Astra Encourages Young Generation to Preserve the Environment

Astra Encourages Young Generation to Preserve the Environment

JAKARTA: Most people who are compelled to do their activities at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic have adapted themselves to new habits. Among them, gardening and planting trees are one of the most popular choices, which resulted in a significant increase of plant sales across Indonesia.

If this new habit continues, it can be expected to contribute to the efforts of overcoming environmental problems around us.

The movement to address environmental issues is also carried out by Astra, which is part of the Indonesian ecosystem and is always committed to providing benefits for the society and the nation through sustainable social contribution programs, one of which is in the environmental sector. In line with this movement, Astra launched the Astra Environmental Festival 2020 with the theme "Eco-Youth Generation" today (28/11).

Held in conjunction with the National Tree Planting Day, through the festival Astra not only encouraged the public to take part in tree planting, but more importantly wished to inspire the young generation to start being engaged to nature conservation and important environmental issues that are potentially impactful to human lives.

"Through this activity, we would like to encourage the community, especially the young generation, to be more aware to nature conservation and other environmental issues by planting trees and reducing the use of plastics in their daily lives," said Astra's Chief of Corporate Affairs Riza Deliansyah.

The festival, which was held virtually, was also attended by Astra’s Director Gita Tiffani Boer, the Director of Conservation Forest Utilization of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry Nandang Prihadi, and Indonesia’s environment and energy conservation figure Ir. Tri Mumpuni.

Eco-Youth Generation
In line with the theme of the event, Astra invited the recipient of the 2019 Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards from the environment category Maya Stolastika, young activists in the environmental sector, such as the Co-Founder of Rebricks Novita Tan, and the Co-Founder of #SayaPilihBumi Diky Wahyudi Lubis as panelists in a discussion about the millennial generation, the efforts towards minimizing plastic waste, and ways to support conservation cause on the SATU Indonesia YouTube channel.

The panelists shared their contributions in preserving the environment through the programs that they are running.

Tree Planting
Astra has implemented several programs related to the environmental sector, including tree planting that has been conducted since 2008 in various regions in Indonesia, comprises a total of over 5 million trees, and the Conservation of Endangered Local Fruits Program (Pranaraksa) that has successfully conserved 208 types of rare and endemic fruit seeds in Indonesia.

The development of 116 Kampung Berseri Astra in 34 Provinces, some of which are utilizing the concepts of eco-village and climate village that are also in line with the programs run by the Indonesian government, and the development of 753 Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) in 34 provinces in Indonesia, one of which is a DSA in Kendal, Central Java that produces essential oils made from the extracts of a variety of plants known for their health benefits.

Reduce Plastic Movement
Astra also initiated Semangat Kurangi Plastik (Reduce Plastic Movement), which has been implemented both within the Astra Group companies and in the communities it assists. Through this program, Astra has successfully reduced 8.7 tonnes of plastic and managed over 49 tonnes of plastic within the Astra Group; as well as managed over 360 tonnes of plastic waste in the community through 70 waste banks it assists during 2020.

These programs were designed as solutions to Astra's concerns in maintaining the balance of the natural ecosystem while at the same time supporting the efforts of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and government programs in the environmental sector.

Astra's contribution in inspiring the younger generation to preserve Indonesia's environment is in line with Astra's mission to prosper with the nation.

For further information, please contact:
Boy Kelana Soebroto
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Ph.021-508-43-888

About Astra:

PT Astra International Tbk was established in 1957 in Jakarta as a general trading company under the name Astra International Inc. In 1990, for the purpose of the company’s initial public offering (IPO), the name of the company changed to PT Astra International Tbk, followed by listing its shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker code ASII.

Astra has developed its business by implementing a business model based on synergies and diversification within seven business segments, consisting of: 1) Automotive, 2) Financial Services, 3) Heavy Equipment, Mining, Construction & Energy, 4) Agribusiness, 5) Infrastructure and Logistics, 6) Information Technology and 7) Property.

Astra conducts business operations in all parts of Indonesia under the management of more than 235 subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates companies, and was supported by more than 194.359 employees, as of June 2020.

As one of the largest national business groups today, Astra has built a strong reputation through offering a range of quality products and services, taking into account the implementation of good corporate governance and environmental governance. Astra always aspires to be the pride of the nation that participates in efforts to improve the welfare of the Indonesian people.

Therefore, Astra's business activities strive to apply a balanced mix in the commercial aspects of business and non-business contributions through 9 foundations and a variety of sustainable social responsibility programmes Astra Untuk Indonesia Sehat, Astra Untuk Indonesia Cerdas, Astra Untuk Indonesia Hijau and Astra Untuk Indonesia Kreatif.

Astra initiated the Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards programme, which has entered a decade this year, and has given recognition awards to 305 young Indonesians, consisting of 59 national level recipients and 246 provincial level recipients in the fields of Health, Education, the Environment, Entrepreneurship and Technology, which are integrated with Astra’s wide range of community activities through 87 Kampung Berseri Astra and 645 Desa Sejahtera Astra initiated in 34 provinces throughout Indonesia.

For further information, please visit www.astra.co.id & www.satu-indonesia.com, and follow Astra through Instagram (@SATU_Indonesia), Youtube (SATU Indonesia), Facebook (Semangat Astra Terpadu) and Twitter (@SATU_Indonesia).