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Balancing Industrial Growth with Urban Forest Planting

From electricity consumption and infrastructure development to manufacturing and distribution, the industrial sector stands among the world’s largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), direct industrial emissions account for nearly 22% of total global emissions, while indirect emissions – from electricity and industrial heat – contribute another 31%. This places the industrial sector at the center of the climate challenge and makes it a priority for emission reduction.

Recognizing this responsibility, Jaya Obayashi has strengthened its commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental protection through sustainability-driven initiatives. Hardy Tekyawan, a member of the company’s Board of Directors, explained the company not only complies with ISO 14001 international environmental management, but also strives to go beyond compliance by taking direct action.

“Our parent company is deeply committed to sustainability and, as a construction subsidiary, we are encouraged to actively contribute as well. It’s no longer just about meeting regulations, but about taking part in real environmental action,” he said

Turing Commitment into Action: 500 Trees for Urban Forest Expansion

As part of their ongoing sustainability efforts, Jaya Obayashi has committed to expanding the urban forest located within the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) area in Cikarang, West Java – one of Indonesia’s largest and most active industrial hubs in the Greater Jakarta region. With support from Trees4Trees, Jaya Obayashi recently planted 500 trees in this location.

Kentaro Miyashita, Jaya Obayashi’s General Affairs Admin Advisor, confirmed that over 50 employees from various divisions took part in this initiative as planting volunteers. “Every year, we improve and strengthen our sustainability program, while also encouraging more staff to connect to environmental protection efforts,” he said.

Hardy added that the company’s approach to sustainability applies across all business levels, from head office to project sites. “Our internal engagement must be strong, so everyone consciously participates in environmental responsibility.”

Balancing Industrial Growth with Urban Forest Planting — Hardy (left), a member of the Jaya Obayashi Board of Directors, receives a tree-planting certificate from Trees4Trees’ Director, Pandu Budi Wahono.

Beyond Compliance: Annual Sustainable Programs

Ramdan and Tasya, from the Jaya Obayashi Corporate Communications and Legal team, also explained that urban reforestation is one of several environmental programs which the Company carries out on a regular basis. “In addition to this tree-planting activity,” explained Ramdan, “we also conducted mangrove planting from 2022 to 2024 and have continued our upcycling program for old employee uniforms.”

Both went on to emphasize that these efforts are designed, not only to address environmental impact, but also to build a culture of awareness within the organization. By engaging and involving employees, the company aims to strengthen environmental consciousness through practical action.

Jaya Obayashi staff plant trees — (Above) Ramdan (crouching in the center) and Tasya (second from the right), together with other Jaya Obayashi employees finish planting trees in a plot of land within the GIIC industrial area. (Below) Over 50 members of staff from Jaya Obayashi join in the tree-planting activity.

Reversing the Damage, Contributing to Climate Action

The urban forest planting initiative forms part of Jaya Obayashi’s broader vision to help restore the ecological function of industrial landscapes – areas often exposed to higher temperatures, increased emissions, and land degradation. Tree planting serves as a way to mitigate ecological stress while contributing to positive climate action.

“We all know that global warming is worsening,” says Ramdan. “Through initiatives like this, we are aligning our efforts with the UN SDGs by taking real action.” The company hopes the newly planted trees will provide long-term environmental improvements, while converting unused areas into green buffer zones.

Tomi Bustomi, Trees4Trees’ Regional Manager for West Java, explained that a mix of tree species was selected to accelerate canopy formation. “These trees sequester emissions and produce oxygen,” he said. “We use a combination of shade trees like rain trees along with fast-growing species such as gmelina, albizia, and cadamba to speed up greening and ecological recovery.”

The event was also joined by Trees4Trees Green Ambassadors Tantri (Kotak) and Arda Hatna, whose presence brought extra excitement to the initiative. “The energy and enthusiasm were incredible,” said Tantri. “We hope these trees will help ease today’s climate challenges, growing into shade and absorbing emissions in this industrial area.”

Their participation shows how collective action can inspire more people to take part in real climate solutions.

