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Projects
To illustrate our broad expertise, covering many different economic sectors, commodities, sustainability themes and countries, this page gives an overview of the different projects executed by Profundo over the years. In the menu, you can filter the projects by thematic area. Each project is described briefly and where available the project portfolio - such as reports, brochures or presentations - is provided. Attention is also given to the exposure generated by the project in the media, in politics and elsewhere.
We analyse the financial parameters of companies and assess how companies and their financiers could be affected in different scenarios by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks related to deforestation, climate change emissions, human rights abuses, resource depletion, health impacts and other sustainability issues.
We analyse the various human rights and other sustainability risks in international commodity supply chains and identify what different stakeholders can do to foster sustainable development of value chains in agriculture, forestry, livestock, energy, fisheries and mineral sectors.
We analyse how companies are financed by banks, shareholders and others financiers, to assess what financiers could do to foster sustainable corporate practices. Also, we dig into ownership structures and the schemes companies have set up to minimise tax payments.
We assess and benchmark responsible investment and credit policies of banks and investors and we advise on how policies can be improved and implemented through screening, voting, engagement and exclusion strategies.
December 2019
December 20, 2019
Risking animal welfare: Follow-up case study on investment in chicken and pig meat production
This case study is a follow-up of the case study ‘Risking Animal Welfare’, published by the Dutch Fair Bank Guide, in February 2018. The aim of this case study is to establish financial exposure of the Dutch banking groups with a set of 28 chicken and pig meat companies selected from the different parts of the meat value chain, including meat producers, processors, retailers, and restaurant companies.
December 13, 2019
Deforestation Not ‘an Immediate Priority’ for Walmart Despite Financial Risks
By revenue, Walmart is the largest company in the world, employing about 2.2
million people and serving over 265 million customers a week. Private-label
products sold by Walmart contain commodities that contribute to deforestation.
For the forest-risk commodities – palm oil, pulp and paper, soy, and beef – Walmart
has set zero net deforestation goals for 2020. Although Walmart encourages its
suppliers to address deforestation in their supply chains, the company does not
have a system in place to track and monitor the origin of these four commodities.
December 9, 2019
Oil Palm Growers Exposed to USD 0.4-5.9B in Social Compensation Risk
Oil palm plantation development and its effects on land clearing has likely
impacted areas of critical value to local communities. While palm growers have
made progress in quantifying and compensating loss for areas with
environmental value, they have made less headway regarding compensation
for clearing of land with social and cultural values. If palm growers cannot
effectively mitigate these risks and compensate for the losses, complaints and
conflicts with local communities are likely to ensue. In Indonesia, evidence
shows that growers experience substantial operational, stranded land, and
market access risks from social conflicts.
December 17, 2019
Feed and Livestock in Brazil, China, EU Consume Most Cerrado Soy
This paper maps players in the Matopiba (a region in the Brazilian Cerrado) soy supply chain, focusing on midstream crushing as well as compound feed and livestock sectors in key soy processing markets. Their soy consumption is connected to considerable deforestation risk.
December 11, 2019
A Review Of Sustainable Finance Reforms In Indonesia
This report, based on data from the Forests&Finance database, released by Rainforest Action Network, TuK Indonesia, WAHLI, Jikalahari and Profundo reviews the progress of Indonesia’s Sustainable Finance reforms over the past 5 years. It shows that while new standards have started to improve the requirements on banks to disclose Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks in their portfolios, major loopholes remain. These problems are further compounded by lack of bank implementation on the obligations they do have.
The banks assessed failed to properly disclose - much less address - serious ESG risks identified in the operations of their major clients. Unreported risks included use of fire to clear land, labor violations, human rights violations, peatland development and deforestation. The report presents a suite of policy recommendations to close regulatory loopholes, improve bank risk management processes, and to increase transparency and accountability to the public and communities impacted by reckless bank financing.
Report: Rainforest Action Network: A Review Of Sustainable Finance Reforms In Indonesia
Report: Rainforest Action Network: A Review Of Sustainable Finance Reforms In Indonesia
Report: Rainforest Action Network: A Review Of Sustainable Finance Reforms In Indonesia (summary)
MalaysiaKini: ‘Most Maybank’s palm oil borrowers have sustainability certificates’
MalaysiaKini: M'sian banks among top lenders to Indonesia fire-linked firms
December 2, 2019
Insuring Coal No More, The 2019 Scorecard on Insurance, Coal and Climate Change
Insuring Coal No More analyzes the evolving role of the global insurance industry in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It focuses on 30 leading insurers, assessing and scoring their policies on coal and tar sands insurance, divestment and other aspects of climate leadership on the basis of a survey with more than 80 questions. Of the 30 companies, 24 responded to the survey or provided other information.
Those that did not respond were scored on the basis of publicly available information.
