Recent Palm Oil Expansion in Cameroon

In March 2016 Greenpeace lead an investigation on Socfin's plantations in Cameroon and published a report titled “Africa’s forests under threat: Socfin’s plantations in Cameroon and Liberia”. The Société Financière des Caoutchoucs (Socfin), one of the leading oil palm and rubber tree plantation operators in Africa, plans to extend its plantations in a dozen countries, mostly African nations, threatening forests that are essential for the preservation of climate balances, biodiversity and the living conditions of local populations. Greenpeace conducted map-based analyses and in-depth field surveys on Socfin's concessions in Cameroon. The case study reveals that Socfin’s business and its refusal to adopt a zero deforestation policy represent a major threat for Cameroon's forests in which the company operates. Greenpeace urges Socfin to adopt immediately and implement a zero deforestation policy, applicable to all its businesses and subsidiaries.