Industryweek 4030 App

Green Groups Accuse Paper Giant of Breaking Logging Promise

March 28, 2013
"Our observations from the field showed that forest and peatland clearing with heavy machinery are still taking place in the concession of two APP suppliers," Ian Hilman of WWF Indonesia said.

JAKARTA — Indonesian green groups on Thursday accused the world's third-largest paper producer Asia Pulp & Paper of again breaking its promise to stop clearing natural forests and peatlands in the country.

APP in February announced that it had stopped using logs from Indonesia's natural forests after years of campaigning by Greenpeace that lost the firm major clients, including Mattel (IW 500/163) and Kraft (IW 500/25).

But a coalition of environmental groups in West Kalimantan province on Borneo and WWF Indonesia said two APP suppliers, Asia Tani Persada and Daya Tani Kalbar, were still clearing natural forests and building deep canals on peatlands.

"Our observations from the field showed that forest and peatland clearing with heavy machinery are still taking place in the concession of two APP suppliers," Ian Hilman of WWF Indonesia said.

"In the end we doubt (the firm's commitment). Is it a matter of merely showing a good face or do they really want to make a change?" Hilman said.

APP said Thursday the suppliers in question had "strongly indicated" they were not in breach of the company's policy, adding that the likely cause is overlapping land-use boundaries with other companies and it was now verifying data, maps and information on the ground.

"In the spirit of transparency, we will publish our findings and response to (the green groups) as soon as the verification process is completed," APP said in an emailed statement.

Anton Wijaya of Friends of Earth Indonesia (Walhi) West Kalimantan said: "We call on global buyers of pulp and paper to remain sceptical and await independent verification by independent NGOs...before making any new purchasing decisions."

The groups raised doubts over APP's commitment after the company failed to carry out similar initiatives in the past, including a 2003 agreement with WWF to protect high-conservation-value forests over an initial 12-year period.

WWF cancelled the agreement in 2004, saying the company had failed to make any progress on its commitment.

APP produces over 18 million tons of pulp, paper and related products annually, the firm said.

Deforestation accounts for 70% of carbon emissions in Indonesia, the world's third-biggest emitter, according to UN data.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Navigating Disruption: A Leader’s Guide to Strategy Under Uncertainty

Nov. 1, 2023
AI, sustainability, digital--industrials are facing disruptive forces that are redefining what it takes to win. What got your company where it is today won’t get you where you...

7 Crucial Steps to Improve Your OT Security

Oct. 23, 2023
Enhance OT security in manufacturing and production. Uncover the crucial steps to safeguard your operational technology. Protect against evolving threats and bridge the IT-OT ...

Why DataOps may be the key to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation

Nov. 3, 2023
Read the 2023 market survey conducted by IndustryWeek

Digital Production Tracking: How Connected Platforms with No-Code Deliver Value

June 20, 2023
Manual tracking lacks the real-time visibility manufacturers need to identify root causes and remain competitive. Digital, connected production tracking is crucial for your operations...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!