Do you know what your pension's up to?

Kenneth Richter

26 April 2013

Like millions of people working in the UK I'm saving money for my retirement by paying into a pension fund.

I like to think I make ethical choices when I shop for food and clothes. But when it comes to my pension, I have next to no idea what my money is being invested in.

So I was shocked when I found out that pension funds are reportedly the largest investors in land grabs. Land grabbing is the rapidly increasing practice of companies buying up large amounts of agricultural land in poor countries, often under dubious circumstances.

Many of these land grabs ignore traditional land rights, generate conflicts and threaten the food security of affected communities. Reportedly US$5-15 billion have been invested in farmland acquisitions globally by pension funds.

Our video below shows John Muyisa from Kalangala, Uganda. John woke up one day to find bulldozers clearing his land to plant oil palms. John and his community have preserved their forests and lands for generations. Now their way of life is at risk.

So how do you know if your money is being used to finance land grabs?

Well, this information is often not publicly available, but the best way to find out is to ask your pension fund directly. Then help us decide next steps with our campaign, if you tell us what they say.

Please email your pension fund today and help end land grabbing.