Mapping environmental justice

EEB/UNEP

Brussels

March 19, 2014

Landgrabbing

Anne van Schaik

Friends of the Earth Europe

Definition landgrabbing FoEI

When companies, states, financial investors and

elites take control over land and the resources

from it for their own profit’ (forests, water, soils).

Often this land is previously owned or used by

communities. Human Rights violations,

environmental destruction and the

commodification of land and the resources are

inherent in land grabbing.

Why does land grabbing happen?

- Demand for commodities high through EU policies

- Investment

- Extraction of mining, tourism, dam projects, timber

- NOT to benefit people on the land, but to contribute

to the global commodity supply.

Who is responsible

for landgrabbing?

- Companies

- (host)

governments

- EU and

international

policies

- Consumers

Landgrabbing in Indonesia: the case of

Bumitama

What happens when a palmoil company

comes and takes the land

http://vimeo.com/79735349

What can we do

EU: reduce land footprint through RER

EU: Scrap EU targets and subsidies for biofuels, which

are driving expansion of palm oil plantations overseas.

EU governments: ensure that investors apply strict

policy when financing agricultural companies

EU: Ensure access for communities to legal redress in

countries where investment originates.

NGOs and activists: sharing information: ongoing

research, overview cases, working together,

present alternatives.

Thank you!