As demand for commodities, especially food, fuel and fibre, grows, we see more competition for land, including forested land, upon which millions depend directly for their livelihoods. With our historical insights into managing natural resources, Global Witness has identified how transparency can be improved within the decision-making process around large-scale land allocations. Management of land-related investments should be done with adequate consultation, recognition of land rights, labour and environmental safeguards and benefits for local communities.
As well as promoting these measures, Global Witness is carrying out research on how large-scale land investments are being implemented. We are gathering evidence of the negative impacts of large areas of arable and forested land being allocated for rubber and oil palm plantations in Liberia in West Africa and the Mekong region respectively.