From Rural to Urban: Expanding Green Commitment Across Jakarta’s Buffer Zone

From Rural to Urban

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees

As the largest metropolitan city and Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta’s hustle bustle comes with significant environmental challenges – from air pollution to declining of water and soil quality. However, the intense development pressures extend beyond the city itself, affecting surrounding buffer zones both in rural and urban areas, including Bogor to the south and Tangerang to the west. 

About 60 kilometers from the center of Jakarta City lies Mount Pancar in Sentul, Bogor – a mountainous landscape where many Jakartans escape their routines to break for a while, just to enjoy the nature and scenic view. Unfortunately, the area’s growing popularity has created a new pressure. Not only does the rapid development by the business and shopping centers occur, but every weekend, traffic becomes congested and the site is flooded with visitors, making it increasingly urgent to preserve the natural integrity.  

From Rural to Urban
Sumitomo Group together with Trees4Trees planted trees along the hiking trails of Cibingbing Waterfall in Bogor, West Java.

Strengthening Rural Erosion Prone and Sloping Area 

Cibingbing waterfall, part of Mount Pancar complex, attracts large numbers of visitors every weekend with its hiking trails and river activities. The waterfall is one of four waterfalls in the area, all known for their strong water discharge. Yet its steep slopes and terrain make the area highly susceptible to erosion and landslides. As human activities increase in the area, the risk of tree cover loss also rises, heightening the threat of landslide and flooding.  

To support this area, Sumitomo Electric Group Indonesia and Sumi Indo Kabel, together with Trees4Trees, planted 300 trees on vulnerable slopes near the waterfall. “The planting focuses on erosion control and water conservation,” said Khoirum Minan, Trees4Trees Project Manager. According to him, the trees are also expected to help protect river streams and maintain water reserves during the dry season, enhance oxygen supply, provide shade, improve the landscape, and offer non-timber benefits for local communities. 

This effort continues the companies’ environmental commitment, following last year’s planting of 2,000 trees in the foothills of Mount Salak, another rural area of Bogor. 

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees
(Above) Both fruit and hardwood trees were planted to offer benefits to the environment, tourism, and local communities. (Below) All day hard rain had not stopped the spirit of volunteers from planting trees.

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees

Planting Trees Together, Nurturing Well-Being in Nature with Hiking 

Taking place along the waterfall hiking trail, the tree planting involved employees from nine subsidiaries of Sumitomo Group, with over 100 participants joining as tree planting volunteers. “Albizia, cadamba, avocado, and nutmeg were selected as the area is well suited to these species, accelerating their chances of healthy growth and survival,” said Khoirum Minan. 

Eva, the Sumi Indo Kabel HR emphasized that representatives from most subsidiaries took part in the tree planting, as engaging employees is an integral part of their sustainability program. “By involving them to this activity, we hope to raise awareness and instill both knowledge and a spirit of environmental stewardship among our staff,” she said.  

From Rural to Urban
(Above) Employees of the Sumitomo group joined the tree planting event. (Below) Masashi Fukui, the Sumitomo’s global sustainability program person in charge, joined the tree planting event.

In line with Eva’s statement, Masashi Fukui, Executive Officer of Sumitomo Electric Indonesia and the person in charge for Sumitomo’s global sustainability program, emphasized the involvement of team members is crucial to achieving their sustainability goal. “At Sumitomo, we go beyond generating profits – we are committed to giving back to society and the environment. This tree-planting event is part of our global CSR program, engaging employees in caring for nature and supporting local communities,” he said. 

Alongside the tree-planting activity, the program also included a two kilometer-hiking trip to the waterfall, offering staff members wellness experience immerse in nature and a moment to reflect on how deeply human life depend on nature “This is not only about contributing to nature, but also about giving our volunteers the opportunity to reconnect with and enjoy nature itself,” said Eva. 

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees
Hiking to Cibingbing Waterfall after tree planting, offering volunteers an outdoor activity by immersing in nature.

