Nestle Malaysia has achieved a significant sustainability milestone with the completion of Project RELeaf, planting three million trees across 1,650 hectares nationwide since 2021. This initiative, combined with the earlier Project RiLeaf in Sabah, has restored a total of four million trees, making it the largest private-sector reforestation effort in Malaysia. The project was made possible through close collaboration with key partners, including the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah Wildlife Department, and Malaysian Nature Society.
The project’s success is attributed to its community-driven approach, which has involved over 90 communities in seedling production and 120 communities in reforestation activities. This has not only created additional income opportunities but also fostered environmental awareness among local farming and Orang Asli communities. For example, the Komuniti Anak Pokok Kinabatangan (KAPOK) community has benefited from the collaboration, with members able to buy cars, fix their homes, and contribute to their community.
Nestle Malaysia’s chief executive officer, Juan Aranols, emphasized the company’s long-term vision, stating that “Project RELeaf embodies our conviction that businesses must play an active role in safeguarding the environment for future generations.” The company has announced a new commitment to plant another three million trees over the next five years, extending the initiative to Project RELeaf2030.
The project is guided by the principles of REforest, REstore, and REspect, and forms part of Nestle’s global Forest Positive strategy. The initiative focuses on restoring riparian zones and wildlife corridors, providing critical habitats for endangered species such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and the Malayan Tiger. The project prioritizes the planting of native tree species, which will help to stabilize soil, enhance biodiversity, and restore degraded ecosystems.
Over the next decade, the restored landscapes are projected to remove up to 700,000 tonnes of carbon, contributing meaningfully to Malaysia’s low-carbon ambitions. Looking ahead, RELeaf2030 will expand its scope by accelerating agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, integrating forest species and fruit trees into cocoa and coffee farms to strengthen crop resilience, diversify farmers’ incomes, and restore healthier ecosystems. Through sustained action and meaningful partnerships, Nestle Malaysia continues to demonstrate how businesses can create shared value, protecting nature, empowering communities, and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.