Partnerships
True to its mission, ACE and its members engage with others in the industry value chain, such as with the food and drinks industry, retailers, consumer organisations, the paper industry, forest certification bodies, and also with the packaging, waste collection and management industries and other interested stakeholders.
In its environmental charter, ACE has spelled out that “members are open to dialogue with stakeholders. They support the partnerships that ACE has undertaken and signed with environmental NGOs and other organizations sharing compatible objectives and values.” In particular, an active partnership with WWF has been in place since 2005.
For the text of the environmental charter, click here.
WWF and ACE
ACE and its members work together with the WWF European Policy Office (EPO) to form mutual understanding on issues of common interest, and promote measures that are capable of delivering positive outcomes for both partners.
ACE and WWF renewed their co-operation agreement in July 2009 for a three-year period, with the aim of shaping the EU sustainable agenda on forestry, as well as environmental footprint.
On forest policy, ACE and WWF are particularly engaged in the fight against the trade of illegal timber products, which causes damage to forests, biodiversity, and local communities.
The two organisations also promote the role forests play in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration (the carbon absorbed by the trees through photosynthesis). Linked closely to this, is the promotion of responsible forest management practices, and ongoing impact assessments of the paperboard production industry on the environment.
Along the value chain, ACE and WWF EPO also explore with the ACE carton manufacturers, ways in which they can reduce their environmental footprint and what measures can realistically be taken.
ELO and ACE
The European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) and the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) work together to ensure that the production of the beverage carton respects the environment, particularly around forestry and land use issues, environmental footprint, and the role of business in protecting biodiversity.
Further, both ACE and ELO understand that private stakeholders are an integral part of the socio-economic fabric and contribute to the advancement and implementation of European policies.