PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) continues to prove its excellence in managing environmental and social aspects in business operations.
This excellence is reflected in the awarding of three Gold PROPERs for the Kamojang, Ulubelu and Lahendong Areas, as well as one Green PROPER for the Karaha Area.
For the Kamojang Area itself, this Gold PROPER award is the 13th time in a row given by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
This year the PROPER Gold award was delivered by the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Dr. K.H. Ma'ruf Amin, while Green PROPER was given by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Alue Dohong.
This award was given in Jakarta on Wednesday (20/12) and received directly by the Main Director of Pertamina NRE Subholding Dannif Danusaputro and the Main Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Julfi Hadi.
Dannif expressed his pride in PGE which has succeeded in proving its commitment to environmental and social management through this award.
"This success is the result of PGE's real efforts and seriousness in managing the environment and involving the community in carrying out its operations. "It is important to continue to get support from various parties so that it can be maintained and continuously improved in the future," he said.
On the same occasion, the President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Julfi Hadi also expressed his happiness and sense of pride towards the Company which succeeded in achieving this achievement.
"This award shows PGE's consistency in implementing sustainability aspects and is our encouragement to continue providing reliable and affordable clean energy for all Indonesian people," said Julfi.
The Gold PROPER award is the highest recognition for companies that exceed environmental management standards and consistently strive to improve community welfare in a sustainable manner.
The PROPER Gold achievement achieved by PGE Kamojang Area through the flagship program NENG ELIE (Nurturing The Environment Through Kamojang Green Living Ecosystem) has provided benefits to more than 13,200 communities around its operational area.
According to Julfi, this program is able to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly community empowerment ecosystem with a focus on a green lifestyle, sustainability and resilience to face challenges.
Through the NENG ELIE program, local communities can directly experience the positive benefits of adopting a sustainable lifestyle, including the use of electric motorbikes, the transformation of waste into online motorcycle taxi and internet services, as well as health services for toddlers, the elderly and children with special needs.
For PGE Ulubelu Area, this year's GOLD PROPER is the second time this area has received this. The achievement of the Ulubelu area is through the flagship program Eloc Berseri (Empowering Local Communities to Strengthening Ulubelu's Sustainable Forestry) which covers the social, educational and economic forestry sectors. This program has provided benefits to 3,225 communities including farmers, academics and the general public.
Julfi explained, "Through the Eloc Berseri program so far PGE has utilized 2.58 tons of geothermal CO2-eq, saved 1,325 liters of water per year, and revegetated 5 hectares of open land. This is proof of our seriousness in preserving the environment,"
The increase in the acquisition of PGE Gold PROPER for the Lahendong Area this year reflects the Company's continuous efforts to implement ESG principles in its business operations.
"We implemented the Mapalus Tumompaso Circular Economy System in the PGE Lahendong Area which has empowered people to get side jobs. "This program succeeded in increasing 60.1 percent of the income and adaptive capacity of the beneficiaries," said Julfi.
Mapalus Tumompaso itself has succeeded in educating more than 1,400 local residents through several derivative programs, namely Tourism Village Business (SADEWI), Joint Independent and Empowered Maria Business Group (KUBEMADA), Livestock Business with Renewable Energy, and Setor Jo Waste Bank.
PGE's success in obtaining PROPER is in line with PGE's achievement of the ESG Rating from the global rating agency Sustainalytics last November. PGE achieved a score of 8.4, where PGE's position is in the negligible risk category, which shows that the Company has succeeded in eliminating ESG risks completely.
"In the future, PGE is committed to continuing to accelerate business growth to become a geothermal company with an installed capacity of 1 GW and become a world geothermal leader. "And to achieve these aspirations, we will continue to improve operational standards for the geothermal business, which, as sustainable green energy, continues to provide value creation and has a positive impact on the country, society and the environment," said Julfi.
