"Adani has a long record of environmental destruction and are not a company you would let look after your pot plants, let alone safeguard the future of the Great Barrier Reef," said Greenpeace Head of Programme Ben Pearson. "This mine would result in the development of a vast new coal terminal at Abbot Point in the World Heritage Area which would have required dredging and dumping, and thousands of extra coal ships carving through the Reef every year. Approving it now would have been tantamount to an act of provocation, with UNESCO currently mulling the status of Australia's greatest natural icon."

The Carmichael coal mine proposed for Queensland’s Galilee Basin would be the biggest ever seen in Australia. It would include six open cut pits and five underground mines. Measuring 28,000 hectares - seven times the area of Sydney Harbour - the mine would clear bushland home to threatened species like the Black-Throated Finch (Southern).

Carmichael will also extract billions of litres of water every year from local rivers and aquifers – water that is precious to the arid area - and burning the coal would produce four times the fossil fuel emissions of New Zealand.

“The proponent, Indian coal conglomerate Adani, has a disturbing record of breaking environmental laws in its home country, illegal activity and destruction of natural places," said Pearson.

“In Australia it has been reported that Adani breached environmental approval guidelines under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act when building a stormwater return dam at Abbot Point."

“We only hope that Mr Hunt isn't just trying  to pull the wool over the eyes of UNESCO, with a view to approving the mine when the gaze of the world is elsewhere,” Mr Pearson said. "Australia deserves better than this."

Greenpeace’s report comes on the day that legislation to repeal carbon pricing laws is reintroduced into Federal Parliament and on the back of new polling showing that fewer than 1 in 10 Australians support moves to wind back the Renewable Energy Target.

Footage and stills of the Greenpeace’s campaign launch outside of Origin Energy Headquarters in Sydney today are available on request (see below).

KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT, ‘The Dirty Three – Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL’s Attack on Australia’s Renewable Energy Target’. At a critical time in the development of clean energy in Australia, the big three energy retailers which account for 77 per cent of small electricity customers, have become ‘The Dirty Three’ – expanding investments in coal and gas, undermining the Renewable Energy Target and threatening the future of renewable energy in Australia.

The Dirty Three have invested relatively little in renewable energy and continue to invest heavily in polluting coal and gas generation:

• Analysis of company data by Greenpeace’s Investigation Unit shows renewable energy made up only 0.5 per cent of Origin Energy's and 1.9 per cent of EnergyAustralia's electricity generation during 2012-13.
• AGL does better, with around 15 per cent of electricity generation, but in the past five years has increased its fossil fuel electricity generation capacity by around 50 per cent.
• Analysis of major investments in generating infrastructure over the last five years shows EnergyAustralia and Origin have dramatically expanded their fossil fuel electricity generation by close to 75 and 87 per cent respectively and AGL has increased its by just over 50 per cent.

The Dirty Three are undermining the Renewable Energy Target to protect their profits:

The Dirty Three have helped to spread misinformation about the Renewable Energy Target and perpetuate mistruths which are distorting the public debate, for example:

• the Renewable Energy Target is leading to higher electricity prices
• meeting the 2020 Renewable Energy Target is not possible
• wind and solar energy is unreliable. The report rebuts these claims.

Wind and solar projects have reportedly been frustrated by Origin and EnergyAustralia refusing to issue the power purchase agreements which renewable energy generators need to ensure they have customers for their power.

GREENPEACE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN. The report kicks off the launch of a high profile Greenpeace campaign focused on “The Dirty Three.” The campaign invites customers of Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL to petition their power company to support the Renewable Energy Target.

It includes a TV advertisement and grassroots campaigning in the electorates of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electorates.

Greenpeace Head of Program Ben Pearson said, “While Australians are hungry for clean solar and wind power, the top three energy retailers are working to hold back the nation’s transition to a renewable energy future by undermining one of our most successful bipartisan policies ever.

“Analysis shows Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL are expanding investment in coal and gas, exposing themselves to competition from renewable projects. These companies, some of the largest Australian polluters, are publicly attacking the target and actively frustrating wind and solar projects.

“The dramatic growth of renewables threatens the profits of the big energy companies and they’re responding by using their economic and political muscle to weaken the Renewable Energy Target.

“After years spent touting their green credentials, Australians are rightly shocked to find that these big energy companies are working to erode investment in renewable energy which will ultimately increase consumer power bills. Many customers have already contacted Greenpeace for advice on options for switching to alternate energy companies.

“Australia already lags behind other large economies like Germany and China in developing renewables capacity. Scrapping or reducing the Renewable Energy Target would be foolish. It would risk billions in renewable investments, increase power bills, forgo Australian jobs and increase carbon emissions,” Mr Pearson said.

Media Gallery – Footage and Stills of Launch:
www.greenpeacemedia.org
user: photos password: green

Office supplies chain Staples recently confirmed that it no longer stock APRIL products globally, after Greenpeace International identified links to the company in China. Antalis, a global paper trading giant has also confirmed that it will not resume business with APRIL until it implements a Forest Conservation Policy.

In Australia, Greenpeace is urging retailers trading in APRIL products to follow their lead. These retailers include Office Choice[i], Office Brands[ii], and Smart Supplies Australia[iii] who are currently trading APRIL’s ‘PaperOne’ copy paper. Major printing company BJ Ball, which claims to be 'the No.1 distributor of paper and packaging products in Australasia" also stocks APRIL paper.[iv]

Similarly, Greenpeace is calling on international customers of APRIL/RGE, such as the world’s largest paper company, International Paper, 3M and US retailer Costco to urgently suspend trading with APRIL/RGE.

“Australian companies currently trading in Indonesia's forest destruction need to follow the responsible path taken by global companies like Staples, and Australian companies such as Officeworks which have suspended contracts with RGE/APRIL until it ends the forest destruction”, said Turner. 

“APRIL has been caught out telling its customers it has support from governments and NGOs for a new policy to end rainforest clearance but at the exact same time its bulldozers are out trashing Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Forest Campaigner Reece Turner.

