Archived press release

Spotlight on corporates reveals need for global rules

16 August 2002

Some corporations continue to abuse the rights of people, destroy the livelihoods of communities, and pollute water and forest resources for future generations, according to a new report by Friends of the Earth International published today. The report graphically illustrates the need for governments to agree to introduce tighter rules for multinationals at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.

Launched as world leaders prepare for the Earth Summit in Johannesburg later this month [1], Clashes with Corporate Giants (PDF† - 2.5MB) [2] reveals how even some of the top international companies who claim to be developing sustainable policies, are still causing major damage to the planet. The report will be published on www.foei.org on Friday 16th August 2002.

Companies featured in the report include:

Mining giant Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is prospecting for gold in the Poboya protected forest, in Indonesia, despite opposition from local indigenous peoples [3]. The mining industry poses one of the greatest threats to Indonesia's threatened forests with mining concessions overlapping with many protected areas. Rio Tinto is aiming to avoid international regulation of the mining industry at the forthcoming Earth Summit by trying to persuade governments to establish voluntary partnerships with the industry. Rio Tinto Chairman Sir Robert Wilson is a member of the UK delegation.

South African-based chemical company Sasol

Sasol claims to "put as much into the community as we do into our petrol." Indeed they do, including high levels of benzene, vinyl chloride and methylene chloride. Sasol has been influential in s pushing for voluntary environmental agreements, rather than legally enforceable standards that the local community could use to hold them liable [4].

Friends of the Earth International is calling for world leaders meeting at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg to introduce global rules for business, to protect people and the environment. The call has so far met with little enthusiasm from Western governments, but has received the backing of developing countries as well as thousands of individuals from around the world who have sent messages of support [5].

Tony Juniper, Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International said:

"The evidence in this report highlights the real damage companies are doing to people and to our environment. Despite big companies' green public relations efforts, it illustrates how, for many companies, sustainable development means business as usual. Without global rules to check this behaviour, the environment is not going to figure on the corporate bottom line - and it would be nave to expect otherwise.

"This issue is about far more than protecting profits for shareholders - it is about the rights of people around the world to protect their health and their livelihoods, now and for future generations to come."

Notes

1. The UN World Summit on Sustainable Development takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26th August to 4th September 2002.
   
2. Clashes with Corporate Giants is published by Friends of the Earth International at www.foei.org. PDF copies of the report are available from Friends of the Earth's press office and will be available on-line from Thursday 15th August at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates/resource/media.html
3. More information from www.jatam.org and www.mpi.org
4. Hear a full interview with Bobby Peek, FOE South Africa, on the impacts of Sasol at www.radioearthsummit.org . See also www.groundwork.org.za
5. Individuals around the world are sending sounds and messages to www.radioearthsummit.org and these will be broadcast by Friends of the Earth at the Earth Summit. The messages will also be played as part of Hear Our Voice, a giant art installation with sound which will be launched in Johannesburg during the Summit.

†To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust