Nature underpins our economy and its continued destruction and degradation poses economic and social risk. The way in which food is produced, sold and consumed on a global scale is a leading driver behind mass deforestation, and ultimately the climate crisis. Agriculture and the associated land use change is responsible for roughly 73% of forest loss in tropical and sub-tropical regions1 while also accounting for approximately 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation is also a contributor to the depletion of wildlife, the loss and degradation of habitat, imbalances in power dynamics in the food chain and local water scarcity and pollution issues. Businesses are key players in halting and reversing this trend.
Despite voluntary commitments by business leaders, deforestation is still deeply embedded in food supply chains. It is therefore time to change course before we lose the opportunity to protect our last remaining forests and ecosystems.
This means we need government to implement ambitious and robust legislation that makes is mandatory for businesses to identify and remove deforestation and conversion from supply chains as soon as is feasibly possible.
All businesses depend on the services provided by a resilient natural environment. Businesses must use their economic influence to demonstrate to governments the importance of sustainable and resilient supply chains.
