes in climate, abnormal seasonal patterns, and rising temperatures worldwide, all of which are affecting our way of life in unforeseen ways. This is the driving force behind the environmental projects that SCGC has consistently undertaken. These initiatives are rooted in sustainable development, focusing on restoration, extension, and expansion, involving participation from all sectors—government, private sector, civil society, and local communities. The goal is to address the drought crisis, restore the richness of ecosystems, and tangibly improve the quality of life, creating jobs and generating income for surrounding communities. This effort is also a crucial step towards a low-carbon society, ensuring that tomorrow will be better than today.

Once a degraded forest area plagued by drought and frequent wildfires, "Khao Yaida" has made a remarkable recovery, thanks to the concerted efforts of all sectors over the past 17 years. These efforts have successfully restored the forest and established a stable water supply for the region.

Spanning over 10,620 rai, Khao Yaida covers three subdistricts in Rayong Province: Tapong, Klaeng, and Ban Lang, extending into Ban Khai District. This forest is an essential forest area for the people of Rayong. The severe drought experienced by Khao Yaida 20 years ago inevitably affected the lives of over 4,000 households.

In 2007, SCGC adopted the royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, King Rama IX, focusing on the conservation and restoration of watershed forests to address the crisis in Khao Yaida. This initiative has been successful, with collaboration from the government, civil society, and the Khao Yaida Water Management Community Network. Together, they have constructed over 7,600 check dams within the Khao Yaida area and planted more than 30,000 trees.

Through close collaboration with the community and environmental experts, an integrated approach to restoring the watershed forest area has been developed. This led to the creation of the "2 Cultivate 2 Collect" model, which consists of: Cultivate Human Potential, which focuses on instilling environmental awareness and a commitment to contributing to the common good. It encourages the participation of local youth in conservation efforts; Cultivate Rules, which involves establishing shared water usage practices to maximize the efficient use of water resources; Collect Water Resources, which is to maximize water collection through watershed restoration and bring innovative social solutions, such as the construction of check dams to prevent water from flowing into the ocean without being utilized; and Collect Data, which is to analyze and forecast water conditions, allowing for adjustments in sustainable agricultural practices.

Additionally, the "2 Cultivate 2 Collect" model is integrated with a "five-level forest planting" approach, which involves planting local species with varying canopy heights to support each other's growth. This includes: Underground Level, such as taro and yam; Ground Level, such as pumpkins and watermelons; Low Level, such as chili peppers and eggplants; Medium Level, such as mango and coconut; and High Level, such as teak and Dipterocarpus alatus. The multi-level canopy structure of these plants helps to slow down rainwater, allowing the soil to absorb it more effectively. In addition, the construction of nature-based check dams, designed to reduce flash floods and increase water availability during the dry season, has significantly contributed to the area's revitalization, resulting in a more abundant and lush forest ecosystem.

According to an environmental survey conducted in 2021 by academic researchers, the Khao Yaida area now sustains over 14 million cubic meters of water flow in its streams annually. The average temperature in the area has decreased by 1.6 degrees Celsius, and the forest helps sequester more than 38.5 tons of carbon dioxide per rai. This effort has also boosted the livelihoods of local farmers, generating over 79 million kilograms of agricultural produce each year. Furthermore, a study on biodiversity conducted by the Faculty of Forestry at Kasetsart University in 2012 revealed the presence of more than 120 plant species and 123 animal species in the area, including the return of some wildlife species, such as the Asiatic black bear, to the forest. These tangible results have significantly improved the lives of both the local community and the surrounding environment, leading to a better quality of life for everyone involved.

In addition to SCGC's ongoing initiatives in watershed restoration, green space expansion, and community water management, another significant project contributing to carbon reduction and increased green spaces is the increase of Thailand's carbon dioxide absorption through sustainable mangrove forest management. This project was carried out under the "2022 Mangrove Reforestation Project for Carbon Credit Benefits for External Parties," developed in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and SCGC as a co-developer. The goal is to collaborate with all sectors to restore degraded forest areas and expand mangrove forests to increase their capacity to sequester carbon dioxide.

This initiative aligns with the concept of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS), which involves conserving, restoring, and maintaining the environment so that nature can absorb and store carbon dioxide. Organizations participating in this project can use the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed to offset their greenhouse gas emissions (carbon offset) and/or engage in carbon credit trading. This approach is part of the goal of achieving a low-carbon society in the future.

At present, more than 500,000 saplings have been planted in the mangrove forests, with each one set to receive continuous care throughout the 15-year duration of the project. Beyond merely spreading seeds across various areas, this initiative also contributes to the local economy by employing community members for planting, maintaining the area, and patrolling the forest to prevent and protect against damage. SCGC has received approval from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) to register this project as a Premium T-VER, which is an advanced standard for voluntary greenhouse gas reduction projects in Thailand. This certification ensures stringent quality control, with an estimated annual reduction or sequestration of 1,551 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e/year). Moreover, the project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing inequality, addressing climate change, and conserving marine resources through mangrove reforestation. SCGC is the first company in the petrochemical industry in Thailand to have its project approved as a Premium T-VER.

Environmental problems are all caused by human actions, and the solution must be found by our hands as well. This involves changing our way of life towards a low-carbon society, reducing carbon in our daily lives, and collaborating to expand green spaces, restore, maintain, and protect natural resources. SCGC is committed to driving projects focused on Low Waste and Low Carbon to achieve a balance between economic, social, and environmental dimensions, creating a low-carbon society where both people and nature can coexist sustainably for a better tomorrow.