Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands

AI Summary

An analysis of corporate disclosures and trade flows links nickel mines in Indonesia’s Sulawesi region to deforestation affecting indigenous Tolaki lands. Volkswagen, Ford and Tesla are among the automakers whose battery supply chains may include nickel from the area, highlighting environmental risks in electric-vehicle production.

Mines in supply chains of western carmakers linked to widespread deforestation of primary rainforest in nickel-rich lands inhabited by Tolaki people in Indonesia Volkswagen, Ford and Tesla are among the electric carmakers whose batteries may contain nickel mined in indigenous woodlands plagued by deforestation, an analysis has found, highlighting the struggle to make vehicles that are free from environmental destruction. Corporate disclosures and trade flows from the last two years show mines in the battery supply chains of automotive giants are linked to the loss of trees in Sulawesi, a wildlife hotspot in Indonesia that houses the world’s largest nickel deposits. The metal is widely used in cathodes in car batteries because it boosts energy density and increases range. Continue reading...