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees

Expanding Green Commitment: Creating Urban Forest 

As carbon reduction is one of Sumitomo Group’s global sustainability goals, the tree-planting program goes beyond greening rural areas. After planting in rural Bogor, the initiative expanded to Tangerang City, where the Sumi Indo Kabel office is located.  

In this urban area, the program focuses on creating an urban forest by planting an additional 2,300 trees. Serving as the company responsibility to the surrounding environment, the initiative aims to increase green spaces to help address air pollution, urban heat, and declining water and soil quality – environmental pressures facing Tangerang as one of Jakarta’s rapidly developing buffer zones.  

Tree Planting in Curug Cibingbing_Trees4Trees
Engaging employees is an integral part of Sumitomo’s global sustainability program, achieving carbon reduction through rural and urban tree planting.

Mario Eko Cumentas, Chairperson of the Sumitomo Electric Group Indonesia Area Committee, emphasized that both rural and urban tree planting reflect the long-term company’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability. 

“Tree planting is essential for the future of our planet, and we are committed to continuing this effort,” he said. “We also encourage other communities and companies to take similar action, as caring for the environment is our shared responsibility. Trees are vital for all living beings – including us.” 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photos: Y. Dessenita & M. Elly Nezar

Scaling Impact Across Java: AOI and ITS from East to Central Java

Scaling Impact Across Java

Scaling Impact Across Java

Bayat District in Klaten Regency, Central Java, is part of the Bengawan Solo watershed and is largely dominated by agricultural activities. Corn, rice, and tobacco farming are among the main economic drivers for local communities. While these activities provide stable livelihoods, intensive and repetitive land use – combined with high inputs of chemical and organic fertilizers – has contributed to declining soil productivity and increased nutrient runoff. 

Over time, these practices have led to serious environmental challenges. Several areas in the district experience flooding and soil erosion, with estimated erosion rates reaching 50 – 150 tons per hectare per year on cultivated slopes. The decline of organic matter in the soil reduces fertility and water retention, resulting in drought, particularly during the dry season. 

“Our initial identification found that the soil in Bayat District lacks fertility, and several surrounding areas suffer from severe drought, worsened by limited access to water sources,” said Minan, Acting Project Manager at Trees4Trees. 

Initial Step: Planting 400 Teak Trees 

To support local communities in tackling these challenges, Alliance One Indonesia (AOI) and Indonesia Tri Sembilan (ITS), continued their green commitment as tobacco producers by planting 400 teak trees in collaboration with Trees4Trees. It marked the first step of a larger tree-planting initiative for the current planting season, with a total target of more than 4,800 trees. 

This effort builds on previous initiatives in East Java. During 2023 and 2024, AOI and ITS planted more than 11,000 trees across several villages near their operational areas in Bojonegoro Regency. This planting season, the initiative expanded to Bayat District in Klaten Regency – one of their tobacco supply areas – reflecting a long-term commitment to supporting both local communities and surrounding landscapes. 

“Teaks grow well in this location. We hope that in 15 years, the trees we planted will flourish into dense teak stands like those we see nearby,” Minan said, pointing to thriving teak-covered areas in the nearby.  

Scaling Impact Across Java
Under the blazing sun, AOI and ITS staff are full of energy in participating in tree-planting.

Involving Staff as Tree-Planting Volunteers 

As in previous years, the tree-planting event actively involved staff members from both AOI and ITS, reinforcing the companies’ view that sustainability is a shared responsibility. 

“Through this activity, we contribute to reducing the impacts of deforestation and environmental degradation,” said Agung Pribadi Kiswara, AOI Regional CSVS Sustainability Manager. “We hope to plant more trees so our Earth becomes greener, and we can help establish healthier lungs for the planet.” 

Wulan Pristya, AOI Talent Management Manager, who joined as a volunteer, shared that this was her first experience planting trees. “I am very excited, and I hope more people and institutions are willing to plant trees – not just through events like this, but continuously – so we can truly sustain our natural environment,” she said. She added that the trees planted during the event would provide long-term benefits for both the environment and local communities. 