A Greenpeace flyover in late May reveals ongoing clearance of dense forest, and drainage of peatlands at a concession on Padang Island off Riau.  APRIL’s policy states that the company is only developing land that is not of “high conservation value” based on assessments that have been independently peer reviewed by the High Conservation Value Resource Network (HCVRN).  However, Greenpeace confirmed with the HCVRN that in fact they peer- reviewed assessments for just two out of an estimated 50 concessions that supply APRIL. HCVRN has requested that APRIL correct its misleading claim. 

Despite these findings, APRIL continues to claim, in documents leaked to Greenpeace, that it has “strong support” from WWF and that the Norwegian Government has endorsed its  “Sustainable Forest Management Policy”. Both WWF and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia have confirmed that these statements are incorrect and that they do not endorse the policy. 

“Apparently RGE/APRIL doesn’t consider the clearance of rainforest on areas of deep peat to be in conflict with its conservation commitments. That should tell its customers all they need to know about the credibility of their commitments. We expect these customers to take urgent action,” said Turner 

Greenpeace also documented evidence of extensive fires in another of its supplier pulpwood plantations, inside the PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) concession on Rupat Island in Riau Province. According to Greenpeace analysis released last month, fire hotspots are 3.5 times more frequent on deforested peat than on peat that has not been cleared by companies like APRIL. 

“RGE/APRIL has been quick to blame others, but clearing and draining peatlands are a significant reason for the fires. It’s like dousing your house in petrol and blaming a passing smoker when it all goes up in flames. The fires will continue until forests and peatland are fully protected,” said Turner

APRIL is one of a number of pulp companies in the RGE Group, whose palm oil subsidiary, Asian Agri, has been embroiled in Indonesia’s biggest tax evasion case and named in a joint UNEP/Interpol report for its links to environmental crimes. 

Despite recent major progress from other big plantation companies like Golden Agri Resources, Wilmar, and Asia Pulp & Paper, APRIL/RGE is refusing to immediately stop forest clearance. Greenpeace urges all customers of the group, and its financers, which are reported to include Santander and ABN Amro, to suspend business with RGE/APRIL until it implements credible commitments to end its role in deforestation. 

In August 2011, following an award-winning expose by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations’ Foreign Correspondent, ‘Paper/Tiger’ [v]which revealed APRIL’s destructive method of clearing large swathes of rainforest to make paper, Australian companies Officeworks[vi] and Fuji Xerox Australia[vii] cancelled contracts with the paper giant.   

Media contact:

In Australia: Reece Turner, Senior Forests Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, +61 408 754 910, reece.turner@greenpeace.org  

Tristan Tremschnig, Communications Coordinator Indonesia Forests, Greenpeace International, mob: +62 812 953 893 69 email:tristan.tremschnig@greenpeace.org 

Photographs available at the following links

Photos of ongoing clearance at PT. Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (PT RAPP) pulpwood concession on Pulau Pedang, in  Riau Province. PT RAPP is a subsidiary of APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&PSID=27MZ4BOQZSX&CT=Email&PN=1&IT=ThumbImageTemplate01_VForm&HBT=0

Photos of forest fire scars at PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) pulpwood concession in Rupat Island, in Riau Province. PT SRL is a supplier to APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=PSR&PSID=27MZ4BOQOQO

Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[i] Office Choice currently feature ‘PaperOne’ A4 copypaper from APRIL on their homepage: http://www.officechoice.com.au/

[ii] Office Brands supported an APRIL ‘Paper One’ promotion late last year. http://www.stationerynews.com.au/news/paper-one-revs-up-office-brands-dealers

[iii] Smart Supplies currently offer ‘Paper One’ on their online store: http://www.smartsupplies.com.au/paper-products/office-papers/paperone-office-papers/58208-a4-paper-one-100gsm-presentation-red-wrap-delivery-charges-may-apply-on-a4-white-paper-for-orders-outside-south-east-queensland-please-call-1300-138-067-to-confirm-costings-

[iv] See http://www.bjball.com.au/paper-range/digital-range/paper-one-all-purpose-blue-wrap/127

[v] http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2011/s3283804.htm

[vi] http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/officeworks-cuts-ties-with-papermaker-20110825-1jby6.html

[vii] Statement by Fuji Xerox Australia http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/333002/Fuji%20Xerox%20Australia%20statement%20on%20Sustainable%20Paper%20Sourcing%203%20August%202011%20FINAL.pdf

The leaked APRIL customer presentation can be viewed here: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/briefings/forests/2014/APRIL%20Presentation.%20April.2014.pdf

WHERE: Bella Fonte Events Centre, Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool, 8 York Street Casula.

WHEN: Monday 7 April. Protest at 6pm outside Events Centre, then from 6.30pm inside the public meeting locals concerned about plastic litter will question the NSW Premier.

PHOTO OP: Locals and campaigners will gather outside the event, some dressed in It Makes Cents! T-shirts and others in bottle suits with signs, gathering support from MPs and the public. There will be a giant oversized Coke Bottle and big mock 10c pieces.

• Within the month it will become clear if Victoria and NSW are committed to implementing a 10 cents cash for containers beverage recycling scheme, joining SA and the NT. The Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has publicly backed the move, calling on the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell to join him. A commitment from both VIC and NSW will make a national scheme likely.

• While the Victorian Premier clearly supports the scheme, he says it will work best if NSW signs on. The NSW Premier’s views are less apparent, although his Environment Minister Robyn Parker has not ruled it out. Various NSW government backbenchers publicly back the scheme (eg Coogee Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith).

• While 84 per cent of the public supports the scheme, the beverage industry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council continues to lobby against it.

Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance Mr Jeff Angel said, “It would make no sense if NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said no to this opportunity to deliver an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly 10c container deposit scheme to the 84 per cent of Australians who say they want it.

