Greenpeace

Greenpeace just released fresh evidence that palm oil and pulp and paper giant Sinar Mas continues to destroy critical Paradise rainforest areas despite promises not to do so.  This builds on the case we made in our Caught Red Handed report, that companies like Nestle which buy large amounts of palm oil need to cut Sinar Mas out of their supply chains entirely.

After mountains of bad press, an unprecedented online outcry and actions from China to Switzerland, Nestle has responded to our campaign…sort of.

Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe released a public statement to explain what Nestle is doing (or not doing) to address its links to deforestation.  His statement has been a main feature on the Nestle homepage since the company’s shareholder meeting – which was invaded by orangutans and banner dropping activists.

His statement expresses concern about rainforests and peatlands, but does not make commitments that would go far enough to save them.

In addition to side-stepping adequate action, Brabeck tried to shift blame onto the biofuels industry, another large user of palm oil.  It is true that growing demand for palm oil derived biofuels for transportation is a real threat to rainforests.  This is not news to anyone, especially Greenpeace forest campaigners who have been working the issue for years.  But Brabeck’s half-hearted attempt to shift the blame does not erase his company’s contribution to the problem.

So, what has Nestle actually done to deal with its palm oil problem?  A few hours after our global campaign began, Nestle canceled direct contracts with Sinar Mas.  But Nestle’s direct contracts with Sinar Mas made up a very small amount of the company’s overall palm oil purchases.  Nestle continues to use palm oil and other products from Sinar Mas via third party suppliers such as agribusiness giant Cargill.  

Brabeck’s statement said that "Cargill has informed us that Sinar Mas needs to answer Greenpeace’s allegations by the end of April. They have indicated that they will delist Sinar Mas if they do not take corrective action by then."  There are only two days left in April.

If Cargill misses this deadline, or does not delist Sinar Mas, what will Nestle do?

Will the largest food and drink company hold its suppliers like Cargill accountable?  Will it follow-up words with real action?  Do Nestle executives actually think empty promises and half-measures will stop the public outcry over orangutan habitat destruction, deforestation and climate pollution?  Let's ask them!

Tweet a question to: @Nestle.

Fill out their customer service form.

And click on our take action page to deliver your message to Nestle.

Ask Nestlé what it will do if Cargill does not confirm by end of this week that it will drop Sinar Mas. Read fresh evidence of forest destruction and the fascinating first hand account from Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner Joko Arif here.

One of the biggest days of the year for corporate CEOs is the annual shareholder meeting.  It's their chance to trumpet successes, inspire investments in their company, and look forward to the year ahead.  For Nestle executives at their shareholder meeting today, things were anything but rosy as Greenpeace activists took the company to task for buying palm oil linked to the destruction of endangered orangutan habitat.

The day started with a surprise at the German headquarters of Nestle.  A giant screen atop a cargo truck appeared outside the building displaying real-time Twitter messages from people all over the world urging the company to protect Paradise Rainforests.  Greenpeace activists also redecorated the building itself, deploying a giant banner that covered four stories of offices. Oversized messages from countless rainforest supporters streamed across the digital screen all day long.

The day didn't end there. At the Nestle shareholder meeting in Switzerland, huge numbers of displaced orangutans showed up and conducted a mass "die-in" in front of crowds of onlookers.  It's safe to say that the free Nescafe coffee Nestle was passing out tasted a bit sour at the sight of orangutans being dragged across the concrete by police.

Participants seeking a distraction on their smartphones and computers were surprised when they logged onto a free wireless network only to find a webpage encouraging them to send a message to Nestle about rainforest protection and orangutans.  It's amazing what you can do with technology these days!  ;-)

Inside the venue, things got even more interesting.  As Nestle board chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Nestle CEO Paul Bulcke addressed the crowd, they had to deal with competition for the spotlight.  Undetected activists dropped two banners from the rafters in front of the stage reading: "Give the orangutans a break!"  The banners remained in plain view during keynote speeches -- a constant reminder to executives, investors and the press that Nestle has a growing problem with its links to rainforest destruction

Want to join the world-wide movement to protect Paradise?  Send a message to Nestle here in the U.S. and let them know its time for them to get serious about protecting rainforests.

