Wild Asia
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| Type | Social Enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry |
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| Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | Dr. Reza Azmi |
| Headquarters | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Area served | Malaysia | Thailand |
Key people | Dr. Reza Azmi (Founder) Co-founders: Dennis Yong, Rick Gregory, Su Mei Toh, John Howes. |
| Products | |
| Services | |
Number of employees | 42 (2025) |
| Website | www |
Wild Asia is a Malaysian-based social enterprise headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. Formally incorporated as a non-profit-structured company, the organization focuses on the conservation of natural areas, environmental consultancy, and supporting local communities that are heavily dependent on natural resources. The work of Wild Asia is notable as they were one of the early pioneers to champion sustainability standards to local business,[1][2][3] innovated models for advancing sustainable certification for independent producers,[4][5][6][7] and regenerative agriculture in tropical crops.[8][9][10] This has led to programmes that has been incorporated into global sustainable raw materials procurement or as part of improving the sourcing regions of raw materials (such as palm oil).[11][12][13]
History and origins
[edit]The seeds of Wild Asia were planted in 1998 when founder Dr. Reza Azmi established the Wild Borneo website. Originally designed as an eco-travelers' guide to highlight lesser-known destinations in Sabah, Borneo, the platform promoted sustainable tourism practices that directly supported indigenous community livelihoods.[2][14]
By 2003, the network grew substantially to feature contributions from dozens of environmental writers across the continent. This evolution prompted its formal expansion and rebranding as Wild Asia in 2003. Founded by a dedicated core team of ecologists, social scientists, and long-term residents—including Dr. Reza Azmi, Dennis Yong, Rick Gregory, Su Mei Toh, and John Howes—the mission became centered on developing local, ground-up solutions that integrate nature and community welfare directly into corporate sustainable strategies.[2][1][13][7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Cover: Eco-Warrior". The Edge Malaysia. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Wild Asia – mission for greener environment (Technical report). ProSPER.Net / United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies: Universiti Sains Malaysia. 2012. pp. 2–3.
- ↑ Journal of Oil Palm &The Environment 2012, 3:114-120 doi:10.5366/jope.2012.12 A Review of Smallholder Oil Palm Production: Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancing Sustainability - A Malaysian Perspective Claudine Nagiah and Reza Azmi. See paper.
- ↑ Costs and benefits of RSPO certification for independent smallholders. A science for policy paper for the RSPO. Petra Rietberg MSc, Wageningen University (2016). Paper.
- ↑ Team, Star (21 December 2020). "The Sustainable Palm Oil Revolution". The Star. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ Reiss-Woolever, Valentine J.; Wakhid, Wakhid; Ikhsan, Muhammad; Caliman, Jean-Pierre; Naim, Muhammad; Azmi, Elfina N.; Shufiyan, Sharyn; Howes, John; Azmi, Reza; Ying Lim, Ying; Abdul Jan, Siti Zulaikah; Barrock, Isaac; Azhar, Badrul; Drewer, Julia; Ward, Caroline (2025). "Private, non-profit, and plantation: Oil palm smallholders in management-assistance programs vary in socio-demographics, attitudes, and management practices". PLOS ONE. 20 (1) e0304837. Bibcode:2025PLoSO..2004837R. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0304837. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 11741574. PMID 39823441.
- 1 2 Revitalising the Palm Oil industry through independent smallholders. 2018. Report
- ↑ "Agriculture: Pushing oil palm smallholders to adopt regenerative agriculture". The Edge Malaysia. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Global C-Sink Registry". global-c-registry.org. Archived from the original on 13 January 2026. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ Nash, Fauzi (31 January 2023). "A Closer Look at the Unseen World – Exploring Wild Asia's Regenerative Farming Programme". Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "農園・政府・企業が一体となったパーム油の持続可能な調達を目指し、 マレーシアの農園で 「ランドスケープアプローチ」 の効果検証を開始". 日清食品グループ (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ L"Oreal Sustainability Sourcing Report (2015). Financial Report.
- 1 2 "CIMB partners Wild Asia to accelerate sustainable palm oil for smallholders". www.cimb.com. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Wild Asia announces Responsible Tourism Awards". Blue and Green Tomorrow. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2026.