This podcast focuses on the Rainforest Action Networks’ campaigns against rainforest destruction when Michael Brune became the program director at Rainforest Action Network.
This campaign targeted Citigroup because at the time, Citigroup was the world’s largest bank, and RAN found that in many industries, Citi was the largest financier of projects that were helping to degrade or destroy tropical forests.
“We knew that banks were providing loans or project financing that were helping to facilitate the destruction of old growth forests and old growth rainforests in particular, all around the world. We would highlight specific instances of Citi financing that were having a big impact on forests and human rights and climate change and ask them to take systemic action to prevent those kinds of instances in the future. This campaign led to the development of the Equator Principles which serve as a common baseline and risk management framework for financial institutions to identify, assess and manage environmental and social risks when financing projects.”
Interviewee:
Michael Brune
Podcast Title:
Former E.D., RAN/Sierra Club
Podcast Campaign:
Citigroup and Bank Rainforest Campaigns