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Global Witness reveals that coltan from conflict-affected mines in the DRC is being smuggled into Rwanda, where it is laundered through traceability systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The report identifies seven Rwandan companies dominating these exports, which are then processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, potentially reaching major global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota.

Global Witness reports that conflict coltan from the DRC's Rubaya mines is being smuggled into Rwanda and laundered into global supply chains through failed due diligence systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The investigation identifies seven Rwandan companies responsible for 85% of exports, five of which are directly linked to conflict coltan. This material is processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, eventually reaching global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota via tantalum capacitors.

The report finds that major polyester producers in India and China have deepened their reliance on Russian oil, while most fashion brands have failed to sever these links or provide transparency regarding their supply chains. It argues that the industry's shift toward recycled polyester from PET bottles is a 'false solution' that fails to address microplastic pollution or the underlying fossil fuel dependency.

The report exposes how the used-clothing trade from the EU and UK to Kenya is used to export plastic waste, with an estimated 307 million synthetic items becoming waste annually in Kenya. It highlights the failure of sorting processes, the role of recycling companies in exporting unsellable clothing, and the resulting pollution of Kenyan landfills and waterways.

The report finds that the fashion industry remains heavily dependent on synthetic fibres, with 25% of analyzed brands increasing their use over the last five years. It highlights a systemic lack of supply chain transparency, an over-reliance on recycled polyester from PET bottles as a 'false solution', and a failure to set absolute Scope 3 emissions targets. While many brands express support for the EU Textile Strategy's regulatory measures, the report argues there is a significant gap between these public stances and actual corporate action.

The report exposes how major fashion brands continue to indirectly fund the Russian economy through their reliance on polyester produced by Reliance Industries and Hengli Group, both of which import Russian oil. It further highlights the industry's lack of transparency regarding synthetic supply chains and the risk of brands sourcing polyester made from coal or fracked gas.

The Changing Markets Foundation found that 78% of 50 investigated fashion brands are linked to Reliance Industries or Hengli Group, both of which source Russian oil for polyester production. This occurs despite many brands suspending operations in Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The report also highlights a lack of supply chain transparency and the risk of brands sourcing polyester from coal and fracked gas.

The report reveals that 39 out of 50 studied fashion brands are linked to Reliance Industries (India) and Hengli Group (China), both of which import Russian oil to produce polyester. Despite many brands suspending operations in Russia, their reliance on synthetic fibers continues to support the Russian economy. The investigation also highlights the use of other controversial fossil fuels, including coal-to-polyester projects and oil from Saudi Aramco, while noting a severe lack of transparency in synthetic supply chains, with 84% of responding brands providing limited information.

The report argues that Antarctic krill fishing is unsustainable, threatening a fragile ecosystem already stressed by climate change. It highlights how the industry, dominated by Aker BioMarine, uses greenwashing and problematic certifications like the MSC to justify its operations. An investigation reveals that krill-oil supplements are widely sold by the world's largest retailers and krill meal is extensively used in European salmon aquaculture, often without consumer-facing labels or retailer policies to exclude it.

The report 'Fossil Fashion' details how the fast-fashion industry is fundamentally dependent on cheap synthetic fibres, primarily polyester, which are derived from oil and gas. This reliance drives overconsumption and a waste crisis, as synthetic textiles are difficult to recycle and release toxic microfibres. The document highlights the role of the petrochemical industry in betting on plastic production for future growth and criticizes industry-led sustainability metrics and 'recycled polyester' from PET bottles as greenwashing. It concludes with recommendations for the EU to implement mandatory due diligence, eco-design measures, and taxes on virgin plastics to decouple fashion from fossil fuels.

The report details how the viscose industry in China, India, and Indonesia causes severe water and air pollution, leading to health crises like cancer and birth deformities in local communities. It identifies a lack of transparency in fashion supply chains and argues that a small group of dominant producers, pressured by major brands, could rapidly transition the industry toward closed-loop, non-toxic production systems.

The report details how the production of viscose, often marketed as an ecological alternative to cotton or synthetics, involves highly polluting chemical processes in China, India, and Indonesia. It documents the discharge of untreated wastewater into local water sources, leading to severe health issues such as cancer and congenital deformities, and the destruction of local ecosystems and traditional livelihoods. The investigation reveals that major global fashion brands, including H&M, Inditex (Zara), and ASOS, source their viscose from these polluting factories. The document argues that because a small group of 10 companies controls approximately 70% of global viscose production, large fashion brands have the purchasing power to force a transition toward closed-loop, less toxic production systems.

The report argues that the pharmaceutical industry is fueling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis through the unmonitored dumping of antibiotic-laden waste into the environment during the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It highlights a 'three-tier chain' where raw materials from China are processed in India and then sold to global markets. The document identifies specific polluting factories in China—including NCPC, CSPC/Inner Mongolia Changsheng, and Sinopharm—and links them to major companies such as Pfizer, Teva, and McKesson. It concludes that current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are insufficient because they lack environmental criteria, and calls for greater supply chain transparency and the integration of environmental protection into global pharmaceutical standards.

Global Witness reports that JBS, the world's largest beef company, continues to source cattle from ranches involved in illegal Amazon deforestation, land-grabbing, and slave labour, despite legal agreements and voluntary pledges. The investigation highlights a 'chain of deforestation complicity' involving Italian leather manufacturer Gruppo Mastrotto, UK supermarkets, and major global banks and credit rating agencies that provide the financial fuel for these operations. The report argues that voluntary due diligence has failed and calls for mandatory legislation in the UK, EU, and US to regulate both commodity imports and the financial sector.

The report by Mighty Earth alleges that Carrefour, as a leader in Brazilian retail, is linked to significant deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado. It highlights a heavy reliance on JBS for beef and Bunge for soy, both of which are identified as major drivers of deforestation. The report estimates Carrefour's potential responsibility for Amazon deforestation at 4.4% and documents specific links to illegal land clearing in indigenous territories.