Businesses and governments must stop the growing rush of commodities-driven land grabbing, which is “trashing” the environment and displacing people, says new research.
Palm oil and cobalt were extreme risks for land grabs according to an analysis of 170 commodities by research firm Verisk Maplecroft published last week. It also warned that, alongside cobalt, other minerals used for “clean” technology, including silicon, zinc, copper, were high risk and undermined the sector’s label.
The research showed that goods such as coconuts, garlic, tea and cocoa were also high risk for land grabbing.
In 2007, a world food price crisis led to a land rush as companies tried to secure production and costs. A UN report in September said commodity exports
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