Tree Planting event
All staff of AOI and ITS volunteer as tree-planters in a tree-planting event, planting 400 teak trees together in Wiro Village.

Expanding Green Impact in Klaten Regency: Three Years Collaboration 

The expansion of this green commitment – from Bojonegoro Regency in East Java to Bayat District in Klaten Regency, Central Java – also marks three years collaboration between AOI, ITS, and Trees4Trees in tree-planting initiatives. 

Under the theme “Grow the Change, Sustain the Future,” the tree planting now spans three villages in Bayat District. This brings their cumulative contribution to more than 15,800 trees planted since 2023. The initiative involves over 50 local farmers, providing them with environmental benefits as well as additional income opportunities from non-timber forest products. 

“In addition to teak, we also provide hardwood trees like albizia, cadamba, and gamal, as well as fruit trees like rudraksha, avocado, stinky beans, and jackfruits. These offer both ecological and economic benefits to local communities,” Minan explained.   

Marathun Chassanah, Central Java Unit Manager at Trees4Trees, confirmed that all seedlings had been successfully distributed. “The distribution process was completed in early January, and farmers are currently planting the trees they received,” she said. Monitoring will follow to ensure healthy growth. 

Farmer
(Above) One of the farmers in Bayat District started planting a tree in his field. (Below) The excited face of local farmers in Bayat District, Klaten Regency, Central Java receiving tree-seedlings.

Farmer

A Hope for the Future: Strengthening the Watershed and Securing Water Sources 

Beyond serving as a tobacco supply area for AOI and ITS, Klaten Regency plays a strategic role as part of the Bengawan Solo watershed. This makes tree planting in the area essential for restoring degraded land, protecting ecosystems, and strengthening the region’s water system. 

“This area is part of a critical watershed where tree planting is essential to rehabilitate degraded land and safeguard the ecosystem,” said Erwien Permana, Operational Manager Klaten at AOI. He emphasized that expanding tree planting along the watershed aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, particularly in protecting waterways and generating broader environmental and social benefits. 

Sharing a similar outlook, Minan also expresses hope that tree-planting will gradually improve the watershed health. “By restoring soil quality, we can help reduce erosion and drought risks, while improving water retention and availability for local communities in the long term,” he explained. 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Y. Dessenita, Henning Ilmi, Mar’atun Chassanah

Extending Reforestation in Bojonegoro: An Initiative for a Greener Future

It was 9 AM in the morning in Pandantoyo Village in Bojonegoro Regency, but it was already blazing hot. Some locals, however, said it was milder compared to the dry season. Even in 2019, the temperature reached 44 degree Celcius at midday. Incredibly hot days those were!

Although the temperature stood at 32 degrees Celsius that morning, according to AccuWeather, staff of Alliance One Indonesia and Indonesia Tri Sembilan gathered to volunteer in a tree-planting event, continuing their companies’ reforestation commitment.

“This is our second year planting trees together with Trees4Trees. This year, we’re continuing the effort by planting more trees in Pandantoyo and two other villages,” said Iba Swasono, the Alliance One Indonesia Operational Manager for Bojonegoro Regency. He also emphasized that this year, both companies have planted a total of 11,000 trees to improve the environment and support local communities.

Extending Reforestation
Despite the scorching heat, all participants including Iba Swasono (below) joined the tree-planting enthusiastically.

Extending Reforestation

Involving Staff and Local Communities in a Green Mission

Around 30 staff members from both companies joined the event, working together to plant 400 trees. In addition to involving staff as volunteers, local communities and farmers partnering with the companies were also engaged.

“I am very excited to see farmers and local communities involved in this initiative and this is the most exciting part of it,” said Leandro Silveira, President Director of Alliance One Indonesia.

