[action ended] Stop EU-driven deforestation

Ban products linked to the destruction of forests and other ecosystems.

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Forests are indispensable for life on earth, they are our lifeline.

But every year, the destruction of the world’s forests increases. The EU alone is responsible for more than 10% of global deforestation, through its consumption of commodities such as beef, coffee, palm oil and soy used for animal feed.

Now the European Commission is planning a new EU law to stop this. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recognised that it is the EU’s “duty” to act. Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “We must make sure that the products we consume come from deforestation-free supply chains.”

The question is - will this law be effective? Will it stop harmful practices or just displace them from forests to other valuable ecosystems? Will it ensure the respect of human rights, and especially of Indigenous communities who are at the frontline of keeping forests standing? Will it encompass all actors responsible, including the financial sector?

We, Greens/EFA Members of the European Parliament are ready to do our part. But first we need a solid proposal from the Commission. And that is where you can help.

✉️ Send an email to Commission Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevičius and ask them to prepare a law that has teeth, and that doesn’t accidentally create new problems along the way.

Marie Toussaint (🇫🇷), Grace O'Sullivan (🇮🇪), Thomas Waitz (🇦🇹), Sara Matthieu (🇧🇪), Rosa D’Amato (🇮🇹), Sylwia Spurek (🇵🇱), Francisco Guerreiro (🇵🇹), Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg (🇩🇪), Ville Niinistö (🇫🇮), Margrete Auken (🇩🇰), Ernest Urtasun (🇪🇸), Pär Holmgren (🇸🇪), Bas Eickhout (🇳🇱)
Members of the European Parliament for the Greens/EFA

This is our draft email. 👇

To: Commission Vice-President Timmermans
Cc: Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius

Dear Commission Vice-President Timmermans,

It is great to hear the European Commission is preparing to end Europe’s complicity in the destruction of the world’s forests.

As a European, I want to be sure that neither my grocery shopping nor my savings account bankroll the destruction of nature or human rights abuses.

And so I am asking you that this law is effective and that it is complete. It should

• not rely on certification schemes but instead set binding sustainability standards that companies need to comply with when selling products on the EU market;
• not only consider impacts on natural forests but also on other ecosystems, so it doesn’t just push the destruction of nature from forests to savannahs, wetlands or grasslands;
• not only ensure the protection of nature but also respect for human rights, especially the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities to their land, territories and resources;
• not only concern companies placing a product or commodity on the EU market but also the financial organisations that support companies trading in those products with investments, loans or other services.
  Please, Mr Timmermans, will you do all you can to make this happen?

With my best wishes,

📷 Photo by Dale Nibbe on Unsplash