Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is clearing areas of Sumatra’s tropical forest and tiger habitat it legally contracted to protect under debt restructuring agreements ultimately backed by the taxpayers of Germany, Japan, France, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Spain and Denmark. Pekanbaru, Sumatra; Gland, Switzerland: Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has been accused of a “double default” on international creditors, after an investigation revealed that the company has decimated tropical forests it promised to conserve under “legally binding” debt restructuring agreements. “APP Default on Environmental Covenant,” a new report from Sumatra NGO coalition Eyes on the Forest, shows that the company in 2004 agreed to protect high conservation value forest under debt restructuring agreements it made with taxpayer-backed financial institutions in nine countries. The debt restructuring agreements were negotiated after APP in 2001 defaulted on a massive $US13.9 billion of debt and was delisted by the New York and Singapore stock exchanges.
United Nations Creates Position Dedicated to Environment
Environmental organizations request quick action as negotiations resume at Rio+20 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Environmental organizations are hailing the U.N.’s recognition of the right to a healthy environment just as informal consultations on the agenda for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development resume. Last week, the Center for International Environmental Law and Earthjustice, worked closely with Maldives, Costa Rica and Switzerland, to obtain a resolution from the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) establishing an independent expert on the right to a “safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.” As the 19th session concluded last Friday, the resolution was adopted with more than 80 States co-sponsoring.
Ford Asia Pacific and Africa Plants Reduce Water Use by 25%
A recently announced goal calls for Ford to cut the amount of water used to make each vehicle 30 percent globally by 2015. That's compared with 2009. The Company’s plants in Asia Pacific and Africa share in this aggressive goal. For they have already reduced usage per vehicle by 25% from 2000 to 2011. “As... Continue Reading →
Small Hospital Design Competition Showcases Talented Teams
Kaiser Permanente recently recognized Aditazz and Mazzetti Nash Lipsey Burch for their exceptional talents. They collaborated with the renowned architecture firm Perkins+Will. The organization named them winners of its prestigious international design competition. This honor celebrates their innovative design capabilities. It also positions the winning teams to engage in a contract with Kaiser Permanente. They... Continue Reading →
Verizon Says Donate Your Old Cell Phones.
I always donate my old phones but a lot of people do not creating further toxins into our landfills and soon enough our water tables. Give spring cleaning a new meaning this year by recycling no-longer-used wireless devices and giving back to a good cause! By donating used goods to HopeLine from Verizon, spring cleaning... Continue Reading →