“The top items littered in Australia are drink cans and bottles but they are also the most easily recyclable. South Australian residents, where this scheme has run for 35 years, recycle 80 per cent of their containers - double the national average. A 10cent deposit/refund scheme is more effective and financially sustainable than any industry alternative.”

“The program will save local councils money, create an estimated 3000 jobs in the recycling industry and importantly reduce litter clogging our parks, rivers and oceans,” Mr Angel said.

Local Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle said, "As a long term resident and representative of the community of Liverpool I've seen firsthand the tons of toxic rubbish from drink containers fill up our local catchments that flow into the Georges River. The Liverpool Council has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a container deposit scheme and I'll be urging the State Government to do the right thing by the community and get on with bringing in this policy that is proven to work.”

For further information and to arrange interviews today and at the event:
Alison Orme Media Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0432 332 104
Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle 04 1273 6956

“The test for all action – or inaction – on climate change is:  will it see Australia contribute to the global effort to keep warming under two degrees above pre-industrial levels,” said Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Nic Clyde.

“The repeal of the Carbon Price at a time when climate change is already affecting Australia is an act of blind irrationality. The fact that we are seeing such sensible measures as the Renewable Energy Target, ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation also come under attack is simply extraordinary. It calls into serious question the Government’s willingness to meet their own 2020 reduction target.”
 
“Protecting the Renewable Energy Target should be a no-brainer. It’s an effective mechanism to cut pollution that also reduces consumers’ electricity prices,” said Clyde. “The target means billions of dollars in investment for Australia and thousands of new jobs.”

 “As the rest of the world moves to tackle climate change, Australia remains wedded to fossil fuels, particularly coal. As the world’s largest exporter of metallurgical coal and the world’s second largest thermal coal exporter by volume, we risk being left behind as the rest of the world moves to embrace clean energy.

 “Already, Australian coal mines are closing as the global coal market deteriorates. Australia must begin preparing for a future, and economy, after coal.

“A Carbon Price and clean energy policies such as the Renewable Energy Target will help drive the transition to a clean energy economy in Australia,” said Clyde.
 
Notes:
The Climate Change Authority was blunt in its assessment of a 5 per cent target: “a 5 per cent target for 2020 would not be a credible start by Australia towards achieving the below 2 degree goal.[1]

Minister Hunt lashed out at Greenpeace in an interview on the Radio National Breakfast program this morning, suggesting that the independent organisation has been more critical of the current government than they were of the previous government. On two occasions, the Minister claimed that while Greenpeace criticised his decision to approve Australia’s biggest coal mine, Carmichael mine, Greenpeace said nothing when Labor approved the nearby Alpha coal mine.

“A quick google search with ‘Greenpeace AND “Alpha Mine”’ shows Greenpeace was in fierce opposition to Alpha coal mine,” said Greenpeace Program Director Ben Pearson. “A total of 2,190 google results come up with those exact words,” said Pearson.

One page on the Greenpeace website says: “The Alpha development is an environmental disaster, threatening our Reef, our climate and wildlife in the mining area.”

A further blog about the Alpha Mine on the Greenpeace website is titled “Mega mine, mega catastrophe.”

 “We know Minister Hunt is au fait with Wikipedia, but he should try using Google,” said Pearson, “especially before he starts discrediting independent organisations supported by tens of thousands of Australians on national radio.”

“Rather than attacking environmental organisations, we think Minister Hunt’s time would be better used protecting the environment he is employed to protect,” said Pearson.

“Greenpeace is a wholly independent organisation that does not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties,” said Pearson. “We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals who make monthly donations to support our campaigns precisely so that we can maintain our independence from political parties and campaign to protect Australia’s precious places regardless of the politics of the day.”

“Our most urgent priority right now is saving the Great Barrier Reef from destructive coal developments like that just approved yesterday by Minister Hunt.”

“Carmichael Mine will be the biggest coal mine ever seen in Australia.

“This mega mine and its associated infrastructure will impact a total of 60 threatened species, require over 3 million tonnes of sea floor to be dredged from inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, and produce over 130 mega tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” Pearson said.

Video footage and photographs of the Carmichael mine site and Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact:

Elsa Evers
Greenpeace Media Advisor
Tel: 0438 204 041
Email: eevers@greenpeace.org.au

Detailed media backgrounder with links to documents here. 

“These previously secret documents show the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority repeatedly advised the Environment Department to reject the controversial dredging and dumping proposal because of the current health of the Reef and the long term and irreversible harm it would cause,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Louise Matthiesson. 

“Australians who love the Reef and are appalled by the approvals granted to dredge and dump in its pristine waters will be looking to Minister Hunt to explain how he can justify rejecting this expert advice, which included evidence that his water quality offset plan was ‘unachievable’.” 

The GBRMPA was preparing to refuse permits to dump in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park because it considered the consequences of dredging were unknown and viable alternatives existed to dredging on the proposed scale. It considered the water quality offset plan to be ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unachievable’.  GBRMPA also considered dumping at sea would be inconsistent with Australia’s obligations under international treaties on the prevention of marine pollution. 

In the Executive Summary of GBRMPA’s recommendation to the Environment Department on dredging the Authority noted, “The proposal to dredge and dispose of up to 1.6 million cubic metres of sediment per year … has the potential to cause long-term irreversible harm to areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park … in particular seagrass meadows and nearby coral reefs…” 

“The information… provided by the proponent does not adequately address the potential for further impacts to these recovering habitats. The dredge plume modelling provided by the proponent… has been found to be of limited value, deficient and unreliable.” 
Greenpeace  Australia Pacific is calling on the Environment Minister Greg Hunt to revoke the approvals and ban dumping of dredge spoil in Reef waters. 

“These new documents raise very serious concerns about the Federal Government’s stewardship of the Reef,” Ms Louise Matthiesson said. 

“It is clear that Minister Hunt and his Department were willing to put other interests ahead of the health of this World Heritage jewel and Minister Hunt must explain why. 

“The Minister’s attitude is like that of a smoker who has been told by his doctor to stop smoking then goes down to the convenience store to buy a pack of 25s,” Ms Matthiesson said.

