UPS: Delivering Positive Environment Impacts

Search for Setu District on Google Earth, and the satellite throws up a lonely patch of green, squeezed between Bogor and the two major industrial centers of Jakarta and Bekasi.  

In recent years, the forested fringes of Setu have been giving way to new residential areas, shopping centers, buildings, and other infrastructure projects. The roads are increasingly clogged with cars, chugging to work in a cloud of petrol fumes.  

But solutions are on the way. Working in collaboration with Trees4Trees and the International Tree Foundation, the United Parcel Service (UPS) recently began a tree-planting program in Setu District that is bringing a breath of fresh air back to this important buffer zone. 

UPS contributions to the global sustainability movement 

On March 9, 2024, UPS set up camp at Hobbit Hills Eco Village for their second Indonesian tree planting project in the past year. According to Maya Sarininta, General Manager of UPS Indonesia, the latest initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental improvement.  

Maya Sarininta, General Manager of UPS Indonesia, leads the way in the company’s recent tree-planting activities

“This tree-planting event is part of our global sustainability program, which aims to plant 50 million trees worldwide by 2030,” said Maya during the event at Hobbit Hills. “Last year, we planted 1,200 mangroves in the coastal area of Jakarta. This year, we will continue the tree-planting program by planting various trees in terrestrial areas to enhance Jakarta’s buffer zone. We hope to plant more trees next year with the participation of our staff, working towards our global goal,” she added. 

The many benefits of an urban forest 

UPS’ program successfully planted 600 trees, comprising eight different species that will eventually grow into a new urban forest. These include local hardwood trees such as jabon, sengon, suren, and trembesi, which provide shade and can even help reduce temperatures in urban areas.  

Multi-purpose trees like durian, petai, and clove were also planted at the site. These trees support the environment by sucking up carbon dioxide, while also helping keep a lid on pollution and heat. Even better, their fruits can provide local communities with sustainable new livelihoods. 

Pandu Budi Wahono is Trees4Trees Program Manager. Speaking at the event, he noted that all partners involved in the project were excited about the long-term changes a bit of green could bring to the neighborhood. “We hope all the trees planted today on this farm will be properly nurtured and beneficial to the next generation, particularly in this area,” said Pandu. 

The GM of UPS Indonesia (left) receives a tree-planting certificate from Trees4Trees Program Manager (right)

It takes a village: Working together for a greener future 

The tree-planting event brought together staff from UPS and Hobbit Hills Eco Village, along with members of the local community as volunteers. “We involved UPS staff from all departments and invited families, including children, who were eager to join,” explained Mohammed Akbar, Chief of Community UPS Indonesia who was the tree-planting event coordinator. 

“I planted over ten trees today,” giggled Misha, one of several children who joined in. “It was exciting to know the correct ways to plant trees, and of course, to get my hands dirty without any complaints from my mom! I hope I can come back here to pick their fruits,” she added.  

UPS staff and their families learn how to plant trees using a sustainable, organic approach.

Misha’s Mom, Ira, is a member of UPS Indonesia staff. She believes kids should be engaged in environmental education from a young age. “I brought my two children here to teach them about nature, how trees give us life and essential elements like oxygen. It’s crucial for the next generation to learn and contribute to nature preservation,” said Ira. 

A UPS staff member planted trees with her children. Involving children in the tree-planting event as volunteers was part of the early education to introduce the importance of protecting nature and planting trees to the next generation

The latest tree planting program from UPS is a small part of their global sustainability goals. “UPS supports any environmental movement that makes a positive impact on the environment, especially efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming for a better future,” noted Farah, the UPS Co Chief of Community who was the assistance coordinator of the tree-planting event at the end of a long day’s planting on Hobbit Hill Eco Village. 

From Setu District to the rest of West Java, UPS Indonesia is working to positively impact communities and the environment as part of their global sustainability commitments. Through fruitful partnerships with Trees4Trees and the International Tree Foundation, UPS is determined to deliver on its green initiative.  

Regreening Jakarta’s Concrete Jungle through Urban Forestry

Regreening Jakarta’s Concrete Jungle
With support from Microsoft, and in collaboration with local farmers, schools, and communities, Trees4Trees will continue replanting urban areas around Jakarta.

