News

In August 2022, an unprecedented gathering occurred. This was the Gaan Kuutu, a regional exchange where 26 representatives from indigenous, tribal and peasant communities in South American had the opportunity to share first hand their experiences in how to best manage their lands.

Friends of the Earth Netherlands was in Geneva to address the UN in the context of the Universal Periodic Review: the human rights exam each country has to do every five years. Together with IUCN NL and Stand Up For Your Rights we wrote a report with 3 conclusions on the Netherlands.

We call upon the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to undo certifications to Socfin, Africa's biggest plantation company. We also ask to improve on transparency in its process, recognize the climate of fear, and investigate other allegations as well. Please read below in English and French.

Ebo Forest in Cameroon is again under threat. This time for road building. We urge the international donor community to act now, prevent the destruction of this iconic forest and commit to inclusive development pathways for the Ebo communities.

In 2020, IUCN NL together with local partners carried out an investigation about informal mercury trade in different countries. Our local partner organisation CEDIB has gathered ground-breaking evidence about the informal mercury flows to and from Bolivia. They used this evidence and the media to make the public and government aware of the issue of mercury trade and push for action. CEDIB’s efforts were successful: the Bolivian government will start a national plan of action to reduce and phase out mercury.

Header photo: Landscape of the San José de Chiquitos mountain range (c) Sara Crespo-Probioma.

The formalization of forest tenure rights of Indigenous people and local communities is expected to contribute to forest conservation, livelihood improvement and local self-determination. But formalization alone is not enough. More attention is needed for the conditions that must be in place for these expectations to materialize.

The Tampakan mining project in the province of South Cotabato on the Philippines’ southern island of Mindanao is said to be the largest undeveloped copper-gold mine in Southeast Asia. Opening the mine would spell disaster for the region’s watershed systems, agricultural lands and climate resilience. Since the 1990s, the mine has faced stiff resistance from civil society, farmers and Indigenous peoples. A recent amendment to the province’s environmental code, which would have allowed for open-pit mining in the province, has now been vetoed by the province’s governor.

Header photo: Protest against mining that ATM organised together with human rights groups (c) Alyansa Tigil Mina

Commissioned by Friends of the Earth Netherlands, Indonesia and Malaysia, Utrecht University has conducted research into the consequences of forest fires in Southeast Asia for people and the environment. The findings and international solutions have been published in 3 memos.

In response to the EU’s proposed regulation on deforestation-free products, Tropenbos International and 50 other civil society organizations call on the Commission to urgently assess smallholders’ needs. Without support, smallholders may struggle to comply and be excluded from the EU market while deforestation continues.