American multinational Amazon is investing €1.1 million into the Brabantse Wouden national park in Flanders, said Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir.
Flanders is in the process of establishing four national parks, of which one is the Brabantse Wouden (Hallerbos, Sonian Forest, Dijlevallei and Meerdaalwoud) – a very extensive nature park in the middle of the most urbanised and built-up region in Europe.
"With the recognition of the four national parks, we also allowed funds to be acquired for them. Partnerships can be formed for this purpose, for instance with companies," Demir told De Morgen. "A first one is Amazon, which is willing to invest €1.1 million in the Brabant Woods. That money comes on top of the €700,000 we as a government provide annually per national park."
As soon as the national park was officially recognised, a general announcement was made to attract partnerships. After that call, Amazon contacted the Flemish Government. "I think it is a good thing that we were able to attract a private partner. The fact that private companies themselves say they think nature is important and want to provide pennies for that as well, it's great."
'Better than the Cayman Islands'
Amazon previously announced that it wants to be carbon neutral by 2040 and says it wants to be 'a force for good' in all countries where it operates, but the announcement raised questions about greenwashing. Demir, however, is not worried. "They do not need us for that. All I know is that I would rather see €1 million invested in nature than Amazon parking it in an account in the Cayman Islands. It is of no use to us there."
"Of course, we see more and more companies betting on biodiversity, ecosystems, sustainability and so on. I know companies often say that and sustainability is often used as a catch-all term. But we also see that a lot of the big players, like Microsoft, Google and so Amazon, are betting on it," Demir said. "They should walk the talk is what I say then. I can only applaud this. I hope other companies listen."
She is not afraid of being used for Amazon's purposes either, she said. "We have an extra €1.1 million now, real money that we can invest in nature, without any quid pro quo. It is not that I am obliged to promote for the company. I will continue to deliver the message that it is best to buy local just as much as before."
Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir. Credit: Jonas Roosens/Belga
The money will be used for a number of projects, such as building corridors between forests to allow animals to cross, which benefits biodiversity. "The money will also go into the ground: 30 farms will be supported to make a climate-friendly environment. Think about better retaining carbon in the soil or better protecting farmland from flooding."
Additionally, around 40 ambassadors will be recruited to enthuse the local community about the project and everything to do with nature. A scientific council of professors from four universities will also be set up and 250 measuring points will be installed in the park.
"These will keep track of all kinds of data, such as temperature, soil health or air quality. This scientific council will keep an eye on that data, conduct research with it and thus draw up a long-term policy for the forests," Demir said.
Eva Faict, country manager for Amazon in Belgium, told De Morgen that is wants to be 'a force for good' for companies but also for the climate. "We are already doing a lot. We want the last kilometre of our delivery to be carbon-free. We are investing in plastic-free and therefore paper and cardboard packaging."
Greenwashing?
The investment in Brabant Woods is part of the company's broader climate ambitions. Amazon imposed the Climate Pledge on itself, requiring the company to be carbon-neutral by 2040.
Faict said that a multi-billion dollar company spending €1.1 million on a nature project is Flanders in not greenwashing. "Look at the €1.1 million investment we are making: it's real. We do not have to do this, this is an active choice."
"We are proud that Amazon wants to help develop the first national parks in Flanders," she added. "Not only will this benefit biodiversity, we hope three million visitors will be able to enjoy the Brabant Woods every year."
