To be part of 1t.org, responsible companies voluntarily make a pledge -pledge- that anticipates a positive impact on the protection, conservation and restoration of the world's forest mass during the next decade. Only companies committed to reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement are eligible. Currently, the initiative has signed up 90 companies, from 67 countries around the world, with a joint commitment to protect 11.9 billion trees.

In the case of AJE, this commitment is to protect 6 million hectares of primary forest around the world and includes the creation of sustainable value chains with indigenous communities that both enhance their culture and support the preservation of endangered species in order to protect the biodiversity that enriches forests.

Summary of the pledge

According to information from AJE, posted on the 1t.org/pledges website, "the company has a vision of sustainability at the center and core of its business: To lead the Natural Revolution by valuing the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the countries where it operates, and on the other, to empower its communities".

He says that the objective of this commitment encompasses the protection of primary forests in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, Thailand and Indonesia through rigorous sustainable management of natural resources and in alliance with local communities.

It emphasizes that the sustainable supply chain contributes to improving the lives of communities, enhances their culture and protects native species that are at risk. For example, the protection of the Red Macaw with the Wildlife Conservation Society in Guatemala, the Shihuahuaco tree with Arbio in Peru, and the Giant Tortoise with the Galapagos Conservation Society in Ecuador.

Another important aspect of the initiative is to add value to the natural resources of protected areas through the creation of sustainable markets for forest superfruits and other initiatives that protect wildlife. In this way, it also promotes fair trade that generates positive impacts on communities through agreements that benefit them socially, economically and environmentally, in the short and long term.

Preliminary results

The implementation of AJE's initiative has already resulted in 1,150,000 kilos of sustainably produced superfruits, a program in which 22 communities have been involved in an extension of 112,000 hectares of protected areas, figures that they hope to double by 2030.

AJE's -pledge- concludes by referring to the impact that its commitment will have on climate change: "Our protection initiatives contribute to addressing climate change, as we are working in the humid ecosystems of the peruvian and ecuadorian Amazon, one of the world's main carbon reserves, as well as in other large carbon reserves that exist in the tropical forests of Central America. Through their conservation, billions of tons of CO2 are no longer emitted into the atmosphere, thus combating the effects of global warming".

Additional details

Grupo AJE is conserving 4.7 million hectares from 2020 to the present. The new challenge is to increase conservation projects in Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand and Indonesia to protect 6 million hectares by 2030. To achieve this, the company relies on the support and monitoring of public conservation institutions in each country.

Translated by: A.M