Climate Changed
Europe Criticized for Not Doing Enough to Slow Deforestation
- Forest loss is continuing at an ‘alarming rate,’ IDH says
- Europe buys a fifth of soy and a third of timber sustainably
Deforestation in Borneo.
Photographer: Bay Ismoyo/AFP via Getty Images
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European companies aren’t doing enough to slow deforestation as they’re buying too much of commodities such as soybeans and palm oil from unsustainable sources, according to sustainable trade initiative IDH.
As forests shrink to produce timber and make space for crops like soy, cocoa and palm oil, that’s leaving fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. While European business has made some progress in tackling deforestation, it’s behind on targets for purchasing sustainably grown commodities, Netherlands-based IDH said in a report.