Regenerate: The ESG Strategy Shaping the Future of Hayleys Plantations

Sri Lanka’s plantation sector is being reshaped by climate change, biodiversity loss, evolving regulations and rising expectations for responsible business. In response, Hayleys Plantations has launched Regenerate  a unified ESG Roadmap that brings together, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC, Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC and Horana Plantations PLC under one measurable transformation agenda. The strategy is built around a clear ambition to reduce environmental impact, restore natural systems, strengthen plantation communities and future-proof market access. 

“Regenerate marks a significant evolution in our sustainability journey. Our ambition extends beyond reducing impact to restoring ecosystems, empowering communities and strengthening long-term business resilience. By bringing together the strengths of our three plantation companies, we are creating measurable value for people, nature and the economy.” Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director, Hayleys Plantations.

The scale of the transformation is significant. Hayleys Plantations contributes approximately 4.6% of Sri Lanka’s tea production and 3.9% of national rubber production, while supporting more than 15,000 employees and nearly 140,000 members of plantation communities. Its ESG platform is supported by 40 certifications, 14 management systems and more than 150 national and international awards, reflecting years of investment in responsible plantation management. Building on this scale, Regenerate brings the Sector’s sustainability initiatives under one integrated ESG framework focused on climate action, resource efficiency, biodiversity, community wellbeing and strong governance.

Across 55 estates and nearly 14,000 hectares, Hayleys Plantations is translating that ambition into defined 2030 targets, including a 42% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, 95% renewable-energy reliance, 90% regenerative agriculture coverage, 100% supplier ESG screening, zero conversion of natural forests, 75% wastewater recovery and 50% female representation in leadership and supervisory roles. Through Regenerate, ESG is being positioned as not as a reporting exercise, but rather as a core business strategy for productivity and long-term competitiveness.

Regenerative agriculture lies at the heart of the Roadmap. Hayleys Plantations aims to expand regenerative agricultural practices to 90% of cultivated land and introduce precision technologies across 75% of estates. GIS mapping, drones, digital field records and AI-supported decision-making are expected to improve crop management, water use, nutrient efficiency and climate resilience. At the same time, the Sector has committed to zero conversion of natural forests and the expansion of biodiversity restoration across estate landscapes

While the three plantation companies operate under one Roadmap, each contributes a distinct area of ESG leadership.

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC leads the Sector’s climate and nature agenda. As the first company in Sri Lanka and the first plantation company globally – to secure verified Science Based Targets initiative commitments, it has established a credible pathway towards emissions reduction and net-zero transition. TTE is now extending that leadership through the Science Based Targets Network pathway, broadening its focus from carbon to land, freshwater and biodiversity. Its approach is guided by a 15-pillar ESG framework spanning environmental, social and governance priorities. The company’s sustainability platform includes Rainforest Alliance certification across its estates, Eco Label certification, biodiversity corridors, analogue forestry, watershed restoration and digital ESG monitoring. Its next phase includes restoring 100 hectares of biodiversity by 2030, strengthening nature-related disclosures, adopting AI-powered ESG management systems and advancing externally assured reporting under SLFRS S1 and S2. This marks a clear transition from climate leadership towards nature-positive plantation management.

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC contributes global leadership in regenerative agriculture and community development. As the world’s first tea producer to achieve regenagri certification, KVPL demonstrates how commercial plantation agriculture can improve soil health, strengthen ecosystems and support long-term productivity. Its flagship “A Home for Every Plantation Worker” programme strengthens the social dimension of Regenerate. The initiative integrates housing, healthcare, education, nutrition, skills development, youth engagement and livelihood support, recognising that plantation resilience depends on the wellbeing and advancement of estate communities. Horana Plantations PLC is advancing responsible sourcing, traceability and global market readiness. As Sri Lanka’s first plantation company to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, HPL is strengthening supply-chain transparency and protecting access to increasingly regulated international markets. Its Eco Label leadership, environmental certifications and responsible land-management practices further support the Sector’s commitment to traceable and deforestation-free production. To strengthen plantation communities, access to quality healthcare and education remains a cornerstone of HPL’s social impact strategy. The Company appointed a resident MBBS doctor and upgraded the Primary Medical Care (PMC) unit, while the E-learning center expands educational access, digital literacy and future employability for estate youth.

Regenerate also places strong emphasis on people and governance. strengthen succession planning and further improve occupational health and safety. Community priorities include housing, water and sanitation, education, nutrition, healthcare, digital literacy and youth development. These ambitions are backed by a formal governance structure. Each company maintains Board-level ESG oversight, while a joint Plantation Sector ESG Steering Committee coordinates implementation and reviews progress against key targets. ESG data is monitored through the Hayleys Sustainability Information System, enabling climate, environmental, social and governance performance to be integrated into operational and strategic decision-making. The strength of Regenerate lies in its combined approach. It connects TTE’s science-based climate and nature leadership, KVPL’s regenerative agriculture and community model, and HPL’s responsible sourcing and market-readiness capabilities within one coherent transformation strategy.

For Hayleys Plantations sustainability is not a parallel business agenda it is integral to how the Sector will grow, compete and create value in the years ahead. Through Regenerate, the company is building a more resilient plantation sector where environmental stewardship, social progress and commercial success reinforce one another, securing long-term benefits for communities, customers, the economy and the natural environment.