（Singapore, 30.12.2025)APRIL Group has marked ten years of collaboration between its independent Peatland Expert Working Group (IPEWG) and its in-house Peatland Science team, underscoring the growing role of scientific research in shaping responsible peatland management.
Established in 2015, IPEWG was designed to provide independent, science-based guidance to APRIL, a member of the RGE group founded by Sukanto Tanoto. Over the past decade, the collaboration has not only informed APRIL’s operational strategies but also contributed to the broader global understanding of tropical peatland ecosystems.
“The launch of IPEWG was a leap of faith for both industry and the scientific community,” said Ruth Nussbaum, noting that the group’s unique structure allowed independent scientists unprecedented access to operational data and field conditions. This level of transparency enabled rigorous scientific input into decision-making, while also advancing academic research.
At the operational level, IPEWG worked closely with APRIL’s internal science team, supported by advanced monitoring infrastructure. This included four Eddy Covariance Flux Towers positioned above forest canopies to measure greenhouse gas emissions, alongside long-term monitoring across hundreds of field sites. The resulting data has played a critical role in guiding canal management, water table control, and broader sustainability initiatives.
Beyond internal application, the collaboration has had global scientific impact. Joint research by APRIL and IPEWG scientists has been published in leading journals such as Nature Geoscience, Nature, and Global Change Biology, contributing to a deeper understanding of tropical peatland dynamics. Findings have also been shared at international conferences, extending their relevance to policymakers, researchers, and environmental stakeholders worldwide.
As IPEWG concludes its current phase, APRIL is transitioning its oversight model. Fahmuddin Agus, a long-standing IPEWG member from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has joined APRIL’s independent Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) in December 2025. His appointment is expected to strengthen the committee’s expertise in sustainable peatland management and greenhouse gas monitoring, while bringing a broader interdisciplinary perspective that spans environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
“The inclusion of Dr Fahmuddin Agus ensures that independent scientific challenge remains embedded within our governance framework,” said Craig Tribolet, APRIL’s Director of Sustainability and External Affairs. “It reflects our continued commitment to raising standards in peatland management under our SFMP 2.0 roadmap and APRIL2030 sustainability targets.”
Over the past decade, APRIL and IPEWG have built a model of trust-based collaboration between industry and science, refining operational practices while contributing to global knowledge. As climate pressures intensify, the company’s experience highlights how sustained, science-driven partnerships can play a pivotal role in delivering long-term sustainability outcomes in complex ecosystems such as tropical peatlands.
