Update on the investigation into ECOTRUST’s Trees for Global Benefits

In early 2024, the Swedish tabloid newspaper Aftonbladet published several articles containing serious allegations against the Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) carbon capture project run by ECOTRUST  in Uganda. Max Burgers has financed this project since 2009, so of course, we wanted to investigate the allegations ourselves. Our responsibility is not to defend the project, but to investigate the facts, acknowledge any failings and act on them. 

We initiated and analysed six evaluations and documents relating to the project, including a forensic investigation by EY. We have also reviewed two complaints submitted to the Swedish Media Ombudsman by individuals concerned in Uganda. We are now making the findings and the primary source documents fully public.

Executive summary: Three key findings 

Systemic failures – unfounded: The most serious allegations (child marriage, hunger and land theft caused by the project) were not substantiated by any of the evaluations, including interviews with the same individuals featured by Aftonbladet.   

Operational flaws – confirmed: The investigations confirmed legitimate operational issues that require immediate action. These include delayed payments to some farmers, the need for clearer contracts and better on-site agricultural advice.  

Many benefits with room for improvement: The evidence from farmers, Kikuube District Local Government and independent research indicates that the project provides tangible benefits, including diversified income and improved food security. It is a valuable programme on many levels, but it must be improved (see point above).  

 “Based on procedures performed, we have not identified observations that suggest that the most egregious claims in the Aftonbladet articles (e.g., starvation, increased poverty, etc.) are occurring as a result of the project. Based on responses from the representative sample of participants that we interviewed, food security and financial security increased due to the project.” – EY Forensic Investigation Report

MAX proposed actions

1. Keep improving payment systems: Endeavour for all payments to be made on time and investigate models for longer-term incentives (beyond 10 years) to prevent early tree  felling. 
2. Improve farmer support & contracts: Fund the development of enhanced on-site training and improve contract clarity.
3. Establish an independent grievance mechanism: Create a third-party grievance mechanism for farmers to report issues without fear of reprisal, with mandated response times. 

"After an extensive review, we are confident TGB delivers real systemic benefits. Operational challenges do exist, for example, with delayed payments and too little training, and we are committed to helping fix them." – Kaj Török, Chief Sustainability Officer, MAX Burgers

Documentation &  primary sources  

We believe in full transparency, so we are making the complete, unedited reports available for you to read and judge the evidence for yourself.  

 Reports commissioned by MAX  

1. Ernst & Young AB, EY Forensics Forensic Investigation Report (Independent investigation)  
2. ZeroMission, Literature Review of TGB Project  

 Other reports and evidence 

3. Interview with researcher Klara Fischer, who visited and spoke to the TGB farmers 
4. Kikuube District Local Government Monitoring Report   
5. ZeroMission findings from a research trip to Uganda  
6. ECOTRUST, Report on Service Delivery Initiatives under Trees for Global Benefit 
7. A complaint to the Swedish Ombudsman from Violet Mbabazi and Aikiza Wilson, two of the Ugandan interviewees 
8. The Media Ombudsman’s response to the complaint submitted by Violet Mbabazi and Aikiza Wilson
9. A complaint to the Swedish Media Ombudsman from Kisembo Proscovia at Ecotrust
10. The Media Ombudsman’s response to the complaint submitted by Kisembo Proscovia