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DTE's quarterly newsletter provides information on ecological justice in Indonesia.

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DTE publications

Aceh's forests under more pressure

Down to Earth No 69 May 2006

Forestry minister Kaban issued logging permits to five timber companies in Aceh in March, ending a partial moratorium imposed in 2001. The decision is intended to make more timber available for post-tsunami reconstruction. However, local community organisations and NGOs believe the resumption of large-scale legal operations will further endanger communities and accelerate deforestation.

Widespread opposition

Certification controversy

Down to Earth No 69 May 2006

Parts of two forest concessions, both of which have controversial track records, have been certified. This raises the question of what safeguards on social and environmental sustainability do such partial certifications offer local communities and international consumers? Or are these just pilot projects intended to 'test the water' at the very time Indonesia is trying to increase its credibility on international markets as a source of legal and sustainable timber.

FLEGT: merely political rhetoric?

Down to Earth No 69 May 2006

European governments say they want to stop imports of illegally-sourced timber, but what is the action behind the words? A recent visit to Europe by Indonesian campaigners tried to find out.

Letters to DTE

Down to Earth No 69 May 2006

DTE welcomes readers' comments and reactions to our reports. Please email letters to dte@gn.apc.org, fax to +44 16977 46266 or send by mail to DTE, 59 Athenlay Road, London SE15 3EN, England.

Freeport/Rio Tinto payments to military and police

Dear DTE,

A recipe for injustice

Down to Earth No 69 May 2006

Foreign direct investment and infrastructure development are two main planks in Jakarta's economic strategy which promise to marginalise communities and to worsen Indonesia's ecological crisis.

DTE newsletter 68 - February 2006 - full edition for download

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New mine will mean more marine pollution in Sulawesi

Down to Earth No 68 February 2006

Villagers and NGOs are trying to stop a British-registered company developing a gold mine which could drastically affect the livelihoods of fisherfolk living in Rinondoran Bay, North Sulawesi.

Protests in Jakarta by community representatives from North Sulawesi against gold mining and its impacts on the marine environment, livelihoods and human health: the words 'Newmont', 'Buyat Bay' and 'STD' quickly spring to mind.