AGS Thailand Wins AMCHAM Award for Mangrove Restoration

The honour was presented by the American Chamber of Commerce during the 2025 Corporate Impact Awards, attended by Thai and diplomatic dignitaries.

A hands-on approach to conservation

The Corporate Impact Awards are one of the most important recognitions of corporate social responsibility in Southeast Asia. Since their inception nearly 20 years ago, they have honoured multinational companies that go beyond simple charitable donations to integrate sustainability into the heart of their operations.

What made AGS Thailand’s initiative stand out was the degree of staff involvement. Rather than outsourcing the work to an external contract, employees participated in a two-hour training session on correct tree-planting techniques at the Bangpu Nature Education Centre. They then put their new skills into practice, planting the mangrove saplings themselves.

Thomas Coupat, Director of AGS Thailand, explained: “Our employees are agents of change. By involving them directly in the planting, we give them responsibility and the opportunity to see the concrete impact of their actions.”

Mangrove planting: A commitment to environment and community

Mangroves are more than just coastal trees; they are among the most important and productive ecosystems on the planet.

Despite covering only 0.1% of the Earth’s surface, they are responsible for 14% of all coastal carbon sequestration worldwide. For every 10 mangrove trees planted, it’s possible to capture more than three tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years.

Additionally, their complex roots filter pollutants from the water and create essential nurseries for fish and shellfish. Healthy mangrove forests also attract visitors for activities like bird watching and kayaking, generating income for local communities. The trees themselves provide other resources as well, including, animal fodder and wood for construction and fuel.

For Thailand, this work is critical. Without intervention, the country could lose 10-15% of its mangroves by 2100 due to climate change. Each restored hectare provides resilience against future climate shocks.

Ensuring success with long-term commitment

To ensure the planted trees have a genuine impact, AGS Thailand has partnered with a specialist to monitor their wellbeing and ensure their long-term survival, an aspect of reforestation that is often overlooked.

This approach follows the recommendations of the Thailand Mangrove Alliance, which emphasises the importance of a multi-year approach to mangrove restoration. It also aligns with Thai regulations, which require that planting programme participants care for mangroves for at least 10 years to ensure their efforts have lasting effect.

The AMCHAM award is a new milestone in AGS Thailand’s journey to environmental and social excellence. Following two consecutive years of support for Bangkok’s “One Million Trees” project, it demonstrates the Thailand team’s consistency and sincerity of their commitment to sustainability.

For Thomas Coupat, now that the team has obtained silver, the next goal is gold. “AMCHAM’s recognition confirms that we are on the right track, but it also pushes us to go further in the years to come.”