Bonn, Germany - (March 23, 2015) - Aida Greenbury of Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) joined business and environmental leaders to develop global forest restoration initiatives at the 2015 meeting of the Bonn Challenge in Germany on March 20, 2015.
Speaking at the meeting, Greenbury called for more sustainable, long-term, multi-stakeholder partnerships to be implemented in the fight against deforestation and climate change. On the topic of APP’s experiences in Indonesia, Greenbury said: “Land cannot be conserved or restored in isolation, the sustainability of the entire landscape must be taken into account and many stakeholders must be involved.”
The Bonn Challenge is the most comprehensive forest restoration initiative in the world. Its goal is to restore 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested lands by 2020 and at least 350 by 2030. Overseen by the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature as its Secretariat, this year’s Bonn Challenge 2.0 meeting is being attended by high-ranking representatives from over 30 countries and numerous international organisations, including the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.
Greenbury, APP’s managing director, sustainability, continued, “The essential ingredients for effective forest protection and restoration are: clear mechanisms for all interested parties to engage; a role for the private sector who oversee the concessions; and a policy agenda which puts forest protection and restoration at the heart of tackling climate change. The Bonn Challenge has a vital role to play in pulling these different themes together. That is why APP is participating in the event. We are making it clear that not only does our commitment to zero-deforestation in our supply chain continue but that forest protection and restoration is as important to us as the decision we made in 2013 to halt all natural forest clearances.”
APP is two years into implementing its own Forest Conservation Policy and recently published itsFCP Implementation Plan, following the conclusion of an evaluation of the FCP by Rainforest Alliance. The implementation plan includes priorities for 2015 onwards and relate to third party forest clearance, peatland best management practices as well as FPIC and social conflict resolution.
The additional areas covered in the Implementation Plan are:
- Wildfire prevention and management
- HCV Management and protection
- Workers’ rights and welfare
- Sustainable wood supply
- Landscape conservation initiative
- Internal engagement
About APP
Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is a trade name for a group of pulp and paper manufacturing companies in Indonesia and China. The APP Group of companies is one of the world’s largest vertically integrated pulp and paper companies, with an annual combined pulp, paper, and converting products capacity of over 18 million tons. APP-Indonesia and APP-China currently market their products in more than 120 countries across six continents. The majority of APP’s production facilities are Chain-of-Custody certified by SVLK, LEI and PEFC.
APP launched its Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 in June 2012 and its Forest Conservation Policy in February 2013, to further improve its environmental performance, biodiversity conservation, and protection of community rights. More information can be found at www.asiapulppaper.com
About Solaris Paper
Solaris Paper®, Inc. (SPI) is a U.S. based manufacturer of premium quality towel and tissue products for the North American Away-From-Home commercial marketplace. SPI’s products are made from virgin Rapidly Renewable Fiber, which produces a whiter, brighter, softer and greener product. SPI is dedicated to a sustainable business model. Our commitment applies to the full scope of our operations, starting with our primary strategic supply partner Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) through end-of product life scenarios. Solaris Paper’s family of products currently includes Nvi® Advanced Dispensing Systems, Nvi® LoCor®, Livi® VPG and Livi® Basic Towel and Tissue. To learn more about Solaris Paper and our full line of product offerings, please visit SolarisPaper.com.