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Last year, a European law protecting forests was enacted. However, some EU countries are now attempting to delay the implementation of this law.

Dutch development bank FMO and French development bank Proparco have investments in Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) through its owner SIFCA in the Ivory Coast. Wilmar, one of the largest palm oil companies in the world, is one of the main shareholders. The banks recently visited the operation areas of Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) in southeastern Liberia from 10 to 15 March 2024 after the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Milieudefensie raised alarm about social and environmental harms in the plantation in their February 2023 report titled: “Social and Environmental Impacts of Maryland Oil Palm Plantations in Liberia.”

The energy transition requires the use of minerals such as nickel. However, a growing number of reports point to the negative environmental and social impact of nickel mining in countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. 31 investors have now signed a statement with the aim of integrating responsible mining practices and higher standards for the natural, environmental and social impact into nickel chains.

 As the World observes the International Women’s Day (IWD), the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) calls on all stakeholders that this day should not only be characterized by the usual speeches and statements. 

In a statement issued on Friday, March 8, 2024, commemorating the day, the right-based organization calls for concrete and practical actions that will finally put an end to various issues affecting women and girls in Liberia including domestic violence in all its forms, rape, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as sexual harassment, and economic insecurity.

Women and girls, in all their diversity, are at the frontline to protect our planet. Their solutions and perspectives are critical to address the crises. The Green Livelihoods Alliance is dedicated to the full inclusion and meaningful participation of women and girls in safeguarding tropical forests. Watch our video.

In October of last year, the 2^nd global thematic social forum on mining and the extractive economy (TSF-mining) was held in Semarang, Indonesia. IUCN NL partner organisation Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) was one of the co-organisers of the event. The aim of the TSF-mining is to strengthen and build a broad global movement of activists from all continents who are facing the problems of mining and extractivism in their territories, and to build mutual solidarity and common solutions to guarantee human rights, the rights of nature and to ensure a just and equitable world for present and future generations.

The Forests for a Just Future programme of the Green Livelihoods Alliance aims to ensure that tropical forest landscapes are sustainably and inclusively governed to mitigate and adapt to climate change, fulfil human rights and safeguard local livelihoods in 11 countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. In 2023, the programme underwent an external midterm review (MTR). This review was conducted in compliance with the grant agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Overall, the MTR shows that the programme is right on track and it includes a set of useful recommendations, the majority of which are being taken up in the final two years of the programme.

To document mining concessions about the protection of the environment and the rights of local communities in western Liberia, the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) in late 2023 engaged mining communities in Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties on the Just Energy Transition (JET) project. 

The JET is a thematic program within the Green Livelihoods Alliance Forests for a Just Future. It connects local communities to global levels for struggles to address climate change by supporting a Just Energy Transition.

Intimidation, violence, and environmental destruction are rampant at the Maryland Oil Palm Plantations (MOPP) in Liberia. Dutch financiers such as the development bank FMO and pension funds are implicated in these issues. We urge them to increase pressure on MOPP and the palm oil company Wilmar.