Arda and Tantri plant trees with Trees4Trees — Arda and Tantri, Trees4Trees green ambassadors joined the tree-planting as volunteers.

A Sense of Peace and Purpose

Hardy emphasized that the initiative is meant, not only to restore the environment, but also to demonstrate the value of trees to human life. “We love trees because they give us oxygen and support the well-being of humankind and all living creatures. I hope this program inspires others to follow a similar path,” he said.

Sharing the same sentiment, Kentaro highlighted the cultural perspectives rooted in the company’s Japanese heritage. “Wooden houses are traditionally very common in Japan, so we naturally feel a cultural closeness to trees,” he explained. Trees, he noted, symbolize both beauty and life. “When we look at trees, they bring a sense of peace. The greenery is soothing to the eyes.”

In closing, he emphasized that protecting trees today means protecting the future. Continuing planting and protecting trees is not just an environmental responsibility, but also a way of preserving life and culture for future generations.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photos: Yulianisa Dessenita

#GIIC #JayaObayashi #UrbanForest bekasi csr trees4trees

Extending Reforestation in Bojonegoro: An Initiative for a Greener Future

It was 9 AM in the morning in Pandantoyo Village in Bojonegoro Regency, but it was already blazing hot. Some locals, however, said it was milder compared to the dry season. Even in 2019, the temperature reached 44 degree Celcius at midday. Incredibly hot days those were!

Although the temperature stood at 32 degrees Celsius that morning, according to AccuWeather, staff of Alliance One Indonesia and Indonesia Tri Sembilan gathered to volunteer in a tree-planting event, continuing their companies’ reforestation commitment.

“This is our second year planting trees together with Trees4Trees. This year, we’re continuing the effort by planting more trees in Pandantoyo and two other villages,” said Iba Swasono, the Alliance One Indonesia Operational Manager for Bojonegoro Regency. He also emphasized that this year, both companies have planted a total of 11,000 trees to improve the environment and support local communities.

Extending Reforestation — Despite the scorching heat, all participants including Iba Swasono (below) joined the tree-planting enthusiastically.

Involving Staff and Local Communities in a Green Mission

Around 30 staff members from both companies joined the event, working together to plant 400 trees. In addition to involving staff as volunteers, local communities and farmers partnering with the companies were also engaged.

“I am very excited to see farmers and local communities involved in this initiative and this is the most exciting part of it,” said Leandro Silveira, President Director of Alliance One Indonesia.

Baroroh, Program Department Head of Indonesia Tri Sembilan, shared that the company engages all staff in tree-planting, not only at events but also around plantation sites and their homes. Despite the challenges of the tree-planting event in the heat, she found it rewarding. “It’s exciting to learn which trees thrive in Bojonegoro’s heat. More importantly, we’re helping reduce carbon emissions,” she said.

plant trees — Baroroh (above), who participated in the tree-planting event for the past two years, planted trees with her team. All participants were full of spirits joining the event (below).

Planting Trees, Addressing Complex Environmental Issues

The environmental issues in Bojonegoro are complex. The regency is known for its rich petroleum reserves, which are believed to contribute to rising temperatures due to petroleum industry activities. Large-scale deforestation has also played a role in temperature spikes, driven by the rapid development of plantations, residential areas, and local farming activities.

“The temperature wasn’t as high as it is now. Since many trees have been cut down, the days have felt much hotter,” explained Yatemi, a local resident. She lives near an open plot of land that was once cultivated with sugarcane, but remained unproductive, without shading trees.

Ade, a local farmer, shared that in addition to raising livestock, many locals rely on farming as their primary livelihood. “We plant crops that thrive in hot temperatures, such as corn, sugarcane, and tobacco,” he said. Despite the significant profits, unfortunately they are not familiar with sustainable farming practices, leading to a significant tree cover decline. This has resulted in local communities facing not only land degradation and soaring temperatures but also drought and water scarcity.

“When the dry season comes, Pandantoyo village struggles with clean water access due to water sources drying up,” said Khoirum Minan, the Trees4Trees Unit Manager responsible for tree planting in Bojonegoro.

