Many countries around the world have made significant efforts over the past decade to reduce deforestation, for example by introducing moratoria or measures to improve transparency in the supply chain, yet deforestation and forest degradation continue at an alarming rate contributing more than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The EU is committed to fostering inclusive partnerships with producing countries to address deforestation on a global scale and to continue working with partner countries and companies for a successful transition to deforestation-free supply chains.
To ensure an effective implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation, the European Commission is supported in its work by the following tools:
Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Protecting and Restoring the World’s Forests
- Continuous dialogue between EU Member States, selected interested parties (mainly trade and business associations and NGOs), third countries and the European Commission
- The platform meets frequently to present and discuss the main strands of work and identify best practices
Agendas, presentations and summary records of the meetings of the Platform
(In the Register, select the “Meetings” tab)
EU observatory on deforestation and forest degradation
- Building on existing monitoring tools (e.g. Copernicus and other publicly or privately available sources) the observatory will facilitate access to information on supply chains for businesses, public entities and consumers
- Publicly available maps and datasets on changes in the world’s forest cover and associated drivers
- Main components: global forest monitoring and production and trade of commodities
Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free Value Chains
Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the Initiative aims to support partner countries to transition to sustainable, deforestation-free, and legal agricultural value chains. Collaborative effort of European Commission and EU Member States including Germany, the Netherlands and France, with an initial package of €70 million in funding to implement the Initiative.
Main features:
- The Zero Deforestation Hub will disseminate information on deforestation-free value chains, manage knowledge, and coordinate existing and future EU and Member State projects aligned with the TEI's goals, enhancing alignment and efficiency.
- The Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Project is the is the most important pillar and operates in Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Zambia, with plans to expand to Vietnam and DRC in 2024, bolstered by additional Member State funding.
- The Technical Facility on Deforestation-free Value Chains will provide on-demand expertise to producing countries, focusing on technical aspects like geolocalization and traceability, especially for smallholders, ensuring coordination with EU Delegations and existing projects for synergy and efficiency.
Information System
The Information System is the IT system which will contain the due diligence statements submitted by operators and traders to comply with the requirements of the Regulation. Pilot Testing of the Information System will run till the end of January.
The Commission will provide a training environment and “train-the-trainers” sessions to all interested companies in the summer of 2024, in coordination with member states authorities. This will give all interested stakeholders the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the System well before the Regulation enters into application. The Commission will also then make available user manuals and other relevant self-learning material such as video tutorials.
