and deforestation-
free value chains for
people and planet
Photo Credit: GIZ/Nyani Quarmyne
The expansion of agricultural areas drives up to 90% of deforestation worldwide. This poses an imminent threat to our planet’s biodiversity, climate, and the well-being of communities worldwide.
Mission
ZERO
DEFORESTATION
The mission for a world with zero deforestation requires a transdisciplinary approach rooted in sustainability and equity. This vision becomes attainable when governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and local communities join forces.
Activities
There is no “silver bullet” to stop global deforestation but we consider these non-exhaustive activities as a feasible approach.
Given the global nature of deforestation, the European Union (EU) together with its partners aim to intensify the engagement with consumer and producer countries in an effort to jointly address the root causes of deforestation and safeguard the planet’s invaluable forests.
Commitment
Strengthen corporate commitments and implementation to minimise deforestation in agricultural value chains, e.g. through sustainability investments and proactive engagement with local stakeholders
Production
Develop and enforce policies to incentivise sustainable production and contribute to deforestation-free land-use planning, e.g. (SET AN EXAMPLE)
Land-use
Promote sustainable land-use practices, e.g. (SET AN EXAMPLE)
Research & Technology
Investing in research and technology, such as geolocation, as well as transparent and traceable value chains, e.g. (SET AN EXAMPLE)
Support Communities
Supporting Indigenous and local communities in their sustainable agricultural and forest management efforts, e.g. (SET AN EXAMPLE)
Team Europe Initiative´s Strategy
The Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free Value Chains is a joint effort by the EU and its Member States designed to support global ambitions on decoupling agricultural production from deforestation in partnership with various stakeholders in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The shared goal is to highlight solutions, facilitate dialogue and foster knowledge and coordination to co-create effective measures for a just transition towards deforestation-free and legal agricultural value chains.
Through activities and flagship projects, the EU and its Member States promote the inclusive and just transition of sustainable value chains, especially for smallholders and low-income countries. They do this by supporting partner governments create enabling framework conditions for corporate action to minimise deforestation, reduce risks in complex value chains and crowding-in private sector investments in sustainable agribusinesses. This initiative also supports smallholders with forest preservation and assists Indigenous peoples and local communities with protecting their rights.
This Hub for Deforestation-free Value Chains serves as a vital platform for improving outreach and coordination and disseminating knowledge to jointly tackle deforestation and forest degradation.
Overview of Projects
Click on the country to learn more about the flagship projects
Democratic Republic of Congo
Côte d’Ivoire
Ghana
Cameroon
Indonesia
Malaysia
Vietnam
Ecuador
Brazil
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Colombia
Bolivia
Argentina
Uruguay
Paraguay
Chile
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Thailand
Burundi
Cambodia
Liberia
Sierra Leone
Guinea
Kenya
Malawi
Tanzania
The positions of the southern and northern hemisphere are changed on this map to encourage a change in perspectives and to counteract potential biases in world views.
On the EU Deforestation Regulation
The EU is an important market for agricultural commodities with a deforestation risk. EU citizens no longer want to contribute to deforestation through their consumption, instead they want to be part of sustainable and transformative change.
As a contribution to the European Green Deal, the EU has adopted the new EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) that aims to minimise the Union’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, thereby contributing to a reduction in global deforestation.
The EUDR is a milestone in the fight against deforestation and forest degradation. It focuses on the value chains of the seven commodities that have the biggest impact: palm oil, beef, soy, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, and wood.
What smallholders need to know about the EUDR in 5 Minutes
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More InformationWhat policymakers need to know about the EUDR in 5 Minutes
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More Information
Operators established in the EU who place relevant products on the EU market will need to exercise strict due diligence to ensure that the products are:
Deforestation-free
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not produced on land that was degraded or deforested after 31 December 2020
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Legal
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produced in line with the relevant legislation of the country of production.
Promoting and enabling deforestation-free supply chains is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a more sustainable, equitable future.
