from: mongabay.com
Nike is working with Greenpeace to ensure its products don't contribute to destruction of the Amazon rainforest, according to statements from the shoe giant and the environmental activist group.
The partnership comes after Greenpeace report accused Nike of using leather derived from cattle raised on illegal deforested Amazon land. The report, "Slaughtering the Amazon", also linked other shoemakers to rainforest destruction, including Adidas, Reebok and Timberland.
Nike's new policy will require full traceability and transparency from their suppliers by 2010.
Nike released the following statement outlining the policy:
NIKE, Inc. will not use leather in its products produced from cattle raised in the Amazon Biome as defined by Brazil's National Institute of Geography and Statistics (IGBE).Nike will require suppliers of Brazilian leather to certify, in writing, that they are supplying leather for Nike Inc products from cattle raised outside of the Amazon Biome.
Suppliers of Brazilian leather for Nike products have until July 1, 2010 to create an ongoing, traceable and transparent system to provide credible assurances that leather used for Nike products is from cattle raised outside of the Amazon Biome. On a quarterly basis Nike will review suppliers' progress in establishing an ongoing, traceable and transparent system.
If, after July 1, 2010, suppliers are unable to provide credible assurances that leather used for Nike products is from cattle raised outside of the Amazon Biome, Nike will consider increasing the exclusion area to include all of the Amazon Legal (as defined by IBGE).
Cattle ranching is the biggest driver of Amazon deforestation — in recent years about 80 percent of cleared land has ended up as pasture. Expanding cattle production in the Amazon has helped Brazil become the world's largest beef exporter.