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A REVOLUTION IN RUBBER

An industry which for years neglected its forest footprint is now moving forward on sustainability

Natural rubber – which is used in products from tires to condoms – is grown in the tropics in Asia and in Africa. Most natural rubber is produced by smallholder family households, often in  systems where rubber trees occupy all the available farmland. This “monoculture” rubber poses increasing environmental and climate problems, including rampant deforestation, habitat loss and ecosystem destruction, as well as pollution and degradation of soils and water sources.

After turning a blind eye to their impact on Nature for too long, the industry has recently begin to address the need to halt rubber-related deforestation. Mighty Earth has been spearheading efforts to hold the industry accountable through investigations, public campaigns and direct dialogue with rubber, tire and automotive companies.

Like many agricultural commodities grown in the tropics, the majority of rubber grown in SE Asia and Africa is exported to other countries. As such, Mighty Earth also is also working with policymakers in major consumer markets such as the EU, UK, and US to curb the sale of rubber products linked to deforestation.

  • 76%

    Natural rubber consumed globally by the tire industry

  • 1 million hectares

    Area of rubber plantations replacing forests in Key Biodiversity Areas of SE Asia since 2000

  • 85%

    Share of global rubber produced by small farmers

Our Work

LIFTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS

We are a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural rubber and serve on the Executive Committee. Learn about the latest developments from the GPSNR.

What's New

Greenwashing Rubber?

Building on Mighty Earth’s research, an investigation by Voxeurop suggested Michelin tried to greenwash its flagship “sustainable rubber” project in Indonesia

Read More Here

Related Topics

Transforming Agriculture

Communities

Protecting Nature

Asia

Wildlife

Related News

09/Dec/2023
Media Statement: Mighty Earth says long-awaited UK Deforestation Due Diligence legislation falls short of being “world-beating.”
Media Statement: More industry ambition needed on sustainable natural rubber after underwhelming conclusion to 15 months of negotiations
25/Oct/2023
Media Statement: More industry ambition needed on sustainable natural rubber after underwhelming conclusion to 15 months of negotiations
29/Nov/2022
Michelin moves to keep rubber in EU Deforestation Regulation
Excavator in action at RLU/LAJ concession on High Conservation Value (HCV) potential area on the edge of Bukit Tigapuluh National Park, Jambi in Sumatra, November 2014. Credit: TFT/Earthworm (2014)
15/Nov/2022
New investigation alleges deforestation and greenwashing linked to Michelin.
15/Sep/2022
Victory: Mighty Earth celebrates European Parliament’s vote to include rubber in legislation aimed at ending deforestation in EU supply chains
15/Dec/2021
Industry Takes Another Step Towards Assuring Sustainable Natural Rubber 
Why Rubber Must be Kept in the EU’s Anti-Deforestation Law
25/Oct/2021
Why Rubber Must be Kept in the EU’s Anti-Deforestation Law
Hat Yai sustainable rubber workshop
22/Jul/2021
Learning how to ‘do’ sustainable rubber
01/Jul/2021
Lobby group representing Michelin, Goodyear and Continental pressures EU Commission to exclude rubber from deforestation law