The documents released cover up to August 2013. Although this is prior to Minister Hunt’s appointment, the details of the approval he signed off on in December 2013 were very similar to that put forward in July 2013.  Greenpeace is not aware of any significantly material changes to the project proposal during that time or any new scientific evidence which would have justified a major change in GBRMPA’s advice to the Department. 

To arrange interviews: Alison Orme Greenpeace Australia 0432 332 104
Spokesperson: Louise Matthiesson, QLD Campaigner, Greenpeace.  +61 406 041 428, lmatthie@greenpeace.org

The Maules Creek Community Council had been seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court.

Greenpeace is calling for the State Government to ensure that no further work is done of any kind on the site until the scheduled hearing in September.

Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner, Nic Clyde said:

“We welcome today’s announcement but Minister Goward must immediately stop all work at Maules Creek coal mine.

“Whitehaven Coal’s investors should also be heading for the exits as this dud investment suffers another critical blow.”

 “This latest delay in construction is yet another warning to investors. Whitehaven Coal has consistently failed to meet its own construction schedule at their Maules Creek mine, which is why they found themselves in the Land and Environment Court. Happily though, this is great news for the threatened bat and bird species which now have a place to hibernate or nest over the winter.

Contact:

Elsa Evers, Greenpeace Communications Officer – 0438 204 041

Nic Clyde, Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner – 0438 282 409

The icebreaker has been held in custody since the ‘Arctic 30’, which included Tasmanian Colin Russell and permanent Australian residents Alexandra Harris and Jon Beauchamp, were apprehended on September 19th, 2013. On June 6th, 2014, Russia's Investigative Committee informed Greenpeace International that it was annulling the arrest of the Arctic Sunrise. A Greenpeace crew, led by Captain Daniel Rizzotti, finally gained access to the Arctic Sunrise on June 27th, and has spent three weeks making the ship seaworthy, after finding considerable disorder on board.

“When the Captain and crew boarded the Arctic Sunrise they found it in a bad state, with no maintenance for ten months, and the ship’s navigation, communications and safety systems either removed or destroyed”, said Greenpeace International Arctic campaigner Faiza Oulahsen.

“The Arctic Sunrise is now headed for Amsterdam, where the ship will need to undergo extensive repairs, so that it can get back to protecting the Arctic from reckless oil companies like Shell and Gazprom”.

The Arctic Sunrise is expected to arrive in Amsterdam in early August, where Greenpeace activists and supporters, along with members of the Arctic 30, will welcome the ship, before it enters a shipyard for a thorough assessment of its condition and the necessary repairs. Russia’s Investigative Committee recently told Greenpeace that it had extended its investigation into the Arctic 30 case until September 24th 2014, despite the fact that the criminal case against the 30 has been dropped.

“The illegal boarding and arrest of the Arctic Sunrise and the ongoing investigation into the Arctic 30 protest was an attempt to intimidate and stifle debate about Arctic oil drilling, but it has only made us stronger”, said Oulahsen, who was one of the Arctic 30 members detained in Russia. "Millions of people spoke out against the illegal imprisonment of the Arctic 30. These same millions of people know the planet is warming and that Arctic ice is melting, and will continue to peacefully oppose the reckless pursuit of Arctic oil both in Russia and around the world”.

WHERE: Bella Fonte Events Centre, Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool, 8 York Street Casula.

WHEN: Monday 7 April. Protest at 6pm outside Events Centre, then from 6.30pm inside the public meeting locals concerned about plastic litter will question the NSW Premier.

PHOTO OP: Locals and campaigners will gather outside the event, some dressed in It Makes Cents! T-shirts and others in bottle suits with signs, gathering support from MPs and the public. There will be a giant oversized Coke Bottle and big mock 10c pieces.

• Within the month it will become clear if Victoria and NSW are committed to implementing a 10 cents cash for containers beverage recycling scheme, joining SA and the NT. The Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has publicly backed the move, calling on the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell to join him. A commitment from both VIC and NSW will make a national scheme likely.

• While the Victorian Premier clearly supports the scheme, he says it will work best if NSW signs on. The NSW Premier’s views are less apparent, although his Environment Minister Robyn Parker has not ruled it out. Various NSW government backbenchers publicly back the scheme (eg Coogee Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith).

• While 84 per cent of the public supports the scheme, the beverage industry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council continues to lobby against it.

Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance Mr Jeff Angel said, “It would make no sense if NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said no to this opportunity to deliver an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly 10c container deposit scheme to the 84 per cent of Australians who say they want it.

“The top items littered in Australia are drink cans and bottles but they are also the most easily recyclable. South Australian residents, where this scheme has run for 35 years, recycle 80 per cent of their containers - double the national average. A 10cent deposit/refund scheme is more effective and financially sustainable than any industry alternative.”

“The program will save local councils money, create an estimated 3000 jobs in the recycling industry and importantly reduce litter clogging our parks, rivers and oceans,” Mr Angel said.

Local Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle said, "As a long term resident and representative of the community of Liverpool I've seen firsthand the tons of toxic rubbish from drink containers fill up our local catchments that flow into the Georges River. The Liverpool Council has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a container deposit scheme and I'll be urging the State Government to do the right thing by the community and get on with bringing in this policy that is proven to work.”

For further information and to arrange interviews today and at the event:
Alison Orme Media Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0432 332 104
Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle 04 1273 6956

“Just this morning, a new group of tree-climbers entered a different part of the endangered forest to set up a sky-high camp,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Julie Macken.  

The new forest rescue team continues the stand-off with Whitehaven Coal after five Greenpeace activists were arrested yesterday and removed from a giant rope web.  

“This brings the total number of arrests in ongoing community protests against Whitehaven Coal’s mine to over 160,” said Julie Macken.  

A rally outside the ministerial offices of Pru Goward and Rob Stokes – Government Macquarie Tower in Sydney - is planned for Wednesday at midday, as community outrage over winter clearing at a time when native animals are hibernating to make way for a coal mine, boils over.

