EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products: Recommendations for a Forest Positive Impact

In collaboration with IDH, we have proposed two compatible steps for modifying the EU regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), which could address unintended consequences and incentivise action to achieve deforestation-free products and forest restoration by sourcing companies and producer countries. We make the case that these aims will be most effectively achieved if done at sub-national jurisdictional level where local authorities, farming communities and commodity-buying companies are involved and aligned. This can deliver sustainable land management and more robust forest protection that covers all commodities irrespective of where they are consumed and where EU consumption can create market pull for more robust and faster action to achieve zero-deforestation.

We have also developed commodity-specific guidance for the cocoa sector with an Operational Guidance for Cocoa Producers and Importers and a complementary Reference Document that is more detailed and extensive, both avaialable in english, spanish and french.