Enviro group praises Bridgestone's zero deforestation policy

WASHINGTON — Mighty Earth, an environmental group devoted to protecting rain forests and other endangered landscapes, is praising Bridgestone Corp. for the zero deforestation portion of its recently announced Global Sustainability Procurement Policy.

"With Bridgestone's announcement, deforestation-free rubber production is becoming the standard market expectation," said Kristen Urquiza, campaign director for

Mighty Earth. "Companies that want to sell rubber should know that engaging in deforestation means losing access to international markets," Ms. Urquiza said. "We're seeing a total revolution in the tire and rubber industries happen before our eyes."

Bridgestone announced its Global Sustainable Procurement Policy Feb. 6. The policy, which applies to all of the tire maker's purchased materials and services, has the goal of identifying and evaluating qualified suppliers, promoting best practices and serving as a communication and improvement tool for the tire industry.

Bridgestone is the third global tire maker to announce a zero deforestation policy, after Group Michelin and Pirelli & C. S.p.A., according to Mighty Earth.

Demand for natural rubber has caused rapid deforestation in Southeast Asia, especially in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar, the organization said.

The tire industry accounts for at least 70 percent of global NR consumption, Might Earth said, with the top five producers brands — Bridgestone Corp. Group Michelin, Goodyear, Continental A.G. and Pirelli & C. S.p.A. – accounting for about half of the industry's consumption.

“There's a lot at stake,” Ms. Urquiza said. “By some estimates, deforestation for rubber between now and 2024 could release the same amount of carbon dioxide as the country of India does annually.

“The entire tire and rubber industries need to defuse this rubber carbon bomb," she continued.

"In order to make sure practices actually change on the ground, there needs to be industrywide action against deforestation. We look forward to working with relevant stakeholders to adapt the best of these systems to the rubber industry to immediately eliminate deforestation and land grabbing.”