Updated on 26 November 2025
Bank of Singapore is proud to be a sponsor of WWF’s conservation project in Sumatra, Indonesia from 2023 to 2025 together with other funding partners. Known as the Thirty Hills Ecosystem Restoration Concession Initiative, the sponsorship contributes towards the goal of protecting over 38,000 hectares of rainforest in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem Restoration Concession, including 6,500 ha dedicated to reforestation.
Through this initiative, Bank of Singapore also aims to create awareness amongst its employees and clients on issues relating to conservation and climate action.
This sponsorship was not the only shared initiative between Bank of Singapore and WWF. In 2021, the Bank collaborated with WWF to pilot a newly developed sustainability e-learning module under the WWF ASFI Academy, which was extended to all Bank of Singapore employees globally before the program was rolled out to the broader private banking sector. As a continuation of this initiative, Bank of Singapore leveraged their contribution to educate its employees on forest conservation.
Sumatra's last stand: The quest to protect a vital ecosystem and its inhabitants
The Bukit Tigapuluh landscape in Indonesia – also known as “Thirty Hills” – represents a critical area for ecosystem preservation and restoration, with far-reaching benefits for climate change mitigation, the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, as well as the indigenous communities who call it home.
“As a forest concession company, PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh stands at the forefront of ecosystem restoration. Together with our valued donors, we are planting the seeds of transformation. Yet, to truly scale up our conservation impact, we recognize the pivotal role of the private sector. Their support is the cornerstone upon which we'll build a sustainable future for the environment and our communities, creating a legacy of restoration and biodiversity for generations to come.”
This invaluable asset requires collaborative effort and a united front from its diverse stakeholders to ensure its enduring ecological integrity. Together with the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and The Orangutan Project (TOP), WWF founded PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh (PT ABT), a concession company focusing on safeguarding the integrity of intact forests and breathing life back into deforested or degraded areas within the concession.
Climate change mitigation: The landscape comprises the largest remaining block of intact, lowland forest in central Sumatra, Indonesia, storing an estimated 11.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). Rainforests are known as carbon sinks and play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing carbon in their biomass and soil, thus reducing carbon emissions resulting from human activities.
Conservation of biodiversity and natural resources: While being home to some of the world’s most iconic and critically endangered species, including Sumatran tigers, orangutans, and elephants, the Indonesian Island of Sumatra is also a deforestation hotspot. Forest loss and degradation are pushing these magnificent species to the brink of extinction. Protecting and restoring this landscape safeguards not only the forest, but also countless ecosystem services, biodiversity, as well as the culture and livelihoods of the Indigenous peoples and local communities who call this place home.
Sustainable livelihoods for indigenous communities: The Talang Mamak and Orang Rimba are the two indigenous tribes living in the area that rely on forest resources for their livelihoods. Working alongside these communities to protect and restore this landscape ensures their access to these critical resources, while opening up conversations on sustainable business practices that can be implemented by the communities.
Through its Ecosystem Restoration Concession (ERC), PT ABT seeks to achieve the following goals:
Progress to date
The following progress was made possible with the support from Bank of Singapore and other donors.
Reforestation by natural regeneration, enrichment and replanting in priority areas
The implementation of reforestation activities has shown remarkable progress. As of today, 537.98 hectares of degraded forests have been restored through reforestation efforts. The replanting efforts – focused on areas and zones previously affected by fires will continue to take place with the support from various local partners and community members.
© PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh