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Projects
: Field research

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.

When you are looking for a specific report, we recommend to go to our Portfolio page.

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.

March 2019

March 20, 2019
Banking on Climate Change
This report reveals that 33 global banks have provided $1.9 trillion to fossil fuel companies since the adoption of the Paris climate accord at the end of 2015. The amount of financing has risen in each of the past two years.

Rainforest Action Network

BankTrack

Report: Banking on Climate Change

BankTrack: Report finds global banks poured $1.9 trillion into fossil fuel financing since the Paris Agreement was adopted, with financing on the rise each year

Clean Technica: Banks Funneled $1.9 Trillion Into Fossil Fuels Since Paris Agreement

Digital Journal: Funding fossil fuels is 'cash cow' for Canada's major banks

El Périodoco de la Energia: Santander y BBVA, entre los 33 bancos ‘más sucios’ del mundo: suman más de 27.000 millones de inversión en compañías de combustibles fósiles desde 2016

Fast Company: Banks pumped $1.9 trillion into fossil fuels since the Paris climate deal

Financial Times: The week in energy: The Exxon Valdez spill 30 years on

Finews: Climate Change: Greenpeace Targets UBS and Credit Suisse

Global Capital: Green drive dwarfed by lenders $1.9tr fossil fuel financing

Global Capital: Green drive dwarfed by lenders $1.9tr fossil fuel financing

Green Tech Media: Report: Banks Have Invested $1.9 Trillion in Fossil Fuels Since 2015

High Country News: Can the tools of capitalism curb climate change?

Novethic: [Infographie] Depuis La Cop21, Les Grandes Banques Françaises Ont Encore Investi 124 Milliards D’euros Dans Les Énergies Fossiles

OECD: Tracking finance flows towards assessing their consistency with climate objectives

S&P Global: Banks' fossil fuel funding rises, environmental groups warn

Sierra: Is Your Bank Financing Climate Catastrophe?

Swiss Info: Banks accused of massive fossil fuel investments

Taz: Olaf Scholz, helfen Sie der Arktis

The Energy Mix: ‘Alarming’ Report Shows $1.9 Trillion In New Fossil Investment Since Paris Accord

The Guardian: 'Coal is on the way out': study finds fossil fuel now pricier than solar or wind

The Guardian: UK environmentalists target Barclays in fossil fuels campaign

The Guardian: UK environmentalists target Barclays in fossil fuels campaign

The Young Turks: Does The Green New Deal Go Far Enough?

Think Progress: The stunning hypocrisy of JP Morgan and CEO Jamie Dimon on climate change

US News: Global Banks Have Reversed Course on Climate Change Since Paris

February 2019

February 15, 2019
Environmental, social and economic sustainability of European eel management
Research for PECH Committee: The diversity of detrimental factors impacting the European eel and the number of involved stakeholders pose a challenge for an effective stock management. Knowledge on the economic consequences of single management measures is required to better assess their implications for the involved sectors.

European Parliament

Report: European Parliament: Environmental, social and economic sustainability of European eel management

Research4Committees: Environmental, social and economic sustainability of European eel management

February 15, 2019
Environmental, social and economic sustainability of European eel management
Research for PECH Committee: The diversity of detrimental factors impacting the European eel and the number of involved stakeholders pose a challenge for an effective stock management. Knowledge on the economic consequences of single management measures is required to better assess their implications for the involved sectors.

European Parliament

November 2018

November 1, 2018
Study of labour compliance in RSPO certified oil palm plantations in Indonesia
This report presents the findings of a study on the level of labour compliance in RSPO certified management units in Indonesia. Recently many NGOs and trade unions are uncovering violations of core labour and human right principles by major palm oil companies. This has increasingly put labour and living conditions of workers on the agenda of key institutions like the Roundtable for Responsible Palm Oil (RSPO).

RSPO

Report: RSPO: Study of labour compliance in RSPO certified oil palm plantations in Indonesia

October 2018

October 9, 2018
Assessing the response of Dutch banks to severe human rights abuses in the extractive industry
Operations of the extractive industry are often characterised by severe human rights risks and abuses/violations. This report lists which banks have extended loans to five companies that caused or contributed to severe human rights abuses. The selected cases show a lack of progress in mitigating the negative impact and in providing remedy to the victims. As long as no remedy has been provided, the FBG will consider these cases as ongoing cases.

Fair Finance Guide Netherlands

PAX

Amnesty International Netherlands

Report: Fair Bank Guide Netherlands: Assessing the response of Dutch banks to severe human rights abuses in the extractive industry

September 2018

September 12, 2018
ESG Lessons from Palm Oil for Soy Supply Chain Investors
Approximately 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions comes from deforestation. Palm oil and soybeans are two of the four main crops driving deforestation, next to other environmental and social problems. Investor awareness regarding the material risks emerging in the palm oil sector has grown, but soyrelated risks are not yet widely recognised. This paper aims to compare the two supply chains and draw lessons for investors in dealing with companies in the soy supply chain.

Chain Reaction Research

Report: Chain Reaction Research: ESG Lessons from Palm Oil for Soy Supply Chain Investors

Chain Reaction Research: ESG Lessons from Palm Oil for Soy Supply Chain Investors

September 11, 2018
Complicity in Destruction: How northern consumers and financiers sustain the assault on the Brazilian amazon and its peoples
Profundo identified financial and downstream supply chain relationships of a set of Brazilian ruralistas. Ruralistas are Brazil’s dominant political bloc and their members represent diverse lobbies within the agroindustrial sector. The highly conservative politics and bold agenda that characterizes the ruralista bloc undercuts the Brazilian government’s environmental stewardship policies and its former respect for land rights, with grave consequences for the Amazon rainforest and forest peoples.

