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U.K. Firms Leading the Fight Against Deforestation

<p>The Forest Footprint Disclosure's second Annual Review singled out the Drax Group, J Sainsbury Plc, Marks and Spencer, and British Airways for their work proactively addressing the business risks of deforestation. British companies were leaders in six of 13 sectors</p>

British companies are ahead of the pack in addressing deforestation by identifying risks in their supply chains and supporting sustainable forestry practices and products.

The Forest Footprint Disclosure's (FFD) second Annual Review singled out the Drax Group, J Sainsbury Plc, Marks and Spencer, and British Airways for their work proactively addressing the business risks of deforestation. British companies were leaders in six of 13 sectors, with the remaining sector leaders coming from the U.S., Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and Malaysia (see below).

"One hundred and ninety governments have now recognized halting deforestation is a key world priority -- businesses should do the same," FFD Chairman Andrew Mitchell said in a statement last week. "Engaging with Forest Footprint Disclosure is one small step through which companies can make sure their supply chain choices are not destroying the natural capital on which their future wealth creation depends."

Investors representing more than $5 trillion in assets have endorsed forest footprint disclosure. According to the FFD, the business risks companies face from deforestation include supply chain stoppages, land shortages, climate change and lost business opportunities from REDD+ projects.

U.K. companies also led all regions in the sheer number responding to the disclosure request, with 52 percent of those surveyed responding to the questionnaire. This compares to a 39 percent response rate for Continental Europe, a 19 percent response rate for developing markets, 14 percent response rate for North America, and a 12 percent response rate for mature Australasia markets.

Overall, 285 companies were approached to participate in the project, of which 27 percent responded. This is an increase from the inaugural year when 16 percent of the 217 companies responded.

The sector leaders are:

Basic Materials: Stora Enso Oyj (Finland)
Biofuels: Greenenergy International (U.K.)
Clothing, accessories and footwear: Adidas AG (Germany) and Nike Inc. (U.S.)
Farming and Fishing: IOI Group (Malaysia)
Food and Drug Retailer: Carrefour (France) and J Sainsbury Plc (U.K.)
Food Products and Soft Drinks: Danisco (Denmark)
General Retailer: Marks and Spencer (U.K.)
Industrials and Autos: Dalhoff, Larsen and Horneman (Denmark) and Weyerhaeuser Company (U.S.)
Media: Reed Elsevier (U.K.)
Oil and Gas: Neste Oil (Finland)
Personal and Household: Kimberly-Clark (U.S.)
Travel and Leisure: British Airways (U.K.)
Utilities: Drax Group (U.K.)

 

Image CC licensed by Flickr user One Tree Hill Studios.

 

 

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