Baroroh, Program Department Head of Indonesia Tri Sembilan, shared that the company engages all staff in tree-planting, not only at events but also around plantation sites and their homes. Despite the challenges of the tree-planting event in the heat, she found it rewarding. “It’s exciting to learn which trees thrive in Bojonegoro’s heat. More importantly, we’re helping reduce carbon emissions,” she said.

plant trees
Baroroh (above), who participated in the tree-planting event for the past two years, planted trees with her team. All participants were full of spirits joining the event (below).

Extending Reforestation

 

Planting Trees, Addressing Complex Environmental Issues

The environmental issues in Bojonegoro are complex. The regency is known for its rich petroleum reserves, which are believed to contribute to rising temperatures due to petroleum industry activities. Large-scale deforestation has also played a role in temperature spikes, driven by the rapid development of plantations, residential areas, and local farming activities.

“The temperature wasn’t as high as it is now. Since many trees have been cut down, the days have felt much hotter,” explained Yatemi, a local resident. She lives near an open plot of land that was once cultivated with sugarcane, but remained unproductive, without shading trees.

Ade, a local farmer, shared that in addition to raising livestock, many locals rely on farming as their primary livelihood. “We plant crops that thrive in hot temperatures, such as corn, sugarcane, and tobacco,” he said. Despite the significant profits, unfortunately they are not familiar with sustainable farming practices, leading to a significant tree cover decline. This has resulted in local communities facing not only land degradation and soaring temperatures but also drought and water scarcity.

“When the dry season comes, Pandantoyo village struggles with clean water access due to water sources drying up,” said Khoirum Minan, the Trees4Trees Unit Manager responsible for tree planting in Bojonegoro.

Planting Trees

A Sustainable Program for A Healthier Environment

With the sustainable tree-planting initiative of both companies, positive impacts on the environment and people in Bojonegoro are expected. According to Iba, the main goal is to restore critical areas and plants trees that yield benefits, positively affect the community and the environment. “Communities depend on the environment. So, if the environment is damaged, it will affect the surrounding communities,” said Iba.

Extending Reforestation
Leandro Silveira planted trees together with local communities

Supporting this initiative, Trees4Trees provided three species of trees to help achieve environmental and social impacts. “We provide indigofera, highly beneficial as livestock fodder. Additionally, we planted jackfruit trees for their economic value and suren trees for their pest-prevention benefits in community forestry. All of these are also resistant to hot temperatures,” said Pandu Budi Wahono, the Trees4Trees Director.

As part of both companies’ sustainability program, the initiative aims to plant 6,000 trees this year, with plans to continue planting annually to reach 53,000 trees in total.

“We know sustainability takes time. We cannot grow all the trees in just one year. The trees we are growing now are not to be cut or used in production but to improve the environment where our farmer community lives. That’s why we’ll plant each year and keep continuing in the coming years,” said Silveira.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Yulianisa Dessenita

Microsoft’s Green Initiative: Expanding Urban Forests in West Java

Microsoft’s Green Initiative: Expanding Urban Forests in West Java

In Cikarang, West Java, the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) is starting to be crisscrossed with corridors of green. Over the past two years, Trees4Trees has been working with Microsoft and One Tree Planted to regreen this urban area, by planting trees and engaging communities in reforestation efforts. These trees will be joined by new growth in the weeks ahead, as part of a new chapter in the ongoing story of regeneration in Cikarang.  

In November 2022, the tree-planting initiative kicked off in the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) in Bekasi and the Karawang International Industrial Center (KIIC) in Karawang. As two of Indonesia’s biggest industrial hubs, both locations have to contend with serious environmental issues, from air pollution and rising temperatures to soil degradation and subsidence.  

With more than 40,000 trees planted between 2022 and 2023, both have seen positive changes over time, with more improvements ready to take root in the months ahead. From December 2024 to February 2025, an additional 20,000 trees are being planted, further enhancing the urban environment with nature-based solutions. 

Trees
Trees planted during 2022 and 2023 are already thriving.

