Angela Lu, President & General Manager Asia-Pacific at SIG: “Our partnership with WWF Switzerland has unlocked huge potential for SIG to create positive impacts for forests and their local communities globally. With this second project, we will create tangible improvements in forest management and forest restoration in Ulu Muda while continuing to inspire others to support thriving forests.”

SIG joined forces with WWF Switzerland in October 2022 to support resilient forest ecosystems around the world through WWF’s Forests Forward program. As well as working on responsible sourcing in SIG's value chain, the five-year partnership aims to deliver targeted support for at-risk forests in biodiversity hotspots and deforestation fronts. The first project, launched in late 2022, helps protect and restore the Central Pacific Landscape in Mexico – a critical jaguar habitat.

Their second joint project, implemented by WWF-Malaysia, aims to strengthen the resilience of a landscape that can continue to provide vital ecosystem services for the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia – ensuring water security and enabling economic growth, as well as contributing to the nation’s food security. Empowering local communities to champion conservation is a key component of achieving this.

As one of the last remaining large intact lowland forests in Malaysia, Ulu Muda is a biodiversity hotspot. Located in the state of Kedah in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia, it is home to a huge number of plants and animals, including a large population of endangered Asian elephants. It is the most important water catchment for the region and its dams meet significant domestic, industrial, and agricultural water needs. More than 4,900 people from neighboring villages depend on Ulu Muda for their livelihoods and well-being.

SIG depends on forests for the wood fibers used to produce the liquid packaging board for its cartons. It ensures the sustainable management of the forests it sources from by purchasing 100% of the paperboard for its cartons with FSC™ certification.

SIG’s goal is to invest to create, restore, protect, or improve management of more thriving forests than it takes to make its products. Through the partnership with WWF Switzerland and Forests Forward, SIG is working to support projects on the ground that improve the sustainability, biodiversity, and resilience of forests.

Image: Sharifuz Zulhusni / WWF Malaysia