World’s richest countries fuelling deforestation beyond their borders

This article is part of our special report Europe’s forests at a crossroads. Can economic growth and conservation coexist?.

In a recent study published in the 'Nature' scientific journal, researchers found that 24 economically developed nations have caused significantly greater species range losses outside their borders than within them.

The research maps global hotspots of biodiversity loss, showing that wealthy nations often affect species in nearby regions but can also exert pressure on distant ecosystems.

Biodiversity loss, primarily driven by habitat destruction, has accelerated due to human activities. While countries clear land domestically for agriculture and development, they also contribute to habitat loss abroad by importing products linked to deforestation.

The expansion of crops for export has outpaced that of domestically consumed crops, and international trade has played a major role in deforestation. However, previous research lacked precise spatial data connecting consumption to biodiversity decline.

Hotspots of biodiversity loss

18 of the 24 studied countries had higher impacts abroad than at home. The United States, Japan, China, Germany, and France were the largest contributors to global biodiversity loss, affecting species across multiple regions.

Germany’s international biodiversity footprint, for instance, is concentrated in West Africa, while France is identified as a driver of biodiversity loss in Madagascar. Meanwhile, biodiversity loss linked to the US is most pronounced in Mesoamerica.

The study shows that a country’s influence on species loss declines with geographic distance, meaning biodiversity loss tends to be concentrated in neighbouring tropical countries.

Nevertheless, exceptions exist where economically developed countries significantly impact biodiversity in distant regions, particularly in Madagascar, where deforestation for vanilla production has played a major role.

Underscoring the role of international trade in environmental degradation, the study highlights the need for policies that account for biodiversity loss beyond national borders.

More risk exposure

The study also highlights the role of developed countries in exacerbating extinction risks.

Among 383 critically endangered species analysed, 16.2 per cent of their total range loss was attributed to international consumption patterns from 24 developed nations.

More than a quarter of these species experienced over 50 per cent of their range loss due to international consumption-driven deforestation.

Authors of the study argue that the “outsourcing” of biodiversity loss challenges the idea that economic development naturally leads to environmental improvements.

They call for a better understanding of international trade’s role in biodiversity loss, emphasising the need for conservation efforts that integrate economic and ecological considerations, especially in regions suffering from deforestation due to global demand.

What is the EU doing

The EU is responsible for about 10 per cent of global deforestation, primarily due to imports of palm oil (34 per cent) and soy (32.8 per cent), followed by wood, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and maize.

To address this, the EU has introduced regulations to curb deforestation linked to its market. The New EU Forestry Strategy 2030 seeks to enhance forest quality and quantity while reinforcing their role as carbon sinks.

In April 2023, the European Parliament approved rules requiring companies to ensure that products sold in the EU do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.

Originally set to take effect in December 2024, enforcement has been postponed by a year, with large companies required to comply by December 2025 and small enterprises by June 2026.

The new law covers key products like palm oil, soy, cocoa, coffee, livestock, timber, beef, leather, paper, furniture, cosmetics, and chocolate. Companies must also verify compliance with human rights standards and protect indigenous peoples’ rights.

Under the regulation, countries will be classified by risk levels, allowing for simplified checks on lower-risk sources. Companies failing to comply could face fines of up to four per cent of their annual EU turnover.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]