SK Innovation Expands Mangrove Forest Restoration in Vietnam... Plans to Create 200 Hectares by 2030

Planted 1.14 Million Seedlings Since 2018; Restored an Area Six Times the Size of Seoul Forest
Promoting Job Creation and Ecosystem Conservation Through Local Residents' Participation

SK Innovation is expanding its mangrove forest restoration project in Vietnam. By 2030, it plans to create an additional area of mangrove forest four times the size of Seoul Forest, while creating jobs and conserving ecosystems through local residents' participation.

From left: Tran Ngoc Dong, head of the Mangrove Forest Management Board in Can Tho, Vietnam; Sanghong Eom, head of SK Innovation's CSR team; and Thi Hai Pham, head of Mangrove, pose for a commemorative photo after signing an MOU on restoring mangrove forests at the Can Tho Department of Agriculture and Environment in Vietnam on the 13th (local time). SK Innovation

SK Innovation said on the 14th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on mangrove forest restoration with the Can Tho City government and local social enterprise MangLub on the 13th.

MangLub is the first social enterprise established in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam, by SK Innovation in 2019 for its mangrove forest restoration project. It aims to promote social value through mangrove ecosystem conservation and education to raise environmental awareness.

Under the agreement, SK Innovation will secure sites for mangrove planting in Can Tho City and establish a cooperative system with the local community to manage and protect the forest. From this year through 2030, it plans to create 200 hectares of new mangrove forest in Vietnam. This is four times the size of Seoul Forest, which covers 50 hectares.

Local residents will take part directly in the project, which is also expected to help create jobs. Environmental education on the importance of mangrove ecosystems will be provided to residents and students. SK Innovation will also use its life-cycle assessment (LCA) capabilities to measure changes in biodiversity at planting sites and systematically manage the restoration's impact.

Mangroves are known to store about five times as much carbon as ordinary plants and provide habitats for a variety of species. They play an important role in carbon absorption and coastal ecosystem protection, and are drawing attention as a nature-based solution to climate change.

Since launching its mangrove forest restoration project in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam, in 2018, SK Innovation has expanded its activities to Myanmar, Malaysia and Fiji. To date, it has planted a total of 1.14 million seedlings, restoring an area of 294 hectares, about six times the size of Seoul Forest.

"In Vietnam, in addition to resource development and power generation, we are pursuing key renewable energy businesses such as solar and wind power," said Kim Woo-kyung, head of SK Innovation's PR Office. "Going beyond simple tree-planting activities, we will help local communities grow sustainably by expanding youth employment through local social enterprises, encouraging community participation, and providing education to raise environmental awareness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.