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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:

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.

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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

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.

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Explore

  1. 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 
  2. 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