News and success stories
Stay in the loop with news of ongoing campaigns and successes in the fight against rainforest destruction.
© Stop EU Mercosur Coalition
450+ organizations join forces against EU-Mercosur agreement
The new Stop EU-Mercosur coalition is calling on political leaders to reject the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and put people and the planet before profit.
Recent successes
Current petitions
Confirmed: palm oil company destroys rainforest in Liberia
Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) is clearing richly biodiverse rainforest – this is the conclusion of a report by High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA), an industry organization.
Study: Indonesia's “Food Estates” drive hunger and environmental destruction
The new “Food Estate” programs announced for Indonesia will result in more hunger and threaten local people, regional forests and the global climate.
Satellite images debunk "sustainable palm oil" pledges
Rainforest destruction for palm oil remains a reality, as the analysis of satellite image data from Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
Rainforest Rescue speaks out against the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement
Today Rainforest Rescue presents 380,000 signatures against a free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries at the European Parliament's Petitions Committee.
Brutality against Sarawak villagers – Covid lockdown hinders assistance
Indigenous people often suffer violence at the hands of thugs working for oil palm plantations: Our Malaysian partner Matek Geram sent us a frightening video.
We will not be intimidated or silenced! – a declaration of solidarity
Rettet den Regenwald e.V. (Rainforest Rescue) is currently facing a lawsuit before the District Court of Hamburg, Germany.
Nigeria: “superhighway” project through the rainforest stopped!
One of the last rainforests in Nigeria will be spared a “superhighway”. Rainforest Rescue and local groups had campaigned against the project since 2016 – with success!
Austria bans palm oil biofuel
Good news for tropical rainforests: As of July 1, 2021, Austria will no longer be counting fuel containing palm oil toward its renewable energy targets.
Petition delivered – will Kinipan forest on Borneo be saved?
Save our Borneo has delivered our petition to indigenous leader Effendi Buhing, who will personally present it to Indonesian policymakers and business representatives.
Peruvian cocoa company ordered to restore rainforest
The cocoa company Tamshi SAC is threatening to sue Peru in an arbitration court after being ordered to close plantations that it cut into the rainforest.
Uganda’s Kafuga Forest is safe!
Tea plantation operators will not be allowed into Uganda's Kafuga Forest. A court has put a stop to destruction by plantations.
Mercosur free trade: European Parliament delivers a firm rebuke
European Parliament rejects free trade agreement with South American Mercosur countries for lack of protection for the climate, biodiversity and indigenous rights
Palm oil for Nestlé: more than 1,000 cases of deforestation per day
Nestlé has failed to keep its promise that the palm oil it uses will be free of deforestation and human rights abuses by 2020.
The dark side of Tesla: gigafactories need gigamines
The CEO of the electric car manufacturer Tesla is encouraging the global mining of nickel – around 32 kg are needed for the batteries of a single mid-range car.
Dominican Republic: activists prevent luxury resort in protected area
A coalition of environmental organizations in the Dominican Republic successfully prevented the construction of a luxury resort bordering Cotubanamá National Park.
EU-Mercosur free trade: fueling the (forest) fire
A free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur alliance is a threat to humans, nature and the climate. But it’s not too late to stop it.
Indigenous people behind bars, smooth sailing for palm oil industry
In Kinipan, Borneo, the police arrested six indigenous men, including their traditional leader Effendi Buhing, for protesting against land grabbing and deforestation.
Covid lockdown not stopping Matek’s conservation work
While the world focuses on Covid-19, nature is being left wide open to exploitation. Activists like Matek Geram are going the extra mile to protect the rainforests.
Coal road to slash through Sumatra’s protected Hutan Harapan forest
Indonesia has authorized a road through the protected Hutan Harapan forest. Transporting coal apparently takes priority over protecting nature and the climate.
Cameroon suspends logging plans in Ebo Forest!
Cameroon has put its decision to open Ebo Forest for logging on ice – local communities and wildlife can breathe easier – Rainforest Rescue’s petition remains active
Global Witness issues alarming report on human rights defenders killed in 2019
Human rights NGO Global Witness recorded the highest number of land and environmental activists murdered in a single year
Situation of western chimpanzees deteriorating dramatically
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, western chimpanzees are on a trajectory toward extinction unless drastic measures are taken immediately.
Rest in peace, Rainforest Rescue founder Reinhard Behrend
Reinhard Behrend passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020. The driving force behind Rainforest Rescue, he dedicated his life to the preservation of nature.
Global solidarity with communities, indigenous peoples and workers at risk from mining pandemic profiteers
A new analysis supported by over 300 organizations condemns the four main ways in which multinational mining companies are profiting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Papua's forests face an unparalleled assault
More than a quarter million hectares of forest are being clear-cut in Papua for the largest oil palm plantation in the world.
Chinese government recommends bear bile as coronavirus treatment
China’s government recommends injections of a traditional Chinese “medicine” containing bear bile as a treatment for COVID-19.
Protest kills tar sands mine!
A massive tar sands mine project in Canada has been abandoned.The project became unfeasible because of resistance against it and the debate about climate protection.