ethical stewardship
Stopping livestock-driven deforestation in Australia
We use our investor influence to challenge livestock-driven deforestation and back plant-based alternatives – aiming to reduce environmental harm and support more sustainable practices, particularly in Australia, which faces some of the greatest environmental challenges.
Addressing the commercial drivers
Our research suggests we need land to offset the emissions from agriculture as well as other hard to abate sectors. Our goals are:
Net zero deforestation in Australia
An increased % of land revegetated and protected
A reduction in animal protein production and consumption
Multiplying our influence
We leverage our connections to adjacent industries exposed to animal agriculture to influence change, including banks, food retailers, consumers and other investors.
We use all our stewardship tools, including collaborating with NGOs and using our public voice.
Backing better diets and land use
Livestock farming is a major driver of deforestation in Australia, harming wildlife and ecosystems1. We’re working to address these challenges by supporting solutions that restore ecosystems and promote biodiversity while encouraging others to rethink land use for a healthier planet and more resilient long-term returns.
Action we’ve taken
- NAB made progress on efforts to address illegal deforestation through enhancing its ESG due diligence processes and geospatial data capabilities in line with our recommendations.
- Coles disclosed an ambition to stop sourcing beef linked to deforestation for all the beef it directly sources, up to 85% of its own-branded product, by the end of 2025, in accordance with the Science-based Targets Initiative we have been pushing for.
- Woolworths raised significant questions about the implementation of its no deforestation commitment by failing to recognise Australian beef as high risk for deforestation, despite evidence that livestock farming is the major driver of deforestation in Australia2.
- Westpac resiled completely from its no deforestation commitment.
- Collective engagements with Woolworths and Coles helped put deforestation and protein diversification on the agenda.
- Westpac became the first Australian bank to make a public no deforestation commitment.
- Woolworths set a target to achieve no-deforestation across the value chain for its primary deforestation-linked commodities by the end of 2025, in line with our asks. The company also published a breakdown of Scope 3 emissions across its value chain – including emissions from forestry, land use and agriculture.
- We spotlighted Australia’s deforestation risks through the UN Race to Zero’s Financial Sector Deforestation Action initiative, leading Woolworths to commit to deforestation-free supply chains.
- We also supported engagements with a local bank and global meat processor, challenging suggestions Australia is low-risk for deforestation, and raised awareness via Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA) and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC).
We cannot take credit for all this work. We work with Australian and overseas investors, civil society organisations including Market Forces and the Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. All the wins we have had to date are attributable to pressure that has been applied from every direction.
Where we draw the line
We restrict+ investments in conventional animal agriculture companies (this includes organic and free-range production).
Why?
We assess the harm to animals and the disproportionately high environmental impact to be unnecessary when there are less impactful alternatives.
Explore
- The Wilderness Society, Drivers of deforestation and land clearing in Queensland (May 2025) https://wilderness.org.au/images/uploads/WEB_Drivers-of-Deforestation_2025-Report-V2.pdf
- The Wilderness Society, Drivers of deforestation and land clearing in Queensland (May 2025) https://wilderness.org.au/images/uploads/WEB_Drivers-of-Deforestation_2025-Report-V2.pdf