Friday, November 06, 2015

Paper Risk Case Study: Indonesia

Environmantal Paper Network released an interactive lists of public data on identified forest-products subsidiaries, linked to the two giant Asia Pulp & Paper and APRIL, the two powerful paper giants controlling over 80% of Indonesian pulp capacity. Both companies recently released new new forest policies, committing them to stop deforestation and to take responsibility for the huge impacts on the environment and on local communities.

While environmentally and socially risky paper sources exist throughout the globe, Indonesia is home to some of the world’s last intact rainforests and also some of the world’s largest and most criticized producers for deforestation and conflict over land rights. Conservation of the tropical rainforests of the islands of Indonesia is a global priority for our climate, endangered species habitat and for communities that have rights to them.
The lush rain forests on the Indonesian island of Sumatra are the only place in the world where elephants, tigers, rhinos and orangutans coexist. But these exceptional forests suffer from what may be the world’s fastest deforestation rate, threatening the survival of those species and causing massive carbon emissions. More than 6 million hectares of natural forest were lost from 2002-2012. Since 1985, Sumatra has lost more than half of its forest cover, leaving less than 13 million hectares. With only about 400 Sumatran tigers and fewer than 2,800 Sumatran elephants left in the wild, this last remaining habitat is critical to the survival of these species. The pulp and paper and palm oil industries account for the vast majority of deforestation in Sumatra.
Conscientious purchasers are showing how to avoid the risks there – and leverage potential improvements for Indonesia’s environment and communities. Below find links to profiles of key suppliers with a brief analysis and further resources.

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP)
Long considered one of the world’s most problematic producers, APP recently adopted an important new forest policy. This APP profile is a clearinghouse for information on background and progress and provides performance metrics that buyers can use to verify APP’s progress in implementing their policy and addressing other concerns.
More on APP
interactive lists of public data on identified forest-products subsidiaries, affiliates, 

Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL)
International and Indonesian civil society organizations indicate that APRIL continues to be a highly problematic source. Their concerns with APRIL’s disastrous impacts on the forest, biodiversity, climate, community and human rights are summarized in this APRIL profile, as well as a database of subsidiaries and affiliated companies for use by purchasers implementing paper sourcing environmental policies.
More on APRIL
interactive lists of public data on identified forest-products subsidiaries, affiliates,