Will Boycotts Drive Corporate Accountability and Protect West Papua's Indigenous People?

As demand for palm oil continues to soar across the globe, the impact on both the environment and Indigenous communities is undeniable. One region at the forefront of this struggle is West Papua, where communities are battling deforestation, displacement, and violations of their basic human rights.

There is a call for a boycott of KitKat, Smarties, Aero chocolate, Oreo biscuits, Ritz crackers, and cosmetic brands such as Pantene and Herbal Essences raised by more than 90 West Papuan tribes, political organisations and religious groups. [1]

Why this happened?

West Papua, home to one of the world’s largest rainforests, is experiencing escalating environmental degradation due to large-scale agricultural projects. This land is not only ecologically rich but also home to Indigenous communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods. For instance, the Tanah Merah project aims to establish palm oil plantations across 140,000 hectares.[2] These developments, according to reports, contribute to ecocide and the displacement of Indigenous peoples who have lived on these lands for centuries.[3] Over the past six decades, more than 500,000 West Papuans are believed to have been killed as a direct result of these ongoing issues.[4]

The call for a boycott stems from concerns over the environmental impact of palm oil production in the region. Large areas of rainforest are being cleared for agricultural purposes, which has led to widespread deforestation, land degradation, and the displacement of local communities.[5] Another significant concern is the loss of ancestral land, which is central to the cultural practices and survival of Indigenous communities in the region. They have expressed deep fears about how this land grab threatens their way of life and future.[6]

Will boycott help to push corporate accountability?

Boycotts have historically been effective in pushing companies to rethink their sourcing practices as it often forces brands to reassess their supply chains and, in some cases, make meaningful changes.[7]

However, for this boycott to truly lead to meaningful change, it needs to be part of a broader strategy that includes policy change, regulatory action, and equality across supply chain. Boycotts alone cannot address the root causes of deforestation, displacement, and the violation of Indigenous rights. These issues are deeply embedded within the global supply chain, and it will take more than just consumer action to shift corporate behaviour in a sustainable way. Thus, businesses need to have meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders to ensure their actions are aligned with the rights and interests of those most impacted when conducting human rights due diligence.

It is also crucial for the Indonesian government to enshrine Indigenous rights into law to provide clear protections. Despite over 20 years of initiatives, progress has been slow, and legal protections for Indigenous communities remain inadequate. Stronger regulations are essential—regulations that not only enforce environmental protections but also safeguard land rights for Indigenous peoples and mandate greater corporate transparency.

[1] https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/west-papua-indigene-bev%C3%B6lkerung-ruft-zum-boykott-von-nestl%C3%A9-und-mondel%C4%93z-produkten-auf-inkl-unternehmenskommentar/

[2] https://pusaka.or.id/en/documentations/the-awyu-tribe-fights-the-tanah-merah-project-companies-up-to-the-supreme-court/

[3] https://pusaka.or.id/en/documentations/the-awyu-tribe-fights-the-tanah-merah-project-companies-up-to-the-supreme-court/

[4] https://news.mongabay.com/2024/06/alleyesonpapua-goes-viral-to-highlight-threat-to-indigenous-forests-from-palm-oil/

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/20/west-papua-indonesia-palm-oil-deforestation-rainforest

[6] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/20/west-papua-indonesia-palm-oil-deforestation-rainforest

[7] https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/can-boycotts-show-path-corporate-accountability-837296