News archive

Increasingly dangerous for environmentalists

A record number of people were killed to protect the environment and land in 2019. Indigenous peoples are particularly vulnerable.

Strong increase in fires despite fire bans

The number of fires in the Amazon has increased by 28% in July, compared to the same month last year. This is happening in spite of a 120-day fire ban that was introduced earlier in July at the request of international investors.

“She was like a mother to us”

“Her death has left the community without a mother,” says the grandchild of a Macuxi matriarch who died of Covid-19. The sudden void after the loss of elders is hard to fill.

The disease of deforestation

The more forests we destroy, the greater the chance of new pandemics.

World's largest meat producer accused of supporting illegal Amazon deforestation

The meat producer JBS uses the certification body DNV-GL to defend themselves against accusations of deforestation. DNV-GL deny that their reports acquit JBS.

Amazon forest fires: Brazil's government is finally feeling the heat

Brazil's failure to protect forests and indigenous rights is hurting the economy, investors and businesses warn.

New Amazon fires could eclipse last year’s inferno

Twice as much Brazilian rainforest could burn in the coming months compared to last year, scientists warn.

Gold rush can spark Covid-19 epidemic in the Yanomami territory

Illegal miners are rushing into the Yanomami territory and 40 percent of the people living near mine sites could get infected with Covid-19.

Pandemic surge in the Amazon

Fear is gripping Indigenous groups as Covid-19 is rapidly advancing to some of the most remote communities in the Amazon rainforest.

Covid-19 is hampering forest fire prevention in Indonesia

Local authorities in Indonesia are diverting funds from forest fire prevention to battle Covid-19. Now, conservationists fear a backlash for the protection of rainforests already in dire distress.

Opinion: RFN on Indonesia-Norway ten year partnership

Ten years ago: a historic day for Indonesia’s forests and forest-dependent communities.

Relief and apprehension as "Land grab law" is temporarily halted in Brazilian Congress

Bowing to massive protests from Brazilian civil society and intense international pressure, the Brazilian Congress this week decided not to submit the controversial "land grab law" to a vote.

Fears over "perfect storm" in the Amazon rainforest

Deforestation, forest fires and Covid-19 are all serious threats to vulnerable indigenous groups in the Amazon. The combination of all three is disastrous.

Brazilian Amazon: deforestation still out of control

Indigenous peoples spearhead innovative approaches to counter COVID-19.

Indigenous traditions and customs present strengths and weaknesses in the fight against the coronavirus. The pandemic has led the Indonesian Indigenous movement AMAN to develop innovative methods to fight it. Their integrated approach may well be a model for others.

Major Brazilian companies blacklisted by Norway’s Pension Fund due to human rights violations and environmental destruction.

Major Brazilian companies blacklisted by Norway’s Pension Fund due to human rights violations and environmental destruction.

Økt bruk av palmeoljediesel i 2019: Fallitterklæring for regjeringen

Nye tall viser at bruken av palmeoljediesel i Norge økte med over 20% i 2019. - En fallitterklæring for regjeringen og norsk biodrivstoffsatsing, sier Regnskogfondet.

2019 can not be the norm for rainforests

The year 2020 is destined to be extraordinary. But we can not return to business as usual after the corona crisis is over.

Grave fears that world’s largest palm oil project will cause massive destruction

Enormous emissions of greenhouse gases and the destruction of intact rainforest could be the result once the controversial construction of the largest palm oil plantation in the world gets underway

Fear of coronavirus causes withdrawal into forest

The fear of catching COVID-19 has led indigenous communities to retreat into the forest, to avoid any contact with society at large. The threat posed by coronavirus is adding to an already difficult situation for many rainforest inhabitants.