Background : The European Union (EU) has been actively working to address deforestation and promote sustainable forest management. Here is a summary of the EU’s efforts related to deforestation:
- EU Timber Regulation (EUTR): The EU implemented the EUTR in 2013, which prohibits the placement of illegally harvested timber and timber products on the EU market. It requires companies to conduct due diligence to ensure the legality of their timber supply chains.
- Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT): The EU has engaged in voluntary partnership agreements with timber-exporting countries to combat illegal logging and promote sustainable forest management. These agreements aim to ensure the legality and traceability of timber products imported into the EU.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The EU has committed to achieving the SDGs, including Goal 15, which focuses on protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, combating deforestation, and halting biodiversity loss.
- EU Action Plan on Deforestation and Forest Degradation: In 2019, the EU launched an action plan to tackle deforestation and promote sustainable supply chains for commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef, and cocoa. The plan includes measures like promoting sustainable production, supporting partnerships with producer countries, and enhancing transparency and traceability.
- Finally European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) : The EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) is the new EU initiative to limit deforestation caused by forestry and agricultural activities all over the world. The new regulation will see new mandatory due diligence requirements for EU businesses due in 2024, massively expanding upon the scope of, and eventually replacing, the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).
