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Published: 22 October 2012
Entertainment giant uses influence to help protect tropical forests
One of the world’s largest media producers has announced a change in its paper sourcing policy to help address tropical deforestation, especially in Indonesia. The policy is the culmination of two years of conversations between Disney executives and the Rainforest Action Network (RAN).
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The pulp and paper industry is one of the main drivers of the estimated 2.5 million acres of rainforest cut down per year in Indonesia. Credit:
RAN
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‘Rainforests are more valuable left standing than being pulped for paper,’ said Rebecca Tarbotton, the Executive Director of Rainforest Action Network, which worked with Disney on the policy. ‘Disney is adding its voice to the growing chorus of companies demonstrating that there’s no need to sacrifice endangered forests in Indonesia or elsewhere for the paper we use every day.’
Disney is the world’s biggest publisher of children’s books and magazines.
The new paper policy will be applied to Disney’s entire global operations and those of its supply chain. The commitment includes Disney’s media networks, theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and all product packaging, copy paper and book publishing as well as the 3700 licensees that use Disney characters. It will also influence the operations of 25,000 factories in more than 100 countries that produce Disney products, including 10,000 in China.
The commitment aims to ensure the company’s operations and those of its licensees minimise paper consumption and maximise the use of recycled content. The commitment also means Disney will not be sourcing from controversial paper giants Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings (APRIL). APP is reportedly the third largest paper company in the world.
RAN says Disney’s commitment will have a particularly important impact in Indonesia, the primary place where tropical rainforests are still being cut down for paper. The pulp and paper industry is one of the main drivers of the estimated 2.5 million acres of rainforest cut down per year in Indonesia.
Lafcadio Cortesi, the Asia Director at Rainforest Action Network, said: ‘Indonesia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world due, in part, to pulp and paper giants like Asia Pulp and Paper and APRIL. Disney’s commitment will reduce the demand for paper made at the expense of rainforests while creating incentives for improved forest management and green growth.’
Indonesia has some of the most biologically and culturally diverse forests in the world, home to iconic species like the Sumatran tiger, of which only 400 animals remain. Indonesia is ranked third in greenhouse gas emissions, just behind China and the United States, due to this rampant deforestation.
Rainforest Action Network began working with Disney in 2010 when lab results found that Disney children’s books were printed with rainforest fibre. RAN says it will continue to work with Disney to ensure effective implementation of its paper policy.
Source: RAN
