Data for Nature: DEFT Pathway - enabling financial institutions to engage companies on deforestation

15 July 2024

?In this newsletter:

• Learn about Deforestation-free Transition (DEFT) Pathway announced at London Climate Action Week;
• Have a look at new Trase research detailing the deforestation exposure of the UK and the EU; and
• Preview our upcoming Forest 500 human rights briefing.

Deforestation-free Transition (DEFT) Pathway

Deforestation-free Transition (DEFT) Pathway was announced at London Climate Action Week to help financial institutions better engage with companies on deforestation. DEFT Pathway will categorise companies according to their level of progress on deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems, and highlight priority, timebound next actions, so financial institutions can make unified, concrete requirements on companies.?

Watch a video on the launch here or read our Executive Director Niki Mardas’ insight .

Read the insight

Register for our webinar: ?‘The human rights blindspot in deforestation action’ On 24 July, Forest 500 launches a new human rights briefing. We know that deforestation is intrinsically linked to human rights abuses. The agricultural expansion that drives over 90% of the destruction of tropical rainforests also impacts the 1.6 billion people who rely on these lands for their lives and livelihoods. Despite this, just 1% of the companies most exposed to deforestation have a policy that covers all of the human rights aspects that their commodities are exposed to.? The briefing is based on the findings of the tenth annual Forest 500 report . Register to attend the launch webinar taking place on Wednesday 24 July, 14:00-14:45 BST.

Register for the webinar

EU and UK exposure to deforestation New Trase analysis ?has found that EU imports of agricultural commodities continue to drive substantial global deforestation, with cocoa and oil palm the main culprits. The EU research, commissioned by Fern, reveals that between 2019 and 2021, the EU was exposed to 190,500 hectares (ha) of deforestation on average every year from its direct imports – an area more than ten times the size of Brussels.? There are also significant differences in exposure between EU countries, especially if we only consider direct trade to the first point of import. The Netherlands’ direct imports were associated with 69,500 ha of deforestation (on average between 2019 and 2021) – nearly triple the next highest, Spain (24,200 ha).?

Analysis of the UK tells a similar story. The UK’s average deforestation exposure in 2019–2021 was 15,200 hectares. In comparison to EU27 countries, the UK ranks sixth between France and Belgium. The research highlights the need for the new UK government to prioritise delivering legislation to tackle deforestation.

Best wishes,

Global Canopy