Adapting to market-based measures to reduce deforestation caused by demand for agricultural commodities
Population growth and economic development drive a significant increase of demand for agricultural commodities. Despite some progress in productivity, agricultural land expansion has been a frequent solution to respond to this demand, causing considerable loss of forests, particularly in the tropics. This trade-off between agriculture and forest has been widely acknowledged and related commitments have multiplied including through the Consumer Goods Forum resolution and the New York Declaration on forests. To halt and reverse deforestation caused by agricultural commodities demand, market-based measures are being implemented by governments and companies, focused on what are considered the most “forest-risk” commodities, notably beef, soy, palm oil, cocoa, timber, and coffee. Considering the limitations of voluntary processes, several compulsory frameworks to encourage private operators to develop legal and sustainable supply chains are currently under development. What impacts will have these measures for governments, large operators, and small holders (including farmers and SMEs)?
This session will focus on market-based efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation caused by demand for agricultural and forest commodities, as well as on innovation in actions to address deforestation in relevant supply chains while avoiding negative impacts on small-holders.
Speakers