Greenpeace Senior Campaigner Nic Clyde spoke from his tree-sit, 10 metres off the ground in the Leard State Forest:

“Whitehaven Coal’s bulldozers are destroying the homes of animals while they sleep. Their coal mine at Maules Creek – the largest coal mine currently under construction in Australia – has been given permission to break the most basic of mining rules - stop clearing during the winter months - when many threatened species are hibernating.”

“The state government - Environment Minister, Rob Stokes and Planning Minister Pru Goward - must intervene.”

Some of the hibernating species in the Leard State Forest include:

• The feathertail glider, sugar glider and squirrel glider (all hibernating most of winter)
• Barking Owl (nesting and listed as ‘vulnerable’ under state law) and Barn Owl (nesting)
• Corben's long-eared bat (‘vulnerable’ under federal and state law), the yellow-bellied sheath-tale bat (‘vulnerable’ under state law) and white-striped free-tailed bat and little pied bat (‘vulnerable’ under state law). All the bats are hibernating for most of winter.
• Coral snake and spiny tailed gecko (both hibernating)

For interviews with Greenpeace Senior Campaigner from the forest tree-tops:

Contact, Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Julie Macken 0400 925 217

Images and video:

http://www.greenpeacemedia.org

Username: photos    Password: green

Via FTP (you will need an FTP client such as Filezilla): 

Host: greenpeacemedia.org

Username: media

Password: greenpeace

Folder: Maules Creek

Additional images from the Leard Alliance can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leardstateforest/

SPEAKERS: NSW MPs Penny Sharpe (Labor) and Mehreen Faruqui (Greens), local farmers, Greenpeace, GetUp!, Lock the Gate, Nature Conservation Council and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. The Wilderness Society are supporting the rally.

WHEN: Speakers from Noon, Wednesday 4 June 2014.

WHERE: Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney.

DEMAND: NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes and Planning Minister Pru Goward should halt clearing and launch an investigation into the impact of Whitehaven Coal’s winter clearance on endangered species.

PHOTO OP: Many 100s of protesters, big banners, placards, speakers, petition handover.

Greenpeace Head of Program Ben Pearson said, “A broad alliance of farmers, religious leaders, politicians and environment groups are calling for a halt to clearing of this forest, with its precious cargo of hibernating threatened species.

“Greenpeace is committed to staying put, in the forest, to frustrate this mega mine and its disastrous legacy for climate change, water and biodiversity.”

Background
• Whitehaven Coal’s mine at Maules Creek is the largest coal mine under construction in Australia. The company has been given permission by the NSW government to break a basic mining rule: no tree clearing during the winter months when many threatened species are hibernating.
• Bulldozing of the threatened forest is underway and Greenpeace activists have been suspended in forest tree tops for over 100 hours.
• Meanwhile, mining company Idemitsu Australia Resources has admitted it contracted two companies to employ spies to infiltrate the Maules Creek camp.

Contact: Greenpeace Media Alison Orme 0432 332 104/ Jessa Latona 0488 208 465. Greenpeace photos of Leard Forest and tree top action available on request.

Greenpeace’s report comes on the day that legislation to repeal carbon pricing laws is reintroduced into Federal Parliament and on the back of new polling showing that fewer than 1 in 10 Australians support moves to wind back the Renewable Energy Target.

Footage and stills of the Greenpeace’s campaign launch outside of Origin Energy Headquarters in Sydney today are available on request (see below).

KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT, ‘The Dirty Three – Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL’s Attack on Australia’s Renewable Energy Target’. At a critical time in the development of clean energy in Australia, the big three energy retailers which account for 77 per cent of small electricity customers, have become ‘The Dirty Three’ – expanding investments in coal and gas, undermining the Renewable Energy Target and threatening the future of renewable energy in Australia.

The Dirty Three have invested relatively little in renewable energy and continue to invest heavily in polluting coal and gas generation:

• Analysis of company data by Greenpeace’s Investigation Unit shows renewable energy made up only 0.5 per cent of Origin Energy's and 1.9 per cent of EnergyAustralia's electricity generation during 2012-13.
• AGL does better, with around 15 per cent of electricity generation, but in the past five years has increased its fossil fuel electricity generation capacity by around 50 per cent.
• Analysis of major investments in generating infrastructure over the last five years shows EnergyAustralia and Origin have dramatically expanded their fossil fuel electricity generation by close to 75 and 87 per cent respectively and AGL has increased its by just over 50 per cent.

The Dirty Three are undermining the Renewable Energy Target to protect their profits:

The Dirty Three have helped to spread misinformation about the Renewable Energy Target and perpetuate mistruths which are distorting the public debate, for example:

• the Renewable Energy Target is leading to higher electricity prices
• meeting the 2020 Renewable Energy Target is not possible
• wind and solar energy is unreliable. The report rebuts these claims.

Wind and solar projects have reportedly been frustrated by Origin and EnergyAustralia refusing to issue the power purchase agreements which renewable energy generators need to ensure they have customers for their power.

GREENPEACE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN. The report kicks off the launch of a high profile Greenpeace campaign focused on “The Dirty Three.” The campaign invites customers of Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL to petition their power company to support the Renewable Energy Target.

It includes a TV advertisement and grassroots campaigning in the electorates of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electorates.

Greenpeace Head of Program Ben Pearson said, “While Australians are hungry for clean solar and wind power, the top three energy retailers are working to hold back the nation’s transition to a renewable energy future by undermining one of our most successful bipartisan policies ever.

“Analysis shows Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL are expanding investment in coal and gas, exposing themselves to competition from renewable projects. These companies, some of the largest Australian polluters, are publicly attacking the target and actively frustrating wind and solar projects.

“The dramatic growth of renewables threatens the profits of the big energy companies and they’re responding by using their economic and political muscle to weaken the Renewable Energy Target.

