The EUDR requires traceability of products to prove they weren’t produced on previously deforested land, and requires legality of production – including land rights, indigenous peoples’ rights and human rights, in accordance with the legal frameworks of the country of production. As well as reducing the EU’s carbon footprint, the regulation also addresses the social impacts of deforestation, such as the displacement of communities and the violation of indigenous peoples’ rights.
Understanding land rights is essential for grasping the broader implications of the EUDR. The regulation’s focus on combating deforestation and promoting sustainable value chains intersects with issues of land tenure and land use. In many regions, efforts to comply with the EUDR can have significant impacts on local communities and their land rights. For instance, measures to ensure deforestation-free commodities may involve changes in land use practices, land acquisitions, or restrictions on land access, all of which can affect the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. Therefore, a thorough comprehension of both topics is critical for fostering a more equitable and sustainable global economy.
This discussion paper on EUDR and Land Rights aims to subsidize the understanding of the relationship between land rights and EUDR compliance, with emphasis how the EUDR presents opportunities in advancing the land rights agenda in producing countries. It is based on interviews with stakeholders from Vietnam, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast and Brazil and on the experiences from German Development Cooperation.