In terms of urban area, Jakarta is the second biggest city in the world. And it’s still growing; areas on the outskirts are quickly swallowed by the urban sprawl, and the increasing number of industrial centers is already having an environmental impact. But in the satellite towns of Bekasi and Karawang, locals are finding ways to push back against the concrete tide: by planting more trees. 

Replanting urban forests offers all kinds of benefits. Trees combat pollution and lower temperatures. They provide habitats for animals and livelihoods for people. They filter drinking water, protect against flooding and prevent soil erosion. On a larger scale, urban forests are proven to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change by sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.  

Going Green in Greenland: Trees4Trees’ Replanting Program   

Recognizing the importance of urban forests, and with support from Microsoft and One Tree Planted, Trees4Trees kicked off a tree-planting initiative in the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) in Bekasi and the Karawang International Industrial Center (KIIC) in Karawang. The program, which began in November 2022, has already covered an area of 25 hectares.  

Regreening Jakarta’s Concrete Jungle
(Above) Since November 2022, Trees4Trees has planted 17,778 new trees around Bekasi and Karawang

“With this project, our goal is to plant 25,000 trees in GIIC and KIIC,” explains Anto Wartono, Planning Manager at Trees4Trees. “We hope these trees will soon grow into urban forests.”  

According to Anto, Trees4Trees has already planted 17,778 trees around GIIC and KIIC. Around 8,000 more trees are expected to be planted in the area over the next few weeks.  

The program actually went beyond planting. To raise public awareness about the importance of green spaces in urban areas, Trees4Trees engaged with local women farmers and ran an environmental campaign in local schools and communities.  

Rehabilitating the Riverbanks 

One of the main goals of the project is to restore areas around rivers. In recent years, the riverbanks have been eroding away due to land conversion. Trees4Trees focused on areas either side of the Cipamingkis and Cikalapa rivers, which flow through the GIIC area in Bekasi and the KIIC in Karawang, respectively.   

Regreening Jakarta’s Concrete Jungle
(Above) The Cipamingkis River in Bekasi, where Trees4Trees has been active recently

In Jakarta, temporary shelters are a common sight on the city’s riverbanks. During the rainy season, rising water levels can lead to floods and landslides. Adding trees to the banks of rivers is an effective defense against these dangers. 

“Many riverbanks have been converted into residential areas and semi-permanent buildings,” says Anto, who has experienced plenty of obstacles to urban planting. “Unlike in rural areas, planting trees in urban areas is more challenging – there are only a few spaces we can use as green areas.”    

Greening Industrial Areas, Supporting Farmers 

The process of urbanization and land conversion is also squeezing farmers off their land. As part of the urban forest project, Trees4Trees has been working with displaced farmers, helping them establish plantations in the newly reforested areas. By planting trees with high economic value – like durian, avocado, and caqui – we are helping devise new and sustainable ways to support local livelihoods. 

“We have planted 3,085 trees in two villages around KIIC, Puseurjaya and Margamulya village,” says Anto. “While in the GIIC buffer zone, we have planted 2,300 trees in Pasirtanjung village by involving local farmers,” he added.   

Preserving Biodiversity  

Trees4Trees’ work in KIIC also covered the Telaga Desa conservation area; an educational park that provides a precious green oasis in Karawang. As part of the project, more than 3,000 trees were planted here. Trees species chosen for this purpose included kemang (white mango), buni (currant), pulai (blackboard tree), mundu (yellow mangosteen), genitri (rudraksha), puspa (needlewood), and gandaria (mango plum).  

Regreening Jakarta’s Concrete Jungle
(Above) Microsoft’s Gavin Hodge (left) helps plant trees in the GIIC in Bekasi

“These trees will grow 20 meters high in 5 years,” explains Gavin Hodge, the DCD Project Manager at Microsoft. He joined the activity in GIIC and KIIC area as a volunteer tree planter, and believes this project will offer a range of benefits. “(It’s) going to protect our environment and improve the estate, while also improving the situation for the community. So it’s good that Microsoft can be a part of it.” 

With support from Microsoft, and in collaboration with local farmers, schools, and communities, Trees4Trees will continue replanting urban areas around Jakarta. Every sapling holds enormous potential. In time, they could change the landscape in one of the world’s biggest urban areas.   

To find out more about our ongoing replanting programs, and to see how you can help, visit devtrees4trees.portopaper.com.  

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Editor: Christopher Alexander