3. Greenpeace welcomes Unilever’s high-level engagement, but we question Unilever’s role with the so-called “Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto”. There is a danger that this group, dominated by Malaysian growers, does not drive genuine change in the palm oil industry and undermines the good work being done to implement “No Deforestation” commitments by some major palm oil producers.
4. Cargill has been instrumental to the success of the Soya Moratorium in Brazil, which has helped to dramatically reduce deforestation in the Amazon. But this success will prove temporary if the moratorium expires prematurely at the end of this year. We urge Cargill to take this opportunity to firmly state its support for extending the moratorium while permanent solutions to Amazon deforestation are agreed.
5. Developed nations governments who contribute with funds towards forest protection should take note of the agreement announced this week by Norway and Liberia, which, if implemented, will be an example for other nations to follow. For the first time, we could see a country adopt meaningful environmental and social standards as part of its legal framework to prevent deforestation and protect the rights of its citizens.
Governments in consumer markets also need to help cut the demand for products and commodities linked to deforestation. We must develop public policies and measures that ensure deforestation-free products for consumers and help level the playing field for companies that have committed to eliminate deforestation and human rights abuses from their supply chain. Let’s send a strong signal that deforestation doesn’t sell.
Forest protection needs to come in addition to drastic cuts in fossil fuel emissions. We cannot accept so-called ‘forest offsets’ that allow the fossil fuel industry to continue polluting. So when we all go back home in a couple of days, please stop procrastinating and take measures to protect forests and secure the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. All these declarations are sending the right signals, but there is no excuse for government not to take immediate action. Whether these leaders are in New York’s or back home, they can’t run away from their responsibility.
Perreault Magazine - 35 -
Prestine Forest Near Kebar Mountains, Indonesia