“After years spent touting their green credentials, Australians are rightly shocked to find that these big energy companies are working to erode investment in renewable energy which will ultimately increase consumer power bills. Many customers have already contacted Greenpeace for advice on options for switching to alternate energy companies.

“Australia already lags behind other large economies like Germany and China in developing renewables capacity. Scrapping or reducing the Renewable Energy Target would be foolish. It would risk billions in renewable investments, increase power bills, forgo Australian jobs and increase carbon emissions,” Mr Pearson said.

Media Gallery – Footage and Stills of Launch:
www.greenpeacemedia.org
user: photos password: green

Office supplies chain Staples recently confirmed that it no longer stock APRIL products globally, after Greenpeace International identified links to the company in China. Antalis, a global paper trading giant has also confirmed that it will not resume business with APRIL until it implements a Forest Conservation Policy.

In Australia, Greenpeace is urging retailers trading in APRIL products to follow their lead. These retailers include Office Choice[i], Office Brands[ii], and Smart Supplies Australia[iii] who are currently trading APRIL’s ‘PaperOne’ copy paper. Major printing company BJ Ball, which claims to be 'the No.1 distributor of paper and packaging products in Australasia" also stocks APRIL paper.[iv]

Similarly, Greenpeace is calling on international customers of APRIL/RGE, such as the world’s largest paper company, International Paper, 3M and US retailer Costco to urgently suspend trading with APRIL/RGE.

“Australian companies currently trading in Indonesia's forest destruction need to follow the responsible path taken by global companies like Staples, and Australian companies such as Officeworks which have suspended contracts with RGE/APRIL until it ends the forest destruction”, said Turner. 

“APRIL has been caught out telling its customers it has support from governments and NGOs for a new policy to end rainforest clearance but at the exact same time its bulldozers are out trashing Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Forest Campaigner Reece Turner.

A Greenpeace flyover in late May reveals ongoing clearance of dense forest, and drainage of peatlands at a concession on Padang Island off Riau.  APRIL’s policy states that the company is only developing land that is not of “high conservation value” based on assessments that have been independently peer reviewed by the High Conservation Value Resource Network (HCVRN).  However, Greenpeace confirmed with the HCVRN that in fact they peer- reviewed assessments for just two out of an estimated 50 concessions that supply APRIL. HCVRN has requested that APRIL correct its misleading claim. 

Despite these findings, APRIL continues to claim, in documents leaked to Greenpeace, that it has “strong support” from WWF and that the Norwegian Government has endorsed its  “Sustainable Forest Management Policy”. Both WWF and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia have confirmed that these statements are incorrect and that they do not endorse the policy. 

“Apparently RGE/APRIL doesn’t consider the clearance of rainforest on areas of deep peat to be in conflict with its conservation commitments. That should tell its customers all they need to know about the credibility of their commitments. We expect these customers to take urgent action,” said Turner 

Greenpeace also documented evidence of extensive fires in another of its supplier pulpwood plantations, inside the PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) concession on Rupat Island in Riau Province. According to Greenpeace analysis released last month, fire hotspots are 3.5 times more frequent on deforested peat than on peat that has not been cleared by companies like APRIL. 

“RGE/APRIL has been quick to blame others, but clearing and draining peatlands are a significant reason for the fires. It’s like dousing your house in petrol and blaming a passing smoker when it all goes up in flames. The fires will continue until forests and peatland are fully protected,” said Turner

APRIL is one of a number of pulp companies in the RGE Group, whose palm oil subsidiary, Asian Agri, has been embroiled in Indonesia’s biggest tax evasion case and named in a joint UNEP/Interpol report for its links to environmental crimes. 

Despite recent major progress from other big plantation companies like Golden Agri Resources, Wilmar, and Asia Pulp & Paper, APRIL/RGE is refusing to immediately stop forest clearance. Greenpeace urges all customers of the group, and its financers, which are reported to include Santander and ABN Amro, to suspend business with RGE/APRIL until it implements credible commitments to end its role in deforestation. 

In August 2011, following an award-winning expose by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations’ Foreign Correspondent, ‘Paper/Tiger’ [v]which revealed APRIL’s destructive method of clearing large swathes of rainforest to make paper, Australian companies Officeworks[vi] and Fuji Xerox Australia[vii] cancelled contracts with the paper giant.   

Media contact:

In Australia: Reece Turner, Senior Forests Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, +61 408 754 910, reece.turner@greenpeace.org  

Tristan Tremschnig, Communications Coordinator Indonesia Forests, Greenpeace International, mob: +62 812 953 893 69 email:tristan.tremschnig@greenpeace.org 

Photographs available at the following links

Photos of ongoing clearance at PT. Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (PT RAPP) pulpwood concession on Pulau Pedang, in  Riau Province. PT RAPP is a subsidiary of APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&PSID=27MZ4BOQZSX&CT=Email&PN=1&IT=ThumbImageTemplate01_VForm&HBT=0

Photos of forest fire scars at PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) pulpwood concession in Rupat Island, in Riau Province. PT SRL is a supplier to APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=PSR&PSID=27MZ4BOQOQO

Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[i] Office Choice currently feature ‘PaperOne’ A4 copypaper from APRIL on their homepage: http://www.officechoice.com.au/

[ii] Office Brands supported an APRIL ‘Paper One’ promotion late last year. http://www.stationerynews.com.au/news/paper-one-revs-up-office-brands-dealers

[iii] Smart Supplies currently offer ‘Paper One’ on their online store: http://www.smartsupplies.com.au/paper-products/office-papers/paperone-office-papers/58208-a4-paper-one-100gsm-presentation-red-wrap-delivery-charges-may-apply-on-a4-white-paper-for-orders-outside-south-east-queensland-please-call-1300-138-067-to-confirm-costings-

[iv] See http://www.bjball.com.au/paper-range/digital-range/paper-one-all-purpose-blue-wrap/127

[v] http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2011/s3283804.htm

[vi] http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/officeworks-cuts-ties-with-papermaker-20110825-1jby6.html

[vii] Statement by Fuji Xerox Australia http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/333002/Fuji%20Xerox%20Australia%20statement%20on%20Sustainable%20Paper%20Sourcing%203%20August%202011%20FINAL.pdf

The leaked APRIL customer presentation can be viewed here: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/briefings/forests/2014/APRIL%20Presentation.%20April.2014.pdf

Minister Hunt lashed out at Greenpeace in an interview on the Radio National Breakfast program this morning, suggesting that the independent organisation has been more critical of the current government than they were of the previous government. On two occasions, the Minister claimed that while Greenpeace criticised his decision to approve Australia’s biggest coal mine, Carmichael mine, Greenpeace said nothing when Labor approved the nearby Alpha coal mine.

