Gucci commits to rainforest protection scheme

The Gucci group has joined the ranks of other major international companies who are pledging to change their paper policies,reports the Rainforest Action Network. Chris Carroll writes.

The Gucci Group, home to designer labels Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, YSL and Balenciaga, has vowed to reduce its paper use and pledged to purchase only recycled products, or those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, by December 2010.

This move sees Gucci join the likes of Tiffancy & Co., H&M Group, Staples and Unisource in working with the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) to ensure that all paper usage, from copy paper to shopping bags, does not come from endangered forests, such as those in Indonesia.

“The Gucci Group’s actions and commitments confirm its place as an industry leader,” said Lafcadio Cortesi, RAN’s Forest Campaign Director. “This move sets a bar for others in fashion and retail and demonstrates the foresight our society needs for our children and grandchildren to have standing rainforests and a stable climate.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that deforestation accounts for just under 20% of global carbon emissions, with approximately 8% of global carbon emissions result from Indonesia’s rapid deforestation.

Rainforest Action Network