New paper by CDE scientists shows:đłThe EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) introduces strict due diligence and traceability requirements.
â ď¸ But costs may fall unevenly on producers.
đ Data monetisation could help to offset compliance costs, but needs strong data protection.
Read the paper đ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934126000146?dgcid=author
#EUDR #DeforestationRegulation #Deforestation #DataProtection
From Dec. 30, 2026, companies importing many products into the EU must comply with the EUDR (deforestation-free regulation). Satellite and remote-sensing maps are expected to guide compliance and government checks.
But a new review finds most maps canât yet meet EUDR standards â risking over- or underestimating deforestation. A major gap: distinguishing forests from agroforestry systems used by smallholder cocoa, coffee and rubber farmers.
by John Cannon
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/researchers-find-concerning-gaps-in-global-maps-used-for-eudr-compliance/
A recent scientific review of forest maps used to ensure compliance with the European Unionâs Regulation on Deforestation-free products, known as the EUDR, suggests that most may over- or underestimate forest areas, which could lead to inaccurate assessments of deforestation risk. The authors write that those inconsistencies point to the need for EU companies to [âŚ]
Thousands of hectares of forest will be lost forever, after the EU again delays action
The EU Commission, national authorities + companies now need to make sure the anti-deforestation law is implemented by end 2026 to break the link between EU consumption and deforestation once and for all
#EUDR
https://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/issues/nature-food/47841/commission-must-implement-eu-anti-deforestation-law-by-end-2026-to-preserve-credibility/
MEPs voted to delay and weaken the EU deforestation regulation, a 2023 law that ensures products sold in the EU do not cause the destruction of forests or the violation of human rights.
Finance giants fuel $8.9 trillion deforestation economy
Global Canopyâs Forest 500 report reveals that 150 of the worldâs largest financial institutions invested nearly $9 trillion in deforestation-linked industries during 2024, with six out of ten firms lacking any public deforestation policies. The analysis tracked $8.9 trillion in direct and indirect financial support for 500 companies exposed to forest-risk commodities including palm oil, soy, beef, cocoa, and timber, with $864 billion going to businesses making no public commitments against deforestation. Financial titans Vanguard, BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase alone accounted for more than one-fifth of total funding at $1.6 trillion. The EUâs upcoming Deforestation Regulation #EUDR will ban imports of products linked to forest destruction from December 30, potentially locking out companies without robust policies. Urgent action needed to redirect finance away from forest destruction and toward Indigenous-led forest protection. Support a strong and strict EUDR to safeguard forests, be vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
đ°â ď¸ $8.9 TRILLION funds deforestation! BlackRock, Vanguard, JPMorgan lead with $1.6T funding #palmoil, #soy and #meat #deforestation đ´đĽ Support the #EUDR ban Dec 30 âď¸ #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/12/17/finance-giants-fuel-8-9-trillion-deforestation-economy/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterSustainable Times. (2024). Global finance giants under fire for fueling an $8.9 trillion âdeforestation economyâ in 2024. Sustainable Times. https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/global-finance-giants-under-fire-for-fueling-an-8-9-trillion-deforestation-economy-in-2024
The worldâs largest financial institutions Vanguard, BlackRock, and JPMorgan Chase are bankrolling a massive $8.9 trillion deforestation economy whilst offering minimal safeguards against forest destruction, according to explosive new research that exposes the banking sectorâs complicity in global environmental destruction.
Global Canopyâs comprehensive Forest 500 report tracked investments from 150 of the planetâs biggest financial institutions throughout 2024, revealing systematic funding of industries driving tropical rainforest annihilation across palm oil, soy, beef and timber sectors. The scale of financial exposure proves staggering, with institutions providing $8.9 trillion in direct and indirect support for 500 companies engaged in forest-risk commodities.
The research exposed catastrophic policy failures across the financial sector. Six out of ten institutions reviewed maintain no publicly stated deforestation policies whatsoever, representing only marginal improvement from the previous year when two-thirds lacked such protections. Even more alarming, fewer than four in ten financial giants openly acknowledge that deforestation poses business risks to their portfolios.
Three financial behemoths dominate the destruction economy. Vanguard, BlackRock, and JPMorgan Chase âalone were responsible for more than one-fifth of the totalâ funding, collectively channelling $1.6 trillion toward forest-risk industries. Their enormous market influence means policy changes from these titans âcould trigger rapid change across the global financial system,â according to Global Canopy analysts.
