Swedwatch
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| Type | Non-profit, non-governmental organization |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Website | Swedwatch.org |
Swedwatch is an independent, non-profit organization reporting on business relations in developing countries. Swedwatch is an independent research organization whose task is to critically examine business relations with developing countries focusing on environmental and social concerns as per international human rights law and standards.
Reports in English
Available reports in English include:[3]
- A Lot of Gold, A Lot of Trouble 2012 June 20: Mineral Invest AB operation to explore and trade gold in the DR Congo
- Lost Revolution 2012 May 4: Low wages and long working hours of the garment workers in Bangladesh
- Out of focus November 2011: Digital camera companies in Vietnam
- An ugly exploration 2011 November 26: Oil and gas believed to be found in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia
- Riskanalys av glas, järn, betong och gips 2011.03.29
- Voices from DRC on conflict minerals 2010.10.13
- Lack of formal audits in Namibian uranium mine 2010.09.15
Soybean and deforestation in Brazil
About 20% of the rainforest in Brazil has already been destroyed.[4] The key reasons for ongoing deforestation in Brazil are soy bean cultivation and cattle raising. In 2002-2010 the land area of UK was added in the soybean cultivation. Soybean cultivation may not be a problem as such, but large monoculture areas and loss of rain forest may be in conflict with the local law and international agreements, add the use EU denied problematic chemicals, add climate change gases, and conflict with the rights of local peoples. Deforestation is fastest in Mato Grosso area, where soybean cultivation doubled in 1996-2006.[5]
Sweden imports annually 385,000 t soybean and 10,000 t beef from Brazil. Soybean is mainly used for animal feed in Sweden. The major soybean importers are Lantmännen and Svenska Foder via Norwegian company Denofa. The major beef importers are North Trade and Annerstedt Flodin. Control of the Swedish companies in the Brazil deforestation was not sufficient. Swedwatch recommends better control, public control reports that can be criticized, and. selection of partners based on certifications.[5]
Brazilian certification initiatives include ProTerra[6] restricting genetic modification, Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) accepting genetic modification (e.g. Maggi, Monsanto, Bunge, Cargill, Carrefour, Coop Schweiz, Unilever, Denofa and Swedish Lantmännen and Svensk mjölk and WWF), and Brazilian Certification.[5]
Swedish nuclear and Namibia uran
The import of uranium by
Gold in Congo
Swedwatch investigated at Mineral Invest AB business norms in
Risk analysis of glass, iron, and concrete in public housing
Risk analysis of glass, iron, concrete used in a public building in Stockholm.[10]
Criticism of Sweden’s carbon credits purchase
Sweden is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 million tonnes per year. Between 1990 and 2009 Sweden's emissions decreased slightly, but they increased again in 2010. In line with Swedish emissions targets, a third of the reduction will be achieved by purchasing carbon credits. About the hydropower project in northern India to buy carbon credits. The project is partly financed by a fund administered by the World Bank. There were numerous problems concerning health and safety, working conditions and migrant workers. Study highlights a lack of accountability, doubts about additionality and sustainable development.[11]
See also
- Finnwatch
- Germanwatch
- Worldwatch
References
- ^ A lost revolution? Empowered but trapped in poverty. Women in the garment industry in Bangladesh want more
- ^ The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
- ^ reports
- ^ Rio+20 Earth summit: Amazon deforestation – in pictures Guardian 14 June 2012
- ^ a b c Mer kött och soja, mindre regnskog Swedwatch 1.3.2010
- ^ The ProTerra Standard The ProTerra Foundation
- ^ Vattenfall brister i kontroll i Namibia Namibias uran bakom Svensk kärnkraft 13.9.2010 Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ SOMO: Center for Research on Multinational Companies.
- ^ A Lot of Gold, A Lot of Trouble 2012 June 20: Mineral Invest AB operation to explore and trade gold in the DR Congo
- ^ SOMO: Riskanalys av glas, järn, betong och gips 2011.03.29
- ^ Criticism of Sweden’s carbon credits purchase report summary: 2012.11.01, Full report
External links
- Finnwatch
- Norwatch[permanent dead link]
- DanWatch Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
