PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, launched Indonesia’s first ESG Advisory Playbook for the palm oil sector to support a structured and measurable green transition aligned with global standards during the BNI ESG & Sustainability Transition (BEST) Event 2025 in Jakarta (19/11).

The initiative responds to increasing international demands for sustainable palm oil practices, including the impact of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on Indonesia’s supply chain.

BNI Leadership Highlights Strategic Role of the New Playbook

The launch event was attended by BNI President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan, Deputy President Director Alexandra Askandar, Director of Risk Management David Pirzada, Director of Corporate Banking Agung Prabowo, and Director of Commercial Banking Muhammad Iqbal.

SEVP Bun Hendra from Credit Risk and SEVP Pancaran Effendi from Wholesale Solution & Value Chain also showed support for the sustainability transition agenda.

Deputy President Director Alexandra Askandar stated that the playbook is a strategic tool to help palm oil industry players strengthen sustainability efforts amid shifting global regulations.

She said, “This advisory playbook is a guide for business actors to start and improve their transition efforts according to the company’s strategy and capabilities, so that the transition process can be carried out more systematically and in a directed manner.”

Alexandra explained that the initiative continues the progress of the BEST Event 2024, which focused on the Indonesian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy (TKBI) for the energy sector.

This year’s expansion into the palm oil sector reflects its important contribution to the national economy.

She added, “As the first bank in Indonesia to have an advisory playbook, this confirms BNI’s commitment to continuously be a partner to debtors and support Indonesia’s transition process towards the NDC 2060 target or earlier.”

Development Process Involved Key Industry Stakeholders

The playbook was developed through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 30 October 2025 involving the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Ministry of Agriculture, GAPKI, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV).

Their input ensured the playbook remains practical, relevant, and responsive to real challenges faced by the palm oil sector.

During the launch event, Reina Haronima Tampubolon, Vice President of Green Energy Business Development at PTPN IV, and Agus Purnomo, Director of Sustainability and Strategic Stakeholder Engagement at Sinar Mas Agro Resources & Technology, shared their experience in implementing ESG transition roadmaps and the challenges faced in practice.

Togu Rudianto Saragih, Head of the Palm Oil Cultivation Group at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained policy directions to accelerate sustainability transition in the sector.

Mukti Sardjono, Executive Director of GAPKI, emphasized the importance of collaboration across industry players.

BNI Affirms Long-Term Support for Industry Transition

Alexandra reiterated that the launch of the playbook reflects BNI’s long-term commitment to accompany debtors as global industry conditions evolve.

She said, “We hope this advisory playbook can be a practical guide for business actors to design and strengthen transition efforts in line with the company’s strategy and capabilities, so that each business actor has access to relevant and solution-oriented assistance in facing the dynamics of sustainability transition.”

With the release of the ESG Advisory Playbook for the palm oil sector, BNI strengthens its role in driving sustainability transformation across Indonesia’s strategic industries and supports national efforts toward achieving the country’s climate transition targets.

PHOTO: BNI

This article was created with AI assistance.