The Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability (TREES) Act gives New York power to ensure that companies doing business with the state government aren’t contributing to tropical deforestation, which helps drive climate change. It passed both legislative houses this spring and now waits for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature. She vetoed a version of the bill last year.
“There really is a critical role for governments like New York to play in this. And New York can take a real meaningful first step here for the United States,” said Stephanie Cappa, director of policy and government affairs at World Wildlife Fund.