We know the company is feeling the heat -- the company has made public statements in an attempt to blunt our campaign.  But they need to hear loud and clear that empty words and half measures won't keep rainforests standing.  Business as usual needs to end if we are to save orangutans and their rainforest homes...and we'll keep campaigning until that happens!

Just as illegal fires are used to slash and burn the Paradise Forests of southeast Asia to make way for palm oil and tree plantations, a suspected arson fire was used to burn the Greenpeace Climate Defender's Camp in Indonesia's Kampar Peninsula yesterday.





A gathering place for community members and international forest advocates alike, here is what the Climate Defenders Camp looked like before the suspected arson blaze:



Please support Greenpeace activists and community volunteers in Indonesia by standing up to violence and intimidation, and saying no to deforestation and peatland destruction. Take action and share this story with others. International attention is needed to protect the safety of forest advocates working on the front lines to save Paradise.

This incident shows that when growing demand for commodities like palm oil is not paired with corporate responsibility, greed, corruption and violence can flourish alongside rainforest destruction. This suspected act of arson also underscores the importance of companies like Nestle — the ultimate users of commodities that are driving Paradise forest destruction — cleaning up their supply chains and being vocal advocates for comprehensive political solutions. Even if you've sent a message before, take a minute to tell Nestle that we need rainforest and peatland protection now!

A press release from the Greenpeace Paradise Forest team in Indonesia is below. You can also read more from the Jakarta Post here.

PRESS RELEASE:
Greenpeace will continue fight for Kampar Protection despite camp burning down

Jakarta, 12 April 2010: Greenpeace today stated that the burning down of the Climate Defenders Camp in Riau’s Kampar Peninsula this weekend will not stop it from campaigning with the local community to stop the destruction of the area’s forests and carbon-rich peatlands. The Climate Defenders Camp was built in October 2009 with community help in the run up to the Copenhagen climate summit to highlight the cost of forest destruction to the climate, local communities and biodiversity.

“The fire which has partially destroyed the camp is a set back but we are now more committed than ever to helping the local community fight the destruction of the Kampar. We are redoubling our efforts to save Indonesia’s environment and make sure that the forests and peatlands of Kampar Peninsular Forests are fully protected,” said Bustar Maitar, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forest Campaign Team Leader.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning and flames were spotted by villagers across the Kampar river in Teluk Meranti. The fire severely damaged the main hall and prayer room but there were no injuries. Initial investigations by the local police indicate that the fire was started deliberately. Greenpeace has reported the case to Riau Province Police Headquarters, urging them to investigate the case seriously and rapidly,” added Bustar.

The Kampar peninsula is one of the largest peatland areas in the world and is under threat of destruction from pulp-and paper companies APRIL and APP. The camp has been visited by a host of international guests, like the US ambassador to Indonesia and French movie star Melanie Laurent. In November, using the camp as base, Greenpeace took action against the ongoing clearance of peatlands by APRIL, blocking the company’s excavators and exposing the company’’s illegal activities. Not long thereafter, Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan ordered APRIL to stop clearing practices in the area, while their permits where under investigation.

The people of Teluk Meranti have been very supportive of the Greenpeace campaign and have organised a thousand-signature petition to reject the expansion of APRIL into the forests in the Kampar. “We need Greenpeace to help us protect the forest against the company because the company has everything — money, power, and political influence" said Pak Yusuf, Teluk Meranti community leader.

The Greenpeace campaign will not stop until the Kampar is fully protected. “We welcome President Yudhoyono’s statement last week that asked NGO’s like Greenpeace to work together with the government to save Indonesia’s environment. As a first step, we urge the President to immediately implement a moratorium on deforestation and peatland destruction,” Maiter concluded.