The Green Leap: Using regulation to combat deforestation

We are exploring the European Union’s bold initiative to tackle deforestation through the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Deforestation is a major contributor to land degradation, which refers to the deterioration in quality or loss of fertile land. The ongoing loss of fertile land can aggravate poverty and food insecurity.

This regulation aims to ensure that commodities entering the EU market are produced legally and sustainably, protecting forests. In Africa, the coffee and cocoa sectors are likely to be the most severely impacted, with Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana being the countries most affected.

As these countries adapt to the new regulations, they are developing innovative traceability systems to maintain their vital exports. They are also developing a register of farms to meet the due diligence requirements of the regulations.