Deal #4520

São Tomé locals have faced environmental degradation and food insecurity due to the destruction of forests and coconut trees.

Community members protested in 2013 due to company clearing virgin forests. Since its establishment in 2009, the project has faced opposition from local communities. On the island of Príncipe, residents successfully resisted the expansion of oil palm plantations to protect their forests. However, on the island of São Tomé, the project advanced, resulting in widespread deforestation and a reduction in essential food resources, such as coconuts, which are vital for local sustenance. As land was cleared for palm oil cultivation, community members expressed concerns about losing traditional lands and biodiversity. In response to these grievances, residents organized protests and pursued legal action to halt Agripalma's activities. In 2017, a significant court ruling imposed restrictions on Agripalma's operations near protected areas. The ruling mandated that the company establish buffer zones around rivers and prohibited deforestation in certain critical areas. This decision was seen as a victory for community activists advocating for environmental protection. Despite these legal challenges for Agripalma, ongoing tensions highlight broader issues related to land rights, environmental degradation, and the struggle between industrial agriculture and local livelihoods.

São Tomé locals have faced environmental degradation and food insecurity due to the destruction of forests and coconut trees.