'Unsustainable' UK consumption is placing 'enormous pressure' on the world's forests, according to a deforestation report, MPs warn.

'Unsustainable' UK consumption is placing 'enormous pressure' on the world's forests, according to a deforestation report, MPs warn.

According to a committee of MPs, the nation consumes more intensively than China, as indicated by its footprint per tonne of product consumed, and should "serve as a wake-up call to the government".

The UK's lust for commodities like soy, cocoa, palm oil, cattle, and leather is putting "enormous pressure" on the world's forests, which are the planet's lungs, according to MPs.

According to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) study, the nation's consumption intensity is higher than China's when evaluated by its footprint per tonne of product consumed.

EAC chair Philip Dunne stated that the UK's consumption is having a "unsustainable impact on the planet" and that this should "serve as a wake-up call to the government".

The committee made a number of suggestions and has now published a 66-page report on Britain's role in combating global deforestation, or the clearing or chopping down of forests.

It follows the announcement by ministers that four commodities—cocoa, palm oil, soy, and cow products (except from dairy)—must have "sustainable" certification in order to be marketed in UK markets. This legislation, introduced through the UK's Environmental Act, represents a pioneering approach, requiring businesses to ensure their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation.

The administration has not yet announced the date of the legislation's introduction, but it intends to progressively add more goods over time. This aligns with the forthcoming EU Deforestation Act, which aims to minimise the impact on global forests by mandating that companies importing commodities into the EU demonstrate they have not led to deforestation.

The committee also expressed worry that the phased approach and lack of a deadline do not adequately address the pressing need to address deforestation. The government was urged by the EAC to close these loopholes and fortify the current legal system to forbid companies from dealing in or utilising goods associated with deforestation.

"Forests sustain the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, host 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, and provide essential ecosystem services to support local and global economies," the committee added. "Deforestation threatens irreplaceable biodiverse habitats and contributes 11% of global carbon emissions."

It asked ministers to develop a global footprint indicator so that the impact of UK deforestation can be seen by the public and a target can be established to reduce it.

Concerns have been raised by the committee regarding the allocation of funds for deforestation, out of the ￡1.5 billion allocated for nature and climate projects. Ministers should provide greater clarification on this matter.

'Government needs to act now'

Alexandria Reid, from the non-governmental organisation Global Witness, said:

"The findings are clear, the UK will not reach net zero while British banks continue to fuel, and profit from, rampant deforestation of our climate-critical forests overseas.

"The government will miss the global deadline to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030 unless it acts now."

"The committee is right to highlight the many flaws in the government's plans to curb deforestation.

Said Clare Oxborrow, from Friends of the Earth

"Not least, the failure to include all high-risk commodities as part of its proposed new deforestation law, as well as the fact that it will only apply to illegal logging, which is notoriously difficult to determine."

The government's response

A government spokesperson said:

"The UK is leading the way globally with new legislation to tackle illegal deforestation to make sure we rid UK supply chains of products contributing to the destruction of these vital habitats.

"This legislation has already been introduced through the Environment Act and is just one of many measures to halt and reverse global forest loss.

"We are also investing in significant international programmes to restore forests, which have avoided over 410,000 hectares of deforestation to date alongside supporting new green finance streams."