John,

Forests around the globe are under attack – not just from climate change but from the unsustainable production of commodities like palm oil, soy, and timber.

And while EU politicians take their sweet time to enforce a ban on deforestation-linked products – the UK hasn’t even started!

Now is our chance: With Labour pledging to end the nature emergency, there's never been a better time to push for a strong Deforestation-Free Products law. 

Tell the UK Government to allow only legal and ethical trade in forest commodities.

Statistics paint a grim picture – A study published in the leading journal Science says that between 90% and 99% of all deforestation in the tropics is driven directly or indirectly by agriculture. Deforestation not only accelerates climate change, but also disrupts the lives of millions of people who depend on forest ecosystems for their survival.

There is a deforestation law on the books under the Environment Act, passed in 2021. But it is yet to enter into force. And that law needs reform to protect the rights of forest communities.

The UK won’t have a strong Deforestation-Free Products law unless we all push for it, and keep pushing until we get it over the line.

Tell the UK Government to allow only legal and ethical trade in forest commodities.

For years we’ve been uplifting frontline forest defenders’ voices, holding mega-brands like Nestlé, Mondelez and PepsiCo to account, and demanding strong regulations to lock in our wins.

The UK was linked to the destruction of more than 30,650 hectares of forest globally in 2021 alone, according to Global Witness – an area almost three times the size of the city of Manchester. There’s no time to waste!