A Sustainable Program for A Healthier Environment

With the sustainable tree-planting initiative of both companies, positive impacts on the environment and people in Bojonegoro are expected. According to Iba, the main goal is to restore critical areas and plants trees that yield benefits, positively affect the community and the environment. “Communities depend on the environment. So, if the environment is damaged, it will affect the surrounding communities,” said Iba.

Supporting this initiative, Trees4Trees provided three species of trees to help achieve environmental and social impacts. “We provide indigofera, highly beneficial as livestock fodder. Additionally, we planted jackfruit trees for their economic value and suren trees for their pest-prevention benefits in community forestry. All of these are also resistant to hot temperatures,” said Pandu Budi Wahono, the Trees4Trees Director.

As part of both companies’ sustainability program, the initiative aims to plant 6,000 trees this year, with plans to continue planting annually to reach 53,000 trees in total.

“We know sustainability takes time. We cannot grow all the trees in just one year. The trees we are growing now are not to be cut or used in production but to improve the environment where our farmer community lives. That’s why we’ll plant each year and keep continuing in the coming years,” said Silveira.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Yulianisa Dessenita

#PlantingEvent Bojonegoro csr

The Story of Euis Maryati: Widowed and Planting Trees to Support Her Family

For a woman with four children, it is never easy being a single parent. This is how Euis Maryati (57) feels. She is one of the farmers in Patrolsari Village, Arjasari District. Since a few years ago, she had to be a mother and also head of the family.

As a widower, her life is struggling. Even though, she keeps herself motivated to be a strong woman for the sake of her family. Unlike common life of most women in her village, her daily life is not only about taking care of the household things, but also making income to fulfill her family’s needs. Otherwise, she has to work harder than anyone else.

Farming Crops is not Enough to Fulfill Her Family’s Daily Needs

Fortunately, Euis Maryati has a field that she can plant many kinds of plants. Most of them are seasonal food crops. Through her field, she can depend her life to the crops’ yield. “Here, I planted various kind of food crops. I planted chilies, cassava, ground nuts, and red bean. There is also corn. Usually, I harvest my seasonal crops once in every two to three months,” said Euis Maryati.

Afterwards, she sells her crops in a traditional market around her village. Some of the crops are also self-consumed by her family. According to Euis Maryati, by planting crops, at least she does not have to worry if some days she does not have enough money to buy food. Still, she can pick some food crops from her field for her own family consumption.

Euis Maryati: Widowed and Planting Trees to Support Her Family — Euis Maryati has harvested crops from her field. Photo: Trees4Trees/Kemas Duga Muis

Even though, to meet her family’s daily needs, she cannot avoid doing double jobs at one time. Besides farming, she also sells snacks. “If I do not farm, I cannot support my family’s needs. However, farming crops is not enough. So, I have also opened a small business selling snacks. It is to increase my income to meet my family’s daily needs,” she conveyed.

Planting Trees: Cultivating a Better Future for Her Family

In 2021, when she was offered a partnership program of tree planting funded by Astra Zeneca collaborated with Trees4Trees and One Tree Planted, Euis Maryati planted burflower-tree, avocado, mango, and orange. She planted those trees among her seasonal crops in her field. She admitted that she was lucky to get plants from the tree planting program. She hopes a lot from trees she planted for the future of her family.

She has been persevering in taking care of her trees. She cleans the grass every day so that all the plants grow well. She also applies her plants with organic fertilizer that she made herself from animal dung.

She expects, by taking good care of those trees, she will be able to harvest the good results. Moreover, now plants in her field are more varied. With more types of trees planted, she hopes she can sell more yields in the future, then she can fulfil her family’s needs much better than today.

“My life has been difficult for years. So I am hoping that it does not get any harder. If not myself, who else will support my family? I realize that I am both the mother and the head of the family. It is not easy. But for my children and their future, I will continue to work harder,” she stated.

She thanks to the tree planting program and she hopes it can bring more prosperity and a better future for women farmers and single parents like her.

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