About: imported deforestation
EU lawmakers to accelerate adoption of circular economy package
Legislative proposals on the circular economy are expected by the end of March, according to a two-day joint conference organised by the French EU Council, the EU Commission and the Economic and Social Committee (EESC). EURACTIV France reports.
Agriculture ministers stumped over details on deforestation-free imports
Member states are divided on the details of a proposal designed to prevent imports into Europe linked with deforestation, despite a concerted push from the French, who have placed the file as a top priority during its rotating EU presidency.
France aims for ‘a true ecological sovereignty for Europe’ at informal EU talks
Paris, which currently holds the six-month EU Council presidency, has highlighted the objective of achieving greater EU sovereignty on energy and environment as EU ministers dealing with these issues embark on a three-day informal meeting in Amiens. EURACTIV France reports.
France and Austria ask Brussels to develop EU plant-based protein strategy
French and Austrian agriculture ministers signed a joint declaration to strengthen the production of plant-based proteins such as soybeans, legumes, and oilseeds in the EU and increase "the EU's self-sufficiency". EURACTIV France reports.
European stores pull products linked to Brazil deforestation
Several European supermarket chains are dropping Brazilian beef products linked to destruction of the Amazon rainforest and tropical wetland, the US activist group Mighty Earth said on Thursday (16 December).
France to strongly back Commission’s deforestation proposal during EU presidency
France will back the European Commission in fighting deforestation and defending a "high" level of ambition when it takes on the French EU Council Presidency in January for six months, French Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie told EU agriculture ministers on 13 December.
France to link climate and economic goals during EU presidency stint
Promoting a new European growth model is one of the major focuses of France's EU Council presidency programme in the first half of 2022, President Emmanuel Macron has announced. The climate transition is not at the plan's core but it will be closely tied to Macron's economic ambitions.
Europe proposes mandatory due diligence to stop deforestation in supply chains
The European Commission tabled its plan on Wednesday (17 November) to introduce mandatory due diligence for products sold on the EU market to make sure they are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
Climate activist: Global North needs to step up at COP26 in order to stop deforestation
Deforestation in countries like Brazil is driven by demand for agricultural products in the Global North. That colonialist system has to change, argues Mitzi Jonelle Tan.
The global economy depends on forests – let’s act accordingly
The world's economy is currently a free rider on the vital services forests provide. This system needs to be replaced by investment into forest protection which sees trees as what they are - the natural infrastructure our economy is dependent on, argues Daniel J. Zarin.
Rich nations urged to take ‘holistic’ approach to forestry in trade deals
As world leaders head to Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit, campaigners have urged rich nations to take a holistic approach to forestry that considers the environmental and economic interests of communities in the Global South.
Leaked EU anti-deforestation law omits fragile grasslands and wetlands
The fragile Cerrado grasslands and the Pantanal wetlands, both under threat from soy and beef exploitation, have been excluded from a European Union draft anti-deforestation law, campaigners have said, and there are many other concerning loopholes. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Why Norway’s efforts to curb deforestation abroad is a PR stunt
Norway’s investment of billions in fighting overseas deforestation follows the West’s hypocritical relationship with climate change, once again shifting the blame on developing nations whilst diverting attention away from the West’s culpability in environmental destruction, writes Muhammed Magassy.
EU plans mix of mandatory and voluntary rules to tackle deforestation
The European Commission is planning to adopt a combination of mandatory and voluntary due diligence rules later this year to prevent global deforestation in its supply chains, marking a sharp turn away from its reliance on voluntary schemes.
On the EU’s plate every day: deforestation and natural destruction
The EU is responsible for 16% of ‘imported’ tropical deforestation, writes Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove. Will the new deforestation EU law live up to its promises?
Just 1% of businesses are taking strong action on deforestation: study
An analysis of the anti-deforestation work of 553 of the world's largest businesses has found that just 1% are taking 'best practice' action. This is despite the multi-billion-dollar risks associated with inaction, EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
A photo-op with Jair Bolsonaro, anyone?
The EU must understand that a promise in a trade deal is no substitute for a deforestation control policy – something that’s awfully lacking in Brazil under its far-right regime, writes Marcio Astrini.
Lawmakers call for green ‘due diligence’ in Europe’s supply chains
Lawmakers in the European Parliament passed a resolution to tackle environmental and human rights issues in the supply chains of EU businesses by 504 votes to 79 on Wednesday (10 March) ahead of the Commission’s proposal on corporate due diligence later this year.
The EU must not greenwash the future destruction of the Amazon
As the political divide over the Mercosur trade deal widens, its advocates argue that shelving it will damage the EU’s credibility. The opposite is true, writes Perrine Fournier.
The EU’s watershed deforestation moment?
This week Ursula von der Leyen signalled the EU’s desire to lead the world in the fight against global deforestation. But if the key drivers of deforestation aren’t addressed, progress will remain limited, writes Julia Christian.
Europe renews pledge to fight deforestation at Paris biodiversity summit
The importance of forests for biodiversity and the need to protect them to prevent future pandemics was emphasised by Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel at the One Planet Summit on Monday (11 January).
The EU’s imported deforestation problem – a closer look
Forestry policy was on the agenda for Europe's agriculture ministers on Monday, which made for a heated debate since Europeans are, through their lifestyles, contributing to massive deforestation worldwide. EURACTIV France reports.
Tackling tropical deforestation: The need for EU leadership
The EU's commitment to introduce mandatory due diligence standards on companies importing products linked to environmental damage and human rights abuses deserves praise, write Darragh Conway and Alison Hoare. It now must be followed through, they argue.