Greenpeace are asking certification scheme PEFC to stop stalling and drop the under-fire pulp and paper giant APP, who were again exposed earlier this week for pushing orangutans and tigers towards extinction with their destructive logging practices.
PEFC said yesterday that they have asked an auditor to investigate APP, following the publication of a Greenpeace report earlier this week.
Andy Tait, senior advisor for Greenpeace, said: "PEFC standards look to be slipping lower than ever here. Their continued association with APP is hugely damaging for their brand.
"APP are trying to use PEFC to cover up their continued destruction of Indonesia's rainforests. And, amazingly, PEFC seem content to be treated like this.
"If PEFC are going to rescue what's left of their reputation, they must immediately suspend all dealings with APP. This investigation just looks like a stalling tactic, using an auditor who is not well placed to approach this objectively."
The Greenpeace report documents the areas on the Indonesian island of Sumatra where APP, part of the notorious Sinar Mas group, are destroying the rainforest.
Among the areas is the Bukit Tigapuluh Forest Landscape, which is one of the last remaining rainforest homes of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger and home to the only successful re-introduction program for the Sumatran orangutan.
Indonesia holds the world record for the fastest disappearing rainforest amongst all major forested nations on the planet. Since 1950, over 74 million hectares of Indonesia's forests have been destroyed, with additional areas being severely degraded.
Every year 1.8 billion tonnes of climate changing greenhouse gas emissions are released by the degradation and burning of its peatlands alone. Such destruction has made Indonesia the world's third largest greenhouse gas emitter, after the US and China.
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To see the report, called How Sinar Mas is Pulping the Planet, go to http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/pulpingtheplanet
Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255
