Singapore-based Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) recently released a statement pledging its commitment to keep off Indonesia's rainforests, seemingly due to pressures from all directions, writes Christel Lee from Print World Asia.
APP is the third-largest paper supplier in the world, and under the new Forest Conservation Policy, APP and its suppliers have promised that all of their Indonesian paper going forward will be 100% plantation-grown and that the entire supply chain will follow High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) principles.
They committed to not developing forested areas or peat fields and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And they pledged to work with local groups and other stakeholders to minimise the negative environmental and social ramifications of their business in Indonesia.
The company has come under fire from Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and other advocacy groups for the aftermath on the Republic's rainforests. This has led to some 10 big children publishers with other companies boycotting APP and its related partners for the last two years. The Forest Stewardship Council disassociated from APP in 2007, driven primarily by NGO campaigns and media coverage of APP's participation in deforestation, illegal logging and social conflict.
Inspite of the loud pledge, RAN appears to remain unconvinced till otherwise. Asia's Director for RAN reportedly responded to the pledge "APP will not be seen as a responsible company in the marketplace until its new commitments are implemented and it resolves the devastating rainforest and human rights crises it has caused in Indonesia."
APP has also pledged to source fibre globally, only from responsible forest managements. To further emphasise the seriousness of their commitment, APP's pledge included the promise to cease all purchases and agreements with any supplier who is found not to be in compliance with their commitment.
APP and its suppliers manage more than 2.5 million hectares of land in Indonesia and produce more than 15 million tonnes of pulp, paper, and packaging globally every year.
