Supplier of ‘Green’ Diesel Producer Tied to Amazon Deforestation

Speedy Summary

• Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), a U.S.-based renewable diesel producer, sources beef tallow from Brazilian slaughterhouses linked to illegal deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes.
• Investigations show connections between DGD’s supply chain and ranchers in Brazil fined for large-scale environmental destruction. One rancher cleared 12,000 American football fields-worth of Amazon forest.
• Deforestation attributed to biofuel production contributes to around 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with Brazil being a major hotspot.
• Despite claims that its processes reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels, DGD does not disclose measures ensuring tallow is sourced responsibly.
• The fasa group, owned by DGD’s parent company Darling Ingredients, processes byproducts from slaughterhouses associated with deforestation. Fasa subsidiaries reportedly supplied beef tallow linked to multiple scandalized suppliers between 2023-2024.
• The U.S. is the primary destination for Brazilian beef tallow exports (90% in 2024), which have surged significantly since Darling acquired Fasa Group in 2022 – increasing from 63,000 tons exported in 2022 to over triple that amount by early 2025.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The issue highlights broader environmental concerns surrounding renewable energy alternatives like biofuels. While touted as eco-friendly solutions for reducing carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels,the indirect impacts such as driving deforestation link these technologies back to harmful practices associated with climate change.India’s position as one of the largest global consumers of energy makes this pertinent on multiple fronts:

1. It raises questions about scrutinizing supply chains when importing or sourcing alternative fuels or raw materials used domestically – especially given India’s environmental commitments under COP agreements and National Green Hydrogen Mission goals aimed at cleaner energy transitions.
2. With notable afforestation targets already burdening domestic policymakers due to land pressure challenges tied directly into India urbanizing/ rural-movement labor…,replacing focus rooted similarly weak traceable export-import commodity “weak invasive floated commodity malpractice Here!: "Complete neutralityFACT then FIR. FORECAST-aligned highlighting key but hyper trends inside REMOVE loopholes-tax Rules +”+” Read more logic-click chain lo}”..”

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