“A quick google search with ‘Greenpeace AND “Alpha Mine”’ shows Greenpeace was in fierce opposition to Alpha coal mine,” said Greenpeace Program Director Ben Pearson. “A total of 2,190 google results come up with those exact words,” said Pearson.

One page on the Greenpeace website says: “The Alpha development is an environmental disaster, threatening our Reef, our climate and wildlife in the mining area.”

A further blog about the Alpha Mine on the Greenpeace website is titled “Mega mine, mega catastrophe.”

 “We know Minister Hunt is au fait with Wikipedia, but he should try using Google,” said Pearson, “especially before he starts discrediting independent organisations supported by tens of thousands of Australians on national radio.”

“Rather than attacking environmental organisations, we think Minister Hunt’s time would be better used protecting the environment he is employed to protect,” said Pearson.

“Greenpeace is a wholly independent organisation that does not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties,” said Pearson. “We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals who make monthly donations to support our campaigns precisely so that we can maintain our independence from political parties and campaign to protect Australia’s precious places regardless of the politics of the day.”

“Our most urgent priority right now is saving the Great Barrier Reef from destructive coal developments like that just approved yesterday by Minister Hunt.”

“Carmichael Mine will be the biggest coal mine ever seen in Australia.

“This mega mine and its associated infrastructure will impact a total of 60 threatened species, require over 3 million tonnes of sea floor to be dredged from inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, and produce over 130 mega tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” Pearson said.

Video footage and photographs of the Carmichael mine site and Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact:

Elsa Evers
Greenpeace Media Advisor
Tel: 0438 204 041
Email: eevers@greenpeace.org.au

Detailed media backgrounder with links to documents here. 

“These previously secret documents show the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority repeatedly advised the Environment Department to reject the controversial dredging and dumping proposal because of the current health of the Reef and the long term and irreversible harm it would cause,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Louise Matthiesson. 

“Australians who love the Reef and are appalled by the approvals granted to dredge and dump in its pristine waters will be looking to Minister Hunt to explain how he can justify rejecting this expert advice, which included evidence that his water quality offset plan was ‘unachievable’.” 

The GBRMPA was preparing to refuse permits to dump in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park because it considered the consequences of dredging were unknown and viable alternatives existed to dredging on the proposed scale. It considered the water quality offset plan to be ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unachievable’.  GBRMPA also considered dumping at sea would be inconsistent with Australia’s obligations under international treaties on the prevention of marine pollution. 

In the Executive Summary of GBRMPA’s recommendation to the Environment Department on dredging the Authority noted, “The proposal to dredge and dispose of up to 1.6 million cubic metres of sediment per year … has the potential to cause long-term irreversible harm to areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park … in particular seagrass meadows and nearby coral reefs…” 

“The information… provided by the proponent does not adequately address the potential for further impacts to these recovering habitats. The dredge plume modelling provided by the proponent… has been found to be of limited value, deficient and unreliable.” 
Greenpeace  Australia Pacific is calling on the Environment Minister Greg Hunt to revoke the approvals and ban dumping of dredge spoil in Reef waters. 

“These new documents raise very serious concerns about the Federal Government’s stewardship of the Reef,” Ms Louise Matthiesson said. 

“It is clear that Minister Hunt and his Department were willing to put other interests ahead of the health of this World Heritage jewel and Minister Hunt must explain why. 

“The Minister’s attitude is like that of a smoker who has been told by his doctor to stop smoking then goes down to the convenience store to buy a pack of 25s,” Ms Matthiesson said.

The documents released cover up to August 2013. Although this is prior to Minister Hunt’s appointment, the details of the approval he signed off on in December 2013 were very similar to that put forward in July 2013.  Greenpeace is not aware of any significantly material changes to the project proposal during that time or any new scientific evidence which would have justified a major change in GBRMPA’s advice to the Department. 

To arrange interviews: Alison Orme Greenpeace Australia 0432 332 104
Spokesperson: Louise Matthiesson, QLD Campaigner, Greenpeace.  +61 406 041 428, lmatthie@greenpeace.org

Maules Creek is the largest coal mine under construction in Australia. The Galilee mines would be the largest ever built in the country. These – and many more projects – are approved on the proviso that offsets compensate for the damage the developments cause.

The controversy surrounding Whitehaven’s coal mine escalated last month when yet another report was released questioning the integrity of Whitehaven’s proposed offsets. Ecolorist John Hunter found land purchased by Whitehaven to replace Whitebox gum at its Maules Creek site in NSW's Leard Forest contained little of the endangered ecological community. Only about five per cent of the sites surveyed “was likely to fulfil the criteria of the critically endangered ecological community determination", said Dr. Hunter in a report commissioned by the Northern Inland Council for Environment.

“In the case of Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine, the company is on the verge of wiping out swathes of rare and precious forest, and offsetting it with clapped out and cleared country that has next to nothing of the ecological value of the Leard State Forest,” said Ben Pearson, Head of Program at Greenpeace.

Phil Spark, an independent ecologist who has mapped both the endangered ecological community in the Leard state Forest and the alleged offsets said, “Comparing the offset properties purchased by Whitehaven Coal to the endangered ecological community in the Leard State Forest is like comparing a car park to forest – they have next to nothing in common. I really welcome the Senate Inquiry for shining a light on this murky business.”

