According to the latest data report by IDH, Europe is still contributing to deforestation by purchasing tropical commodities that are not sustainably produced. 

Download the report

Governments, companies and other key stakeholders across value chains and in key producing regions agree that we must act rapidly to achieve 100% sustainable commodity production and market uptake. Doing so means going beyond small-scale interventions and making sustainability the norm.

What does that mean in practice?

In  producing countries, it means bolstering national legislations and enforcement capacity, the development of new business models that balance sustainable production and forest protection with real benefits to farmers and producers, jurisdictional approaches and conservation initiatives.

And in consumer markets, redefining sourcing mechanisms so sustainability is embedded in procurement, thus rewarding sustainability efforts of farmers, producers and governments in producing regions.

All together, we need to combine investments, sourcing, and knowledge from governments, companies, NGOs and bilateral partners in priority regions to deliver on our pledges.

We need to create real partnerships in these priority regions, with each partner taking his/her responsibility, complementing and strengthening one another.

IDH proposes nine key actions to reach impact at scale on deforestation-free and sustainable commodities. Explore them below and watch the video.

 

  • 1. Sourcing requirements

    Introduce sustainable sourcing requirements in public procurement for all commodities throughout the EU to drive market uptake growth towards 100%.

  • 2. Sourcing roadmaps

    Develop sustainable sourcing roadmaps for industry associations with clear and realistic targets working towards 100%, together with governments offering incentive packages like for the renewable energy transition, and NGOs supporting with knowledge.

  • 3. Mandatory reporting guidelines

    Adopt mandatory reporting guidelines for firms importing (and using) large commodity volumes to drive transparency and market-shifts.

  • 4. Sourcing regions

    Identify the key current and future sourcing regions, overlay these with the current and future deforestation hotspots, and agree to prioritize those regions for shared action between governments, farmers, companies, NGOs and donors.

  • 5. Traceability and direct linkages

    Enhance traceability and direct links between commitments in the market and priority regions transitioning to sustainable land-use, with clear incentives to farmers and governments, through establishing Verified Sourcing Areas (VSAs) in key sourcing locations.

  • 6. Mainstreaming sustainable production

    Increase investment in mainstreaming sustainable production, starting in the priority regions. This can be a combination of (inter)national public money and investment by supply chain companies and (impact) investors. By pooling efforts and resources, a real impact can be achieved, and example set.

  • 7. Sourcing from priority areas

    Mobilize European sourcing towards priority areas: pooling market demand for commodities from hotspots will cover most production and thus offer a real incentive and reward to mainstream sustainable production, protect forest and support farmers to increase and diversify their income.

  • 8. Establish G2G partnerships

    Establish G2G partnerships between European governments with governments in key producing regions to support capacity development and strengthen enforcement, land-use planning and a cadaster.

  • 9. Sustainable imports

    Work towards sustainable imports by markets outside Europe, by first facilitating mainstream sustainable production, not just for Europe, and secondly dialogue with those market governments to share lessons and explore how to achieve collaboration based on shared needs and different realities.

Step up the action!

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In the week of the Amsterdam Declaration Partnership Multi-Stakeholder Meeting this June, IDH will (co-)organize a series of events to discuss with the Amsterdam Declaration signatory countries, producing country governments and our partner organizations actions to move forward and drive solutions towards deforestation-free, sustainable commodities.

Find out more

Contact us for more information

  • Nienke Sleurink

    Program Manager Markets