WWF France and Michelin Group renew their partnership for responsibly sourced natural rubber and sustainable mobility


Encouraged by the progress made during the first phase of the partnership, WWF France and Michelin Group have renewed their joint commitment for 4 years.

Objective: pursuing actions in favour of a sustainable natural rubber market and
developing a pilot project in Indonesia, as well as opening up their collaboration to
include sustainable mobility and the protection of biodiversity.

A “Zero deforestation” partnership

The first phase of collaboration, begun in 2015, related to the definition of sustainable natural rubber,
the development of procurement practices, and the promotion of good practices among the key players
on the market and in the international bodies. Thanks to this partnership, Michelin Group has been
able to publish its sustainable natural rubber policy and several major players have followed the
example of the Group in making commitments to zero deforestation.

In this context, WWF France and Michelin Group have developed together a pilot project in Indonesia.

Installed in zones that have sustained damaged, and which have priority status for the WWF on
account of their rich biodiversity and the proximity of the Bukit Tigapuluh park, this project aims to
preserve and restore the forest while developing responsible rubber plantations, to benefit both the
local communities and the ecosystems. The field project has made major progress, particularly with
the creation of a consultation and inclusion programme for the local communities, the construction of
villages, the shrinking of illegal deforestation practices in the territory, and the protection of nearly
10,000 additional hectares for the elephant population, despite a local context that presents many
social and environmental challenges.

The renewal of the current partnership between Michelin and WWF France will enable the
continuation of this project, to strike a balance between local economic development, benefits for the
local communities, and preservation of the forests and of biodiversity.

2019: Launch of the International Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber
This partnership contributed to the establishment, in March 2019, of the International Platform
for Sustainable Natural Rubber, of which Michelin Group and the WWF are founder members.

Joined by 39 other members, the platform’s mission is the large-scale transformation of the
purchasing and production practices for this key raw material, involving all stakeholders in the value
chain, from producer to consumer, so as to preserve the forests and ecosystems threatened by
unsustainable practices.

Here again, the renewal of the current partnership should make it possible to institute changes at the
heart of the rubber market and its production, by drawing on this platform.

Sustainable mobility and protection of biodiversity

Lastly, this new partnership phase opens up two additional lines of work: sustainable mobility and
protection of biodiversity. WWF France will support Michelin Group in aligning its greenhouse gas
emissions reduction goal against that of the Paris Agreement, to stay well below the 2?C target. They
will work together alongside international mobility and climate players to communicate joint messages
on the mobility of tomorrow. WWF France will also support Michelin Group in developing and then
implementing a Biodiversity 2030 strategy for the Group.

For more information, you will find the partnership impact report enclosed.

“Our ambition to develop sustainable mobility is enriched by the contributions from civil society and
all stakeholders. Hence, our global partnership with the WWF allows us to make more efficient and
rapid progress on essential topics, such as the protection of the tropical forests or of biodiversity. The
assessment of the actions that we have conducted together since 2015 is very encouraging.”

H?l?ne Paul, Michelin Group Purchasing Director
“Because it is one of the world’s leading purchasers of natural rubber, Michelin Group serves as a
vital lever for driving the transformation of rubber plantations and the rubber market. We are
proud of this collaboration which has already produced tangible results both on the rubber market
and on the ground. The renewal of this partnership represents a unique opportunity for bringing
good practices into the sector as a whole and in this way preserving the forests and biodiversity.”
Jean Bakouma, Forests Manager at WWF France

About WWF France

The WWF is one of the primary independent organisations for protection of the environment
worldwide. With an active network in more than 100 countries, and backed by the support of its 6
million members, the WWF works to put a halt to the deterioration of the natural environment on the
planet, and to build a future in which humans will live in harmony with nature, by conserving global
biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of renewable natural resources, and promoting the reduction of
pollution and waste.

Since 1973, WWF France has striven daily to offer future generations a living planet. With its
volunteers and the support of its 220,000 donors, WWF France takes concrete steps to safeguard the
natural environments and their species; to ensure the promotion of sustainable lifestyles; to train the
decision-makers; to support businesses in reducing their ecological footprint; and to educate the
young. Yet for change to be acceptable, it needs to be respected by all. This is why the philosophy of the
WWF is founded on dialogue and action.
Find all our news at www.wwf.fr

About Michelin

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably;
designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients’ needs;
providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique

experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries.
Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has more than
125,000 employees and operates 67 tire production facilities which together produced around 190
million tires in 2018. (www.michelin.com)

Encouraged by the progress made during the first phase of the partnership, WWF France and Michelin Group have renewed their joint commitment for 4 years.

