The EU’s landmark law, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at preventing commodities from contributing to deforestation, has faced significant backlash, culminating in a proposed one-year delay in its implementation. The regulation, a key part of the EU’s Green Deal, requires companies importing commodities like soy, cocoa, and palm oil to prove they are deforestation-free.
The European Commission initially showed no intention to delay the law, but on October 2, it announced a postponement, citing the need for companies and countries to better prepare. This sudden reversal has triggered outrage and raised concerns about the EU’s commitment to addressing deforestation and climate change.
The EUDR, approved in June 2023, has been hailed as a pioneering piece of legislation with the potential to curb deforestation globally. It specifically targets agricultural production, which is the leading cause of forest clearing. Companies and countries such as Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, alongside major corporations like Ferrero and Nestlé, had already invested in preparations to meet the December 30 deadline.
However, the delay is seen as a win for opponents of the regulation, who have been pushing back against its implementation and may use this delay to attempt to weaken or dismantle it entirely.
EU Faces Backlash Over Delay in Landmark Deforestation Law, Raising Climate Concerns
The immediate consequences of this delay are alarming. Environmental NGOs, such as Earthsight, estimate that a 12-month postponement could lead to the destruction of 2,300 km² of forest, an area nearly the size of Luxembourg.
Each minute the law is delayed equates to more forest loss, with emissions during this period expected to be equivalent to those from 18 million cars. This setback poses a severe threat to global climate goals and intensifies concerns about the EU’s commitment to protecting nature in the face of industry pressure.
The delay can partly be attributed to the EU’s own missteps. The European Commission was slow in providing clear guidelines for businesses to comply with the regulation, creating confusion and allowing critics to capitalize on this uncertainty.
Additionally, the EU has not sufficiently engaged with countries most affected by the law, leaving them without the necessary support to adapt to the new requirements. The EU must intensify efforts to collaborate with these nations, particularly local communities and small-scale farmers, to ensure that the regulation is implemented fairly and effectively.
To protect the EUDR and the forests it seeks to safeguard, the EU must resist further delays and any attempts to weaken the regulation. With wildfires and deforestation continuing to devastate ecosystems like the Amazon, the stakes are incredibly high. The European Parliament and member states must vote against the postponement and reaffirm their commitment to addressing the urgent climate and biodiversity crises.
