An investigation by several NGOs including Friends of the Earth and GRAIN shows that recent fires in Brazil have taken place on farms owned by Harvard University’s endowment fund and the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). In addition to the Amazon fires that have received the bulk of media attention, fires have also taken …
This report analyses deforestation risks linked to the “JJF Holding de Investimentos e Participações” land-grabbing case in Formosa do Rio Preto in the Matopiba region of the Cerrado biome (Brazil). The JJF Holding case, one of the largest land-grabbing incidents in Brazil, is linked to land tenure insecurities that cover 366,000 hectares in one of …
Significant shifts in soft commodity trade are continuing rapidly. China’s palm oil imports in August reached their highest level in six years at 590,000 tons. At current pace, China’s imports of palm oil are set to be the highest annual rate ever in 2019. This is likely another consequence of the U.S.-China trade war. As …
Dozens of the largest fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs) have pledged to combat deforestation in recent years. Many did so as part of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), which in 2010 set a goal of achieving net-zero deforestation by 2020 by responsibly sourcing soy, palm oil, paper and pulp, and cattle. Many also endorsed the …
Since the Amazon fires became worldwide news in August, companies operating in Brazil and the country itself have come under increased scrutiny and greater pressure from investors to address their roles in deforestation. Evidence shows that the fires in the Amazon overlap with human-driven deforestation. The likely response by the international community, consumers, and investors …
High deforestation rates in Brazil and massive fires in the Amazon have put agricultural companies operating in the country and their investors in the spotlight. Agricultural supply chains are key drivers of deforestation, with cattle and soy playing major roles. With agricultural expansion taking place in Brazil and environmental regulations having been loosened there since …
Glencore Agriculture is an agricultural commodity trading company that operates in corn, cotton, soy, and grains markets. Glencore Agriculture has been a stand-alone business since Glencore PLC divested in 2016. Its main shareholders are Glencore PLC (49.99 percent), the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB; 39.99 percent) and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI; …
The European Commission (EC) this week released proposals to step up action to reduce deforestation globally and cut the EU’s exposure to deforestation-linked commodities. The EC laid out plans to stimulate the use of deforestation-free products through both “regulatory and non-regulatory measures.” Recognizing that relying on voluntary approaches and non-binding guidance is not enough, the …
Cargill is the largest privately-held company in the United States and the second largest soy exporter in Brazil. In April 2018, Chain Reaction Research (CRR) concluded that Cargill’s 2030 zero-deforestation deadline allowed its Brazilian suppliers to continue deforesting in the Cerrado. This report assesses Cargill’s current deforestation risks in Brazil’s soy supply chain, given recent …
BlackRock’s recent statement that it is engaging with palm oil companies to better understand the industry’s challenges related to biodiversity and deforestation marked the first public acknowledgement from the firm of ESG risks associated with this sector. “Our engagements were part of an ongoing, multi-year effort to further our understanding of, and encourage companies to …
