Contributing to SDGs in China
In tandem with our growth in China and our belief in sharing the fruit of our success with the local communities, we are contributing to China’s implementation of four SDGs.
It matters to us that the communities around us, especially the underprivileged, lead healthy and meaningful lives.
We have been funding cataract operations for the needy since 2008. To date, 25,100 patients in 16 provinces have benefited, including 1,491 in 2017.
In 2015, we started to support those in need of artificial limbs. 420 artificial limb operations have been carried out, including 150 out of an initial target of 200 in 2017. The remaining 50 will be completed within the first quarter of 2018, in addition to the 2018 target.
Towards the well-being of the disadvantaged, we contributed over US$627,000 to orphanages, nursing homes, and to the care of the physically disabled in 2017.
In addition, about US$271,000 went towards poverty relief efforts.
To improve access to quality education, we have built 31 schools in the rural parts of China since 2007, of which two were completed in 2017 and one more will be completed in 2018. A total of 26,600 students, including the 2017 cohort of 14,531 students, have enrolled in Wilmar schools which range from kindergartens to junior high schools.
In 2017, over US$3.8 million worth of scholarships were awarded to primary schools as well as undergraduate programmes in local universities.
As of 2017, we operate over 270 plants in 46 locations, providing full-time employment to more than 25,000 locals and close to 13,000 contractors that provide services directly to our plants. In 2017, revenue from our operations in China was US$22.39 billion, which corresponds to approximately 0.17% of China’s GDP.
This has contributed to socio-economic development and other spinoffs such as infrastructural development and growth of supporting industries that supply or service our factories.
Locations of our plants in China | |
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China is a key signatory of the Paris Climate Agreement. We are doing our part to promote the sustainability agenda and provide sustainable palm oil to the Chinese consumers. We are actively engaging with the China Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and WWF China to heighten awareness and consumer interest in sustainable supply chains for palm oil.
Since the first RSPO certification attained in 2013 by our subsidiary, Shanghai Kerry Oils & Grains, we have to date 13 separate RSPO Supply Chain Certified Sites in Shanghai, Chiwan, Tianjin, Lianyungang, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Qinhuangdao.