Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited has launched the “Green Sea We Share” initiative this year, aiming to engage and educate 13,840 Thai children and youth across 87 schools in 22 provinces about environmental conservation. This innovative project seeks to instill awareness among the younger generation about the critical importance of preserving natural resources and integrating sustainable practices into their daily lives. By fostering a network that connects schools, families, and communities, CP Foods aspires to build a collaborative effort to ensure a greener planet for future generations.
With a steadfast mission to “ensure food security,” CP Foods, a global leader in food production, recognizes the vital role natural resources play in its industry. This commitment to sustainability is evident in its environmental initiatives both in Thailand and internationally. These include increasing green spaces by planting trees, conserving and restoring watershed forests and mangroves, and creating forests within its farms and facilities. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to balancing food production with environmental preservation.
Believing in the transformative power of the new generation, the “Green Sea We Share” project aims to create shared value between CP Foods and society. It encourages participation from employees and local communities in environmental and social projects, establishing a network of young environmental stewards within schools and nearby communities. Senior CP Foods staff actively contribute to this effort by visiting these areas, sharing experiences, and providing environmental education. The program nurtures leadership among youth, empowering them to disseminate knowledge about conserving natural resources through four practical learning modules or “Bases.”
First Base: “Circular Earth Base” This module focuses on raising awareness about environmental conservation and understanding the impacts of a “circular Earth” that can lead to natural disasters. It educates participants on methods to prevent and mitigate these effects, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human activities and environmental health.
Second Base: “Transforming Waste Base” This module highlights the importance of waste segregation under the “Waste to Value” concept, guided by the 3Rs principle: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It includes training on comprehensive waste management and establishing “Waste Banks” within schools and communities, turning waste into valuable resources.
Third Base: “Seedlings to Great Forest Base” This module teaches conservation, restoration, and biodiversity in upland forests and mangroves. Children and youth participate in hands-on activities tied to CP Foods’ environmental projects, such as the CP Foods Ecosystem Conservation Project in the Sak River Basin, Lopburi Province, and the CP Foods Plant, Share, Protect Mangroves Project in Samut Sakhon, Rayong, and Trat Provinces.
Fourth Base: “Safety Base” This module provides safety education through CP Foods’ Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) officers. Topics include identifying risk points, ensuring clean drinking water, safe driving practices, and basic firefighting skills, equipping participants with essential knowledge for a secure and healthy environment.
One participating school is Bueng Ratchanon School in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. Principal Patharapong Sukket noted, “CP Foods has supported various projects, such as raising egg-laying chickens for students’ lunches, which allow children to engage in practical activities. The ‘Green Sea We Share’ project enables students to learn about the environment in an engaging way. The senior speakers provide excellent knowledge and teaching materials, making the subject familiar and interesting. Students were already segregating waste, but now they’re more enthusiastic and even encourage parents to do so at home.”
Pharkawat Disphan, a 6th-grade student from Bang Pidlai School in Laem Ngop District, Trat Province, expressed his enthusiasm: “I enjoyed the ‘Circular Earth Base’ because it taught me the importance of the environment. I learned that planting more trees can help reduce global warming and preserve nature. I’ve also encouraged my parents to plant permanent trees at home.”
Similarly, Punyachita Santaku, a 6th-grade student from Ban Sarapi School in Nong Bunmak District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, shared, “It was fun to learn through this program. I liked the ‘Seedlings to Great Forest Base’ because it highlighted the importance of conserving forests and how trees make our community greener. I plan to apply what I learned to care for natural resources both in school and my community.”
Jintara Saiview, Director of Ban Sarpak Pod School in Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, expressed her gratitude to CP Foods. “CP Foods recognizes the importance of children and youth by organizing activities that satisfy their curiosity, promote health, and plant seeds for the future. They support agricultural initiatives and ensure food security in schools. Through the ‘Green Sea We Share’ project, students gain essential skills and develop an environmental consciousness. This fosters awareness and appreciation for nature, building a strong network of parents and communities for ongoing collaboration.”
Since its inception, CP Foods has continuously expanded the “Green Sea We Share” program, reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. These initiatives empower young individuals to take active roles in preserving natural resources, ensuring a sustainable future for Thailand and beyond.
