July 2009: Treasuring biodiversity
Tea brand Lipton has signed a three-year partnership with a Tanzanian NGO to keep some of the country’s amazing wildlife safe.
Under threat – biodiversity in Tanzania
Horned chameleons, red colobus monkeys, fire lilies and orchids are just some of the incredible species to be found in the forested Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania. In fact, the area is home to such a great wealth of life that it's been designated one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots by Conservation International.
But sadly many of its species are now endangered. And to help protect this precious natural resource, Unilever, which owns and protects 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of natural forest as part of its tea estates in the region, has set up an agreement between its Lipton brand and local NGO the Tanzanian Forest Conservation Group (TFCG).
A future for the forest
The two partners will join forces over the next three years to help local people from five out of 15 neighbouring villages protect the forest, which is currently under threat – mainly from the harvesting of firewood.
Their main aim is to lessen the impact of the community on the forest. To make this happen, they're planning to supply fuel-efficient stoves to 50% of the households in the villages – reducing demand for firewood. They're also intending to plant 150,000 new trees.
Sharing the message
Another crucial task for the partners is to carry out education and awareness-raising work in the five villages, including the primary schools – a priority given that local families depend on the forest's natural resources for their livelihoods.
"This agreement is important because it underlines Lipton's willingness to help protect a unique biodiversity spot," says Michiel Leijnse, Global Brand Development Manager for Lipton.
"Part of our agreement is our intent to share these developments with our consumers, demonstrating Lipton's commitment to sustainability."
Unilever's tea estates in the region are already certified by leading NGO the Rainforest Alliance, and this new agreement builds on the brand's existing work in sustainability and conservation.
