Supporting Sustainable Rubber – join us for the campaign launch

21 June 2021 Driving innovation

In recognition of the essential role that natural rubber plays in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are launching a campaign to support local forest owners in Southeast Asia in their push for sustainability with a global event on 7 July.

The inclusive campaign “PEFC Is Here” celebrates the role that millions of smallholders play in the creation of more than 40,000 kinds of essential goods such as tyres, shoes, and the billions of syringes vital to delivering COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.

Since 1999, we have helped smallholders and the manufacturers they work with to ensure that the value they create does not come at a cost to the climate, biodiversity, watersheds, forests, and ultimately their own livelihoods. “PEFC Is Here” continues this commitment and will give everyone from consumers to manufacturers the tools and information they need to help in that effort.

For the past decade, PEFC has played a leading role supporting the entire natural rubber value chain. This includes rubber wood, of which 63 million tonnes is produced every year, making it the world’s most widely traded tropical hardwood. With this campaign, and the 7 July event, we continue to push for more sustainable natural rubber production.

In Vietnam and Thailand, we will travel to rubber plantations to hear first-hand the stories of smallholders and the challenges they face, and throughout the coming months, the campaign will feature a series of videos elevating their voices.

At the same time, we are providing a sustainability toolkit to manufacturers, particularly in the tyre industry, to help them spur certification downstream through the supply chain.

“Natural rubber touches our lives in so many ways, but it is often overlooked by those of us who use it,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.

“Our Supporting Sustainable Rubber campaign is all about shining a light on the product, and making the connection between sustainable natural rubber production, forest health, and smallholder livelihoods.”

“PEFC Is Here” is open to participation from everyone who cares about the health of forests around the world. During the 7 July launch, a panel of sustainability experts will highlight ways to join in the effort, whether from individuals, governments, CEOs, or farmers.

The webinar takes place 7 July at 15:00-16:00 ICT (10:00-11:00 CEST) and is free to attend.

Cover photo by Tran Lam Dong