Guidelines

The intent of the Amazon Friendly initiative is to promote the upkeep of social and environmental standards by establishing guidelines for the operation of resource-based industries in the Amazon. In such a way, it aims to enable economic self-sufficiency of marginalised workers whilst using the resources of the forest in a sustainable manner.

To achieve the first of Amazon Friendly's three objectives, any resourced-based company located in the Amazon may take part in the Amazon Friendly initiative, if they adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. The company must encourage and adopt environmental practices that ensure the sustainable use of the forest' s resources. These resources must be actively managed in such a way as to guarantee that the resource is not depleted or negatively impacted. Ideally the company should provide a means to promote the environmental protection of the area in which they operate.
  2. The company must adopt responsible methods of production with a view to minimising environmental impacts created through the generation of wastes, effluents or air emissions.
  3. The company must encourage the development of local businesses and partnerships that allow for long-term planning and sustainable production practices.
  4. The company should aim to encourage its partners to continuously improve working conditions and product quality, to improve the environmental stability of their activities and to invest in the development of their organisations and the welfare of their producers/workers.
  5. The company should seek to create opportunities for the economic growth of local produces or harvesters, especially those that are economically disadvantaged or marginalized.
  6. The company must employ transparent management practises with regard to its commercial relations, with a view to ensuring that all trading partners are dealt with respectfully and fairly.
  7. The company must ensure that the pricing agreed for the payment of forest resources covers the costs of sustainable production and living, and also ensure that it allows for a margin that can be applied to the investment into further development.
  8. The company must ensure that payments are made promptly and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.
  9. The company must ensure the safe and healthy working environment for producers.
  10. The company must seek to always ensure equality in pay for equal work.
  11. The company must ensure that the participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play.