Restoring soil, reviving the ecosystem 

The primary goal of the latest tree-planting program is to conserve water and soil. Several species of shade trees will be planted over the next few months, including burflower (jabon), albizia, suren, and black-wood cassia (johar). “We intend to plant 14,500 trees in the GIIC, and more in community lands around the KIIC,” explains Pandu Budi Wahono, Director of Trees4Trees. 

“Industrial areas tend to feature marginal lands characterized by nutrient-deficient soils,” he says. “To address this issue, Trees4Trees focuses on planting fast-growing shade trees that are both well-suited to poor soil and able to improve it over time by recycling nutrients. Restoring soil health and reviving the ecosystem is our top priority,” he added. 

Pandu and Arina
Pandu Budi Wahono (left), Trees4Trees’ Director presents a tree-planting certificate to Arina Dafir (right), Microsoft’s Community Affairs Manager – Southeast Asia.

A new chapter in the story  

To kick off the next phase of Microsoft’s ongoing urban forestry initiative, a tree-planting event was held on November 22, 2024, at GIIC, Cikarang. The event involved Microsoft’s stakeholders and staff, with over 100 volunteers working together to plant 600 new trees. “We want to be part of the community, and we’ve brought together all the different stakeholders today to support this program,” said Arina Dafir, Microsoft’s Community Affairs Manager – Southeast Asia. 

One of these stakeholders is the Nusantara Academy, represented by Erick Hadi, the founder of the academy. He confirmed they are committed to promoting environmental awareness: “it’s great to see a lot of companies today sending representatives to do something good for the Earth,” he said at the event. Kentaro Miyashita, GA Admin Advisor of Jaya Obayashi, who also volunteered for this event, said “I hope events like this will continue in the future, encouraging more people to join, providing them with opportunities to think more about the global environment.” 

Planting event
(Above) Erick Hadi, founder of Nusantara Academy, one of Microsoft’s key stakeholders, is excited to join the event; and (below) Microsoft’s key stakeholders come together hand-in-hand for tree planting.

Microsoft’s Green Initiative

Impact and inspiration: Working together with local communities 

The event demonstrated Microsoft’s wider commitment to creating lasting impacts, both on the environment and in local communities living near the data center in GIIC. “In addition to tree planting,” explains Microsoft’s Community Engagement Lead for Indonesia, Dania Pratiwi, “Microsoft has also undertaken other initiatives including providing local communities with access to clean water, community empowerment funding for school infrastructure development, and digital skills improvement,” she said.  

Tree Planting event
Not only adults, but also children, under their parents’ supervision, volunteered to plant trees.

Microsoft’s Green Initiative

“It’s truly inspiring how Microsoft invites the community to work together for a better environment,” said Danastri Widoningtyas, Program Manager of Yayasan Rumah Energi, one of Microsoft’s community partners. Happy Syarifudin, from the GIIC Community Relations department, also noted that Microsoft’s initiative has already inspired some other companies to follow their example. “I believe in the coming year more companies will engage in similar initiatives,” he said. 

‘Responsible neighbors’: Microsoft Global Sustainability Goals 

Through an ongoing process of urban forest expansion, Microsoft aims to achieve lasting impacts that align with their global sustainability goals. To support this mission, Microsoft is continually looking for new ways to give back to nature and engender a more sustainable, better-connected society. 

“Supporting programs like this is an investment in the future,” explains Arina Dafir, Microsoft’s Community Manager – Southeast Asia, “because the trees that we plant today will continue to benefit nature and communities for many years to come. We are striving to be good, responsible neighbors to the communities we live with and the environment we operate in.” 

Highlighting the visible green impact of the tree-planting initiative on the industrial area, Happy Syarifudin, representing GIIC management, expressed his sincere gratitude to Microsoft and Trees4Trees for their collaboration. “This marks the third year of Microsoft’s urban forestry initiative. We hope this program will continue to expand, bringing greater benefits to both the environment and the local community,” he said. 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Editor: Chris Alexander. Photos: Yulianisa Dessenita & Kemas Duga Muis/Trees4Trees