The Navigator’s Journey: How GAR’s Sustainability Team is Redefining Efficiency with Asana AI

In the global effort toward a more sustainable future, data is the most valuable currency. But for the Sustainability and Communications (SustComms) team at Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), the challenge wasn't just collecting data—it was navigating the "sea of noise" that comes with complex global mandates like EUDR and RSPO.

As a leader in the palm oil industry, GAR manages operations spanning continents. To keep pace with the world’s increasing demand for transparency, they didn't just need a tool; they needed a digital transformation. GoPomelo partnered with GAR to provide the strategic expertise needed to guide this evolution, ensuring the technology implemented would lead to maximum global impact.

The TRUF Project: Centralizing Traceability

The Traceability and No Deforestation (TRND) Department is at the front lines of GAR’s mission, handling massive volumes of data requests and verification tasks. To manage this complexity, the department initiated the TRUF project in 2025.

Ayuk Yuliastuti, from the Traceability team, describes it as a centralized system built to accommodate requests from various units within SMART Tbk. "These requests are submitted through a standardized form that is integrated into an Asana workflow," Ayuk explains. This shift has enabled the team to master task allocation, prioritization, and even cost estimation within a single, comprehensive dashboard.

Bridging the Gap: The Power Automate Integration

One of the most innovative aspects of GAR’s setup is how it communicates with those outside of the platform. Recognizing the need to break down external barriers, the GoPomelo's integration specialists helped GAR to seamlessly connect Asana with Power Automate. This integration automated the delivery of data and attachments directly to stakeholders who aren't Asana users.

As Ayuk notes, "This integration significantly improves communication, especially with stakeholders who are not using Asana". It’s a perfect example of using technology to break down barriers, ensuring that critical sustainability data moves faster than a manual email ever could.

From Jakarta to Singapore: A Culture of Connectivity

Digital transformation isn't just about code; it's about people. For the SustComms team, Asana has served as the ultimate bridge between their Jakarta and Singapore offices.

Jesica Silvi, based in the Jakarta office, has felt the shift personally. "Asana has really helped our Jakarta and Singapore teams feel more connected, not just across offices but across departments too," she says. By providing a window into what different teams are working on, the coordination has become smoother and more transparent.

The End of the "Email Era"

Perhaps the most striking change is the move away from traditional communication. Guna, the Web & Digital Projects Manager in Jakarta, believes the new system has highlighted exactly why the old ways were failing.

"This change makes us realize how email is not efficient enough to facilitate our quick pace and intense collaboration... Plus, the AI rules and workflows are a game changer in terms of project management and automation." — Guna, Web & Digital Projects Manager

By moving conversations into tasks, the team can "focus on the work itself" rather than the administrative burden of managing an inbox.

Looking Ahead: The March 2026 Roadmap

As we look toward the rest of 2026, the partnership between GoPomelo and GAR continues to evolve. With a managed service framework governing their AI usage and a growing library of automated workflows, the SustComms team is no longer just "managing" sustainability—they are leading it.

At GoPomelo, we are proud to support these Asana Champions as they prove that digital clarity is the key to global impact.