100 communities in using this wonder plant. They are now part of PTT’s vetiver grass network and are actively promoting the cultivation and utilization of vetiver. Engaging Communities The secret behind PTT’s successful corporate social responsibility projects is the strong relationship with the communities where they operate. Public forums are conducted to brainstorm ideas with all stakeholders. PTT uses “participatory management” to ensure that representatives from every sector have a direct hand in managing the conservation projects. Apart from providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to villagers, the oil company also educates them about the need to conserve the natural resources in their area, highlighting that “if they take good care of the environment, the environment will continue to take good care of them.” Benefits from PTT’s Projects PTT’s projects provide economic, social and environmental benefits to communities where the company operates. Economic benefits include stimulation of economic growth where projects are implemented; teaching people about His Majesty the King’s self-sufficiency economy theory; and providing infrastructures to support the community’s wellbeing. Social effects include creation of jobs in the communities; opportunities to learn and gain access to knowledge resources aimed at creating equality among people; transfer of knowledge management tools for community’s benefit; people’s participation in decision making; and establishment of a biodiversity conservation network. Environmental effects include strengthening of environmental conservation efforts of the community; creation of awareness on environmental conservation; community decision making on environmental protection and conservation; and implementation of reforestation of wasted areas. PTT as Role Model for the Business Sector For PTT, biodiversity conservation is a key step toward sustainable development. One of its goals is to serve as a role model for biodiversity conservation and advocacy. To achieve this, the company is actively promoting the relationship between business and biodiversity in forums not only in Thailand, but elsewhere in the world. Its efforts have not gone unnoticed. It has received numerous awards for its conservation projects, including the Platts Global Energy Award, an outstanding award on the Promotion of Biodiversity Conservation from Thailand’s Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning; Thailand Corporate Excellence Awards from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; Corporate Social Responsibility Awards from the Stock Exchange of Thailand; and the King of Thailand Vetiver Awards. ASEAN Champion of Biodiversity In May 2011, PTT was recognized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), the ASEAN Foundation (AF) through the Japan- ASEAN Solidarity Fund, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the European Union (EU), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Asian Institute of Journalism (AIJC) as the second placer in the business category of the ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity. The ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity is a recognition programme for outstanding projects on biodiversity conservation and advocacy in the ASEAN region. The award is aimed at generating greater leadership, public and media awareness of the problems facing the region’s rich but highly threatened biodiversity and the need for a concerted effort in biodiversity conservation and advocacy. With this award, PTT became part of ACB’s cadre of champions who serve as Ambassadors of Goodwill for biodiversity conservation. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 51
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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