Report: Insuring Coal No More, The 2019 Scorecard on Insurance, Coal and Climate Change
Actuarial Post: Insurers withdrawing cover from coal projects double in 2019
Economic Times: Policy shift: Insurers blacklist coal
Edie: Report: Coal 'becoming uninsurable' as cover withdrawal doubles
Intelligent Insurer: Insurers withdrawing cover from coal projects double in 2019
Reinsurance News: Coal exclusions double in 2019 as action spreads beyond Europe
The Actuary: Insurer support for coal plummets
The Guardian: Coal power becoming 'uninsurable' as firms refuse cover
The Royal Gazette: More insurers turning backs on coal projects
November 2019
November 28, 2019
Controversial Arms Trade and investments of Dutch Pension Funds
This study shows that of the ten largest pension funds in the Netherlands, nine have investments in arms producers which supply weapon systems to states were human rights are violated
November 22, 2019
Palm Oil Biofuels Market May See Shake-Up in 2020, Heightening Leakage Risks
The expansion of the palm oil industry in the last ten years was partially in response
to the anticipated demand for biofuels worldwide. The expected EU biodiesel boom
did not materialize, resulting in a systemic oversupply of palm oil in Southeast Asia.
A number of recent policy initiatives may bring about significant shifts in the enduser markets of palm oil-based biodiesel starting January 1, 2020. The geographical
markets and the sectors with growing biodiesel demand are not traditionally known
for their strict sustainability demands, and therefore may pose new leakage market
risks.
November 15, 2019
Procter & Gamble’s Deforestation Exposure May Affect Reputation
Procter & Gamble has a No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy that covers all third-party suppliers, and it has committed to developing a traceable supply chain. P&G applies its responsible sourcing policy at the supplier group level but relies on intermediary traders to engage with non-compliant growers and ensure a clean supply chain. In July 2019, P&G changed its organization design to six Sector Business Units (SBUs). It has decentralized responsibility for supply chains across its new business units.
November 28, 2019
La colossale empreinte carbone des banques : une affaire d’État
This report provides an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from the financing and investment activities of the four main French banks - BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale and Banque Populaire Caisse d’Epargne - in the fossil fuel sector in 2018.
Report: Amis de la Terre: French banks’ colossal carbon footprint: a matter of State
BankTrack: Report on French banks’ colossal carbon footprint
Financial Times: France seeks compulsory green reporting standards for EU companies
France Info: Deux ONG dénoncent l'empreinte carbone des banques françaises
Huffington Post: Les banques sommées par des ONG et le gouvernement de faire plus pour le climat
Le Figaro: France: deux ONG demandent au gouvernement de forcer les banques à se verdir
November 15, 2019
Research for PECH Committee - Seafood Industry Integration in the EU: all 22 Member States with a coastline
The aim of this study is to provide a clear description of the corporate structure of the EU seafood industry. It further provides a description of the drivers and mechanisms of
integration in the industry.
November 4, 2019
JJF Holding Land-Grabbing Case Intensifies Soy Traders’ Exposure to Cerrado Deforestation
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 the key Cerrado soyproducing areas. The land tenure insecurities expose soft-commodity traders like Bunge, ALZ and Cargill, to deforestation and financial risks
October 2019
October 29, 2019
Future Smallholder Deforestation: Possible Palm Oil Risk
Independent palm oil smallholders in Indonesia are facing declining yields per hectare as their trees are aging. Financial and land tenure hurdles prevent effective financing of replanting, raising the risk of increasing deforestation in Southeast Asia after a period of declining forest loss. This report evaluates the financial and other hurdlesin Indonesia and investigates plans by governments and companies to offer solutions.
October 10, 2019
Workers’ Rights in Supermarkets Supply Chains: New evidence on the need for action.
As part of Oxfam Novib's Behind the Barcodes project, new case studies have been conducted into abuses in the production chains of tea from Assam in India and tropical fruit from Brazil. Profundo has found links between supermarkets from 6 countries and the plantations where abuses took place.
BBC: Oxfam alleges abuse in UK supermarket supply chains
Der Tagesspiegel: Nur vier Cent einer Packung Markentee gehen an Plantagenarbeiter
Deutsche Welle: Oxfam slams German supermarkets over 'unfair practices'
Oxfam Novib: Poverty pay and abuse of workers commonplace on farms linked to major supermarkets
The Guardian: Workers exploited at farms supplying UK supermarkets: report
October 15, 2019
Demand for natural resources for the Belgian energy transition
Belgium is facing an urgent energy transition to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. This energy transition requires an increasing level of exploitation of natural resources for the construction of wind turbines, solar panels and batteries for electric cars. This study of VITO and Profundo looks into the scarcity and production level of lithium, cobalt, boron, cadmium, indium, gallium, selenium, tellurium and silver. The study also analyses the social and environmental impact of the mining of these minerals.
October 1, 2019
Fair Finance Guide India
Using the methodology developed by Profundo together with the civil society organisations collaborating in the Fair Finance Guide International network, the Indian Fair Finance Guide coalition assessed and ranked the responsible credit and investment policies of the main Indian banks for the first time. Profundo provided training and advice to support their assessment.
Fair Finance Guide India is part of Fair Finance Asia, a regional network of Asian civil society organizations that is committed to ensuring that the business decisions and funding strategies of financial institutions in the region respect the social and
environmental well-being of the communities in which they operate.
Seven countries within the region are a part of the FFA: Cambodia, Japan, India, Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Want to learn about Fair Finance Guide? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/zdks3jqmvuw
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