The destruction of our forests
Deforestation as a business
It’s a familiar image: deforested jungle areas, smoking clearances, excavators in the once untouched greenery. What often appears in the headlines has direct links to our everyday lives. Cocoa, beef, palm oil and wood are products that are traded worldwide and are often produced under ecologically questionable conditions. Deforestation as a business model is increasingly leaving a bitter aftertaste, and not just for consumers. The focus is now shifting to politics. Measures such as the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which came into force in June 2023, are intended to curb the destruction of our forests at a regulatory level. The actual due diligence and reporting obligations for companies, however, only take effect once the (postponed) application date arrives.
Update (as of September 2026): The EUDR’s application date has been postponed twice. Instead of taking effect in December 2024 as originally planned, the regulation now applies starting December 30, 2026 for large and medium-sized companies, and June 30, 2027 for small and micro-enterprises (Regulation (EU) 2025/2650). As part of the second postponement, the EU also simplified the due diligence requirements: certain checks further down the supply chain no longer apply, small primary operators can submit a simplified, one-time declaration, and printed products were removed from the regulation’s scope entirely. Preparation demands remain significant, however: building an EUDR-compliant, geolocation-based supply chain typically takes 12 to 18 months.
Politicians also regard the destruction of our forests as a major problem. In order to minimize environmental damage, regulations are increasingly being introduced to remedy the situation, and whose application date for companies has since been pushed back to late 2026 and mid-2027, respectively.
One example of this is the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which came into force in June 2023.
See our News section for more information on this regulation.
With our EUDR software, you can maximize your compliance with the Deforestation Regulation.
The threat to our forests
Deforestation on a large scale
Deforestation has numerous causes worldwide, which are often interlinked and have serious ecological, social and economic consequences. Depending on the method and purpose of deforestation, the impact on forests and their ecosystems varies considerably.
- Deforestation:
Mechanical clearing is carried out using equipment such as timber harvesters, which can efficiently fell and process large quantities of wood.
In slash-and-burn clearing, forests are deliberately burned down to quickly create large areas for agricultural purposes. Although this method of deforestation is cost-effective and efficiently frees up land, it causes serious ecological damage, including the release of greenhouse gases, soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity. - Illegal logging:
Illegal logging involves the felling, transportation and sale of timber without authorization or in violation of national laws. This practice is a major cause of deforestation, contributes significantly to ecological degradation and leads to a dramatic loss of biodiversity.
- Agricultural expansion:
The creation of agricultural land, particularly for soy, palm oil and livestock, is one of the main causes of the destruction of the rainforests. This practice has far-reaching consequences for the climate and biodiversity, as it releases large amounts of CO₂ and irretrievably destroys habitats. - Infrastructure:
The construction of roads, dams and urban areas often requires extensive deforestation. These projects facilitate access to previously untouched areas, often leading to further illegal deforestation and accelerated destruction of forests. - Mining:
Mining for minerals and other raw materials is a significant cause of deforestation. Mining projects destroy large areas of forest, often leave behind infertile soils and have a lasting impact on the affected ecosystems, as the landscape is often not restored.
Whitepaper EUDR
Whitepaper European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
The EUDR poses operational and regulatory challenges for many companies. Our whitepaper discusses the implementation of an EUDR software solution as well as the challenges and solutions for compliance officers. Get practical insights and suggestions for strategic and technical positioning of companies.
The preservation of our forests
EUDR aproach to combat deforestation
A variety of measures are required to combat deforestation. Sustainable forestry relies on selective timber harvesting and the protection of biodiversity, while the expansion and financial support of protected areas safeguard valuable forest areas. Modern technologies and stricter laws like the EUDR help to monitor and curb illegal deforestation. Agroforestry systems offer a sustainable alternative by integrating trees into agriculture and thus increasing productivity without destroying forests. Reduced meat consumption in industrialized nations and the promotion of plant-based diets can also reduce deforestation.
Reforestation and restoration play a key role in restoring degraded ecosystems. Education and public engagement are essential to raise awareness of the importance of forests and to contribute to forest conservation through responsible consumer behavior. Starting from the (postponed) application date, December 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027 for small and micro-enterprises, companies will be required to prove that their supply chains are deforestation-free.
If you would like to learn more about the policy measures to combat deforestation, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) provides more insight. This regulation aims to regulate the import of products linked to deforestation and thus curb global forest loss.
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