“At Abbot Point, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was scathing about the validity of the offsets,” said Pearson. “Yet somehow these were still used in justification for approving new coal terminals in one of the most precious places on the planet. Quite simply, the vast majority of offsets are thinly veiled attempts to justify the unjustifiable,” concluded Pearson.

For further information contact
Ben Pearson 0424 575 1110424 575 111
Julie Macken 0400 925 2170400 925 217
Phil Spark 0427 642 2450427 642 245

The Maules Creek Community Council had been seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court.

Greenpeace is calling for the State Government to ensure that no further work is done of any kind on the site until the scheduled hearing in September.

Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner, Nic Clyde said:

“We welcome today’s announcement but Minister Goward must immediately stop all work at Maules Creek coal mine.

“Whitehaven Coal’s investors should also be heading for the exits as this dud investment suffers another critical blow.”

 “This latest delay in construction is yet another warning to investors. Whitehaven Coal has consistently failed to meet its own construction schedule at their Maules Creek mine, which is why they found themselves in the Land and Environment Court. Happily though, this is great news for the threatened bat and bird species which now have a place to hibernate or nest over the winter.

Contact:

Elsa Evers, Greenpeace Communications Officer – 0438 204 041

Nic Clyde, Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner – 0438 282 409

The icebreaker has been held in custody since the ‘Arctic 30’, which included Tasmanian Colin Russell and permanent Australian residents Alexandra Harris and Jon Beauchamp, were apprehended on September 19th, 2013. On June 6th, 2014, Russia's Investigative Committee informed Greenpeace International that it was annulling the arrest of the Arctic Sunrise. A Greenpeace crew, led by Captain Daniel Rizzotti, finally gained access to the Arctic Sunrise on June 27th, and has spent three weeks making the ship seaworthy, after finding considerable disorder on board.

“When the Captain and crew boarded the Arctic Sunrise they found it in a bad state, with no maintenance for ten months, and the ship’s navigation, communications and safety systems either removed or destroyed”, said Greenpeace International Arctic campaigner Faiza Oulahsen.

“The Arctic Sunrise is now headed for Amsterdam, where the ship will need to undergo extensive repairs, so that it can get back to protecting the Arctic from reckless oil companies like Shell and Gazprom”.

The Arctic Sunrise is expected to arrive in Amsterdam in early August, where Greenpeace activists and supporters, along with members of the Arctic 30, will welcome the ship, before it enters a shipyard for a thorough assessment of its condition and the necessary repairs. Russia’s Investigative Committee recently told Greenpeace that it had extended its investigation into the Arctic 30 case until September 24th 2014, despite the fact that the criminal case against the 30 has been dropped.

“The illegal boarding and arrest of the Arctic Sunrise and the ongoing investigation into the Arctic 30 protest was an attempt to intimidate and stifle debate about Arctic oil drilling, but it has only made us stronger”, said Oulahsen, who was one of the Arctic 30 members detained in Russia. "Millions of people spoke out against the illegal imprisonment of the Arctic 30. These same millions of people know the planet is warming and that Arctic ice is melting, and will continue to peacefully oppose the reckless pursuit of Arctic oil both in Russia and around the world”.

“Greenpeace, along with scientists, have been raising the alarm about bigeye tuna since 2006. Now the species is down to just 16 per cent of its original population size – a limit the Commission itself says is an unacceptable risk and which would trigger a halt to fishing if it was an Australian managed stock,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle

“A record number of giant purse seine vessels from the EU, Asia and US, spent a record number of days at sea and caught a record haul of tuna – it doesn’t take a genius to work out this out-of-control fleet, reliant on destructive fish aggregating devices (FADs), is the main culprit.”

The use of FADs – floating devices often attached to sonar and satellite beacons that increase catches but result in large quantities of bycatch of non-target species being caught - makes purse seine fishing much more indiscriminate, catching mostly juvenile bigeyes that haven’t had a chance to reproduce. The purse seine fleet primarily targets skipjack tuna which is destined for the tinned tuna market.

Bigeye tuna, is a highly-prized sashimi tuna targeted by long line vessels including those operating in Australia’s Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery.

“The Bigeye stock is not just being threatened; it’s also being squandered by the purse seine fleet. On the east coast of Australia, we rely on catching mature bigeye that have had a chance to breed and which fetch top dollar at fish markets, the overcatch by the purse seine fleet is a waste of good fish that also undermines our efforts at improved management,” said Pavo Walker, owner of Mooloolaba tuna fishing company Walker Seafoods, the largest fishing company on Australia’s east coast.

The Australian east coast tuna fishery is managed with strict quotas and restrictions on the types of fishing gears in order to reduce bycatch, but is based on the same stocks of tuna as the Pacific tuna fishery.

“This is bad news for Australian fishers, but it’s absolutely devastating for the Pacific where, for many countries, tuna is the number one source of income and a primary source of protein. This is an economic and social crime committed by distant water fleets that is repeated year after year and will soon lead to the disappearance of one of the world's favourite fish,” continued Pelle.

The Greenpeace delegation at the WCPFC science committee meeting is demanding (1):

• A recovery plan for bigeye tuna that includes a full ban on FAD use, cuts to total longline effort, and cuts to purse seine capacity Urgent precautionary advice for the conservation and management of sharks
• The final complete set of limit reference points for all species caught in the WCPFC and interim target reference points for all tuna and billfish species.

Australians consume over 40,000 tonnes of tinned tuna every year, almost all of which is caught in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

"To be sure they aren't contributing to the problem, Australians can look for Australian-caught fresh tuna, or responsible tinned options on the shelves that aren't caught with FADs," continued Walker.

A Greenpeace campaign in 2013 saw all Australian tinned tuna brands commit to removing FADs from their supply chains by 2015-16.

Contact:

Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner – 0402 856 063

Jessa Latona, Greenpeace Communications Officer - 0488 028 465

(1) Greenpeace position for WCPFC SC 10: http://wcpfc.int/node/19349