Amazon Watch

Report: Amazon Watch: Complicity in Destruction: How northern consumers and financiers sustain the assault on the Brazilian amazon and its peoples

Amazon Watch: Brazilian Legislators Break Law, Attack Amazon, Trade Freely with World: Report

GGN Jornal (Brasil): Ruralistas que disputam eleições são acusados de crimes pela Amazon Watch

Globonews Cidades e Soluções (Brasil): O mundo de olho nas eleições do Brasil

Mongabay: Brazilian legislators break law, attack Amazon, trade freely with world: report

New York Times: The Amazon on the Brink

June 2018

June 27, 2018
Doing Business with the Occupation
In anticipation of the UN database on business enterprises involved in the Israeli settlement enterprise, this report identifies direct and indirect links between European businesses and selected economic sectors in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. These settlements are illegal under international law.

11.11.11

Report: 11.11.11.: Doing Business with the Occupation

11.11.11.: New report exposes financial relationships between Europe and illegal Israeli settlements

CNCD: Colonisation Israélienne: Des Entreprises Belges Impliquées.

June 26, 2018
Land Governance in the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement on international responsible business conduct regarding human rights
How can banks improve their identification and management of land governance risks, created by the companies they are financing? In this report, we analysed the normative framework around land governance; the application of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to a broader group of local (not necessarily indigenous) communities; and the present ESG risk management practices of Dutch banks. The recommendations for improving risk identification and management are relevant for all banks that strive to avoid becoming involved in landgrabbing practices.

LANDdialogue

Report: LANDdialogue: Land Governance in the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement on international responsible business conduct regarding human rights

December 2017

December 22, 2017
Deforestation in Brazilian Soy Supply Chain
This paper explores the existence and extent of market access risk and financial consequences in the soy supply chain due to weak sustainability performance. With pressure on commodity traders increasing to adopt and strengthen zero-deforestation, also soy producers involved in legal deforestation face increasing market access risk.

Chain Reaction Research

Report: Chain Reaction Research: Deforestation in Brazilian Soy Supply Chain: Market Access Risk from a Growing Share of Sourcing Commitments

Chain reaction Research: Deforestation in Brazilian Soy Supply Chain: Market Access Risk from a Growing Share of Sourcing Commitments

December 6, 2017
Fair Bank Guide Netherlands: Transparency and Accountability on the Loan Portfolio of Dutch Banks
The objective of the research is to assess the level of transparency of Dutch banking groups about their contribution to the development of a sustainable society, and to encourage them to become more transparent, now and in the future.

Fair Finance Guide Netherlands

Report: Fair Bank Guide Netherlands: Transparency and Accountability on the Loan Portfolio of Dutch Banks

December 14, 2017
Fair Bank Guide Netherlands: Dutch banks finance importers of granite
The aim of this research is to show which Dutch banks are involved in the financing of Dutch importers of granite. The results of the research project are presented to the banks, and they will be used to support the realization of the ICSR covenant on natural stone.

Fair Finance Guide Netherlands

FNV

November 2017

November 17, 2017
Shipbreaking in South Asia
Factsheet on local stakeholders, needs and potential intervention areas

FNV

Report: FNV Mondiaal: Shipbreaking in South Asia

November 8, 2017
Fair Finance Guide Norway - 1st update
Using the methodology developed by Profundo together with the civil society organisations collaborating in the Fair Finance Guide International network, the Norwegian Fair Finance Guide coalition assessed and ranked the responsible credit and investment policies of the main Norwegian banks for the second time. Profundo provided training and advice to support their assessment. Want to learn about Fair Finance Guide? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/zdks3jqmvuw

Fair Finance Guide Norway

Website: Etisk Bank Guide Norge

Framtiden i våre hender (Norway): DNB går frem, to sparebanker på bunn i Etisk Bankguide

November 16, 2017
Fair Finance Guide Sweden - 3rd update
Using the methodology developed by Profundo together with the civil society organisations collaborating in the Fair Finance Guide International network, the Swedish Fair Finance Guide coalition assessed and ranked the responsible credit and investment policies of the main Swedish banks for the fourth time. Profundo provided training and advice to support their assessment. Want to learn about Fair Finance Guide? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/zdks3jqmvuw

Amnesty International Sweden

Diakonia

Fair Action

Naturskyddsforeningen

Sveriges Konsumenter

Website: Fair Finance Guide Sverige

Fair Finance Guide Sverige: Swedbank bäst på hållbarhet bland storbankerna – klättrar förbi SEB

Fair Finance Guide Sverige: Världens största investerare pressar palmoljebankerna

November 1, 2017
NDPE Sourcing Policies Cover 74 Percent of Southeast Asia’s Refining Capacity
The palm oil industry’s transformation towards sustainability gained traction in 2013 when major Southeast Asian palm oil traders/refiners began to embrace ‘No Deforestation No Peat No Exploitation’ (NDPE) sourcing policies. Through such policies, these firms require their suppliers to refrain from clearing forests and peatlands for new oil palm plantations. However, unsustainable practices continue to take place.

Chain Reaction Research

Report: Chain Reaction Research: Unsustainable Palm Oil Faces Increasing Market Access Risks: NDPE Sourcing Policies Cover 74 Percent of Southeast Asia’s Refining Capacity

Chain Reaction Research: The Chain: Hayel Saeed Anam Group Sells Deforestation-Linked Palm Oil into Corporate Supply Chains

Chain Reaction Research: Unsustainable Palm Oil Faces Increasing Market Access Risks: NDPE Sourcing Policies Cover 74 Percent of Southeast Asia’s Refining Capacity

Ethical Corporation: Paul Polman: ‘I feel like it’s my first day at Unilever, and there is a lot to do’

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