Central Group is aware and concerned about environmental issues that Thailand is facing, from PM2.5 pollution and waste crisis to unseasonal climate, the Group has initiated Central Tham project with an aim to operate its business while creating shared value with communities and society under its strategy on the environment, which has circular economy at its core.
Pichai Chirathivat, Executive Director of Central Group, said Central Group has done many environmental initiatives under the campaign Central Group Love the Earth, and we have joined forces with various parties to take action together, focusing on the following areas:
- Single-use plastic reduction
- Recycling and upcycling
- Waste segregation
- Food waste reduction
- Forest restoration
- Climate Change & Energy Management
In 2020, the Group has reduced the use of 236 million single-use plastic bags and donated 203,778 kilograms of food surplus to vulnerable groups, or 855,869 meals. During 2018-2020, it has restored 1,033 rai of forests in upstream areas.
From its environmental commitment, in March 2021, FeedUp@UN by the United Nations, in partnership with the Agricultural and Food Marketing Association for Asia and the Pacific (AFMA) has presented two ‘Climate Action Awards’ to Central Group as an organization that drives the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which is one of the main causes of climate change.
- Food Waste/ Food Surplus: The Group has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint by 862,109 KgCo2e in 2020 by sorting organic waste and donating food surplus from its businesses such as Family Mart, Tops, Centara, Central Restaurants Group (Mister Donut), and Central Plaza.
- Forest Restoration: The Group has worked with the Forest Landscape Restoration Fund (FLR349) with an aim to restore forests which make possible the production of diverse and safe foods for consumption and sustainable sources of income for farmers, as well as create better quality of life for communities. The total carbon sequestration under the project is 39,353,527 KgCo2e from 1,033 rai of forest.
Central Tham by Central Group is committed to creating a network of platforms which connects and benefits everyone from upstream, meaning the farmers, to downstream, meaning the consumers, resulting in a CSV model which can be adapted to solve issues in other communities nationwide. This is in line with Central Group’s mission to improve the environment effectively and sustainably.