The geographic concentration of destruction finance reveals systematic patterns. Beyond the United States, âChina and France also emerged as central hubs of financial flows into deforestation-linked industries.â This concentration demonstrates how relatively few financial centres drive global forest destruction through investment decisions.
Perhaps most damning, nearly $864 billion flowed directly to companies making zero public commitments against deforestation. This represents âalmost one in every ten dollarsâ of total financing going to businesses with no safeguards protecting tropical forests from destruction for palm oil plantations, cattle ranches, or soy cultivation.
Global Canopy researchers emphasised the sectorâs transformative potential, stating: âUnless financial institutions engage portfolio companies to act on deforestation risk â for instance, through strong stewardship of investee companies â their financing activities will undermine the positive impact of any transition finance they provide.â However, they noted these âfinancial heavyweights could use their investment strategies to drive better practice and transform commodity supply chains for the better.â
The European Unionâs new Deforestation Regulation dramatically increases pressure on financial institutions to implement robust policies. Beginning December 30, the EU âwill ban large businesses from importing beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, natural rubber, soy, or wood if these products are linked to deforestation.â The ban will eventually extend to smaller businesses, creating comprehensive market exclusions for forest-destructive products.
This regulatory shift creates urgent risks for financial institutions backing non-compliant companies. âWithout robust policies, they will find themselves backing companies that are locked out of key markets,â the report warns. Financial institutions face the prospect of massive portfolio devaluations as their investee companies lose access to lucrative European markets.
A handful of progressive institutions demonstrate viable alternatives. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Deutsche Bank, and Lloyds Banking Group represent âthe only institutions shown to be screening and monitoring all the highest-risk commodities.â Their comprehensive approaches âprovide a blueprint for others to followâ in developing effective deforestation policies.
Global Canopy outlined essential components for credible deforestation policies extending âwell beyond a vague pledge.â Effective policies require âclear standards for screening clients and portfolio holdings, active engagement to bring non-compliant firms into line, and strict deadlines for divestment if companies fail to improve.â Additionally, institutions must maintain âtransparent reporting of progress and commitments to human rights safeguards.â
The analysis examined nine critical forest-risk commodities: âbeef, cocoa, coffee, leather, palm oil, pulp and paper, soy, rubber, and timber.â Each sector drives habitat destruction threatening wildlife populations whilst displacing Indigenous communities dependent on intact forests for survival.
The report concludes that financial institutions possess âimmense influence over whether deforestation is curbed or allowed to spiral further out of control.â Current investment patterns tell âa troubling story, but with the right commitments, banks and investment firms could become powerful drivers of changeâ toward forest protection rather than destruction.
Sustainable Times. (2024). Global finance giants under fire for fueling an $8.9 trillion âdeforestation economyâ in 2024. Sustainable Times. https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/global-finance-giants-under-fire-for-fueling-an-8-9-trillion-deforestation-economy-in-2024
ENDS
Read more about deforestation and ecocide in the palm oil industry
Finance giants fuel $8.9 trillion deforestation economy
Forest 500 report shows 150 of the worldâs largest financial institutions invested nearly $9 trillion in deforestation-linked industries. Support EUDR!
Saolas are rare and considered Southeast Asiaâs âunicornsâ, this Critically Endangered antelope is facing imminent extinction due to hunting and deforestation
Songbirds Socialise Mid-Flight During Migration
Songbirds communicate with different species during nocturnal flights sharing vital info about navigation and stopover habitats. Save their fascinating world!
Pangolins get their name from the Malay âpenggulingâ meaning rolling up. These special critically endangered animals deserve a break from savage poaching
Tucuxi, small freshwater dolphins of Peru Ecuador Colombia and Brazil are Endangered due to fishing nets, deforestation, mercury poisoning from gold mining.
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đ°â ď¸ $8.9 TRILLION funds deforestation! BlackRock, Vanguard, JPMorgan lead with $1.6T funding #palmoil, #soy and #meat #deforestation đ´đĽ Support the #EUDR ban Dec 30 âď¸ #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
CDE, University of Bern
Deutsche Umwelthilfe
Palm Oil Detectives
Mongabay
Giuseppe Zolli
GREUBE HUMAINE
Palm Oil Detectives
Maria