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Dirty Nickel Trail deforestation around the Hengjaya mine, Sulawesi. | Photo: ©Stefano Valentino
Environment, climate and science

From Indonesia’s hallowed forests to Volkswagen’s electric cars – A scrollytelling of the dirty nickel trail

Environment, climate and science

A year-long scroll storymap investigation powered by Esri traces Indonesian nickel from a biodiversity sanctuary and indigenous homeland, through Chinese factories, to the batteries powering Europe top automaker’s electric cars – and those of its rivals – exposing the hidden cost of the automotive industry’s green transition.

Published on 5 November 2026
Dirty Nickel Trail deforestation around the Hengjaya mine, Sulawesi. | Photo: ©Stefano Valentino

Scrollytelling by GeoSmart
👉 Read the full longform investigation.
Lorenzo Di Stasi and James Jackson contributed to this investigation.
Supported by Journalismfund Europe and the Pulitzer Center.
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