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Papua New Guinea is home to the world’s third largest rain forest, which is also one of the last remaining climate critical forests however palm oil harvesters are clearing the forests, and in the own words, attacking anyone who gets in their way!
During a two-year investigation by Global Witness, top executives from one of the major palm oil companies revealed their crimes; destruction of rain forest, tax avoidance, modern slavery, corruption and bribery. As consumers, we are indirectly funding this travesty as it’s found in almost everything we purchase including pizza, biscuits, chocolates even deodorants and cosmetics.
‘Tainted palm oil and its derivatives from Papua New Guinea plantations were sold on to well-known big brands including Kellogg’s, Nestlé, Colgate, Danone, Hershey, and PZ Cussons and Reckitt Benckiser, the parent companies of Imperial Leather and Strepsils.’
The East New Britain Company (ENB) is one of the largest logging and palm oil companies operating out of Papua New Guinea. ENB bribe officials across Papua New Guinea to be given concessions to cut down forests and harvest Palm Oil. Not only this, ENB utilise child labour, employing children as young as ten whilst partnering with police departments to brutalise and lock-up villagers during the night, who object to their operations within the forest.
Leading up to COP26, the report from Global Witness highlights a key question “Are global brands anywhere near as green as they claim to be?”