Objective: pursuing actions in favour of a sustainable natural rubber market and developing a pilot project in Indonesia, as well as opening up their collaboration to include sustainable mobility and the protection of biodiversity.

A "Zero deforestation" partnership

The first phase of collaboration, begun in 2015, related to the definition of sustainable natural rubber, the development of procurement practices, and the promotion of good practices among the key players on the market and in the international bodies. Thanks to this partnership, Michelin Group has been able to publish its sustainable natural rubber policy and several major players have followed the example of the Group in making commitments to zero deforestation.

In this context, WWF France and Michelin Group have developed together a pilot project in Indonesia.

Installed in zones that have sustained damaged, and which have priority status for the WWF on account of their rich biodiversity and the proximity of the Bukit Tigapuluh park, this project aims to preserve and restore the forest while developing responsible rubber plantations, to benefit both the local communities and the ecosystems. The field project has made major progress, particularly with the creation of a consultation and inclusion programme for the local communities, the construction of villages, the shrinking of illegal deforestation practices in the territory, and the protection of nearly 10,000 additional hectares for the elephant population, despite a local context that presents many social and environmental challenges.

The renewal of the current partnership between Michelin and WWF France will enable the continuation of this project, to strike a balance between local economic development, benefits for the local communities, and preservation of the forests and of biodiversity.

2019: Launch of the International Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber This partnership contributed to the establishment, in March 2019, of the International Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, of which Michelin Group and the WWF are founder members.

Joined by 39 other members, the platform's mission is the large-scale transformation of the purchasing and production practices for this key raw material, involving all stakeholders in the value chain, from producer to consumer, so as to preserve the forests and ecosystems threatened by unsustainable practices.

Here again, the renewal of the current partnership should make it possible to institute changes at the heart of the rubber market and its production, by drawing on this platform.

Sustainable mobility and protection of biodiversity

Lastly, this new partnership phase opens up two additional lines of work: sustainable mobility and protection of biodiversity. WWF France will support Michelin Group in aligning its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal against that of the Paris Agreement, to stay well below the 2?C target. They will work together alongside international mobility and climate players to communicate joint messages on the mobility of tomorrow. WWF France will also support Michelin Group in developing and then implementing a Biodiversity 2030 strategy for the Group.

For more information, you will find the partnership impact report enclosed.

"Our ambition to develop sustainable mobility is enriched by the contributions from civil society and all stakeholders. Hence, our global partnership with the WWF allows us to make more efficient and rapid progress on essential topics, such as the protection of the tropical forests or of biodiversity. The assessment of the actions that we have conducted together since 2015 is very encouraging."

H?l?ne Paul, Michelin Group Purchasing Director "Because it is one of the world's leading purchasers of natural rubber, Michelin Group serves as a vital lever for driving the transformation of rubber plantations and the rubber market. We are proud of this collaboration which has already produced tangible results both on the rubber market and on the ground. The renewal of this partnership represents a unique opportunity for bringing good practices into the sector as a whole and in this way preserving the forests and biodiversity." Jean Bakouma, Forests Manager at WWF France

About WWF France

The WWF is one of the primary independent organisations for protection of the environment worldwide. With an active network in more than 100 countries, and backed by the support of its 6 million members, the WWF works to put a halt to the deterioration of the natural environment on the planet, and to build a future in which humans will live in harmony with nature, by conserving global biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of renewable natural resources, and promoting the reduction of pollution and waste.

Since 1973, WWF France has striven daily to offer future generations a living planet. With its volunteers and the support of its 220,000 donors, WWF France takes concrete steps to safeguard the natural environments and their species; to ensure the promotion of sustainable lifestyles; to train the decision-makers; to support businesses in reducing their ecological footprint; and to educate the young. Yet for change to be acceptable, it needs to be respected by all. This is why the philosophy of the WWF is founded on dialogue and action. Find all our news at www.wwf.fr

About Michelin

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique

experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has more than 125,000 employees and operates 67 tire production facilities which together produced around 190 million tires in 2018. (www.michelin.com)

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