Deforestation in Europe: 4 world-changing EU regulations

While Europe is often associated with lush forests and landscapes, deforestation has impacted Europe throughout history. It poses a significant threat to the continent's biodiversity and ecological stability and has caused the loss of more than half of Europe’s forests in the last 6,000 years.  

Compared to other regions of the world, such as the Amazon or Southeast Asia, the rate of deforestation in Europe may seem less severe, but it remains a pressing issue.

Fortunately, recent efforts and sustainable practices have led to growth in forests across the European Union (EU), showcasing an evolving commitment to forest preservation. While the EU recognizes the importance of preserving its forests and implements various policies to combat deforestation, these policies don't reach all of Europe. Unfortunately, EU policies might not target European countries with severe deforestation concerns, including parts of Russia. 

Still, these policies encompass a range of strategies, including sustainable forest management practices, reforestation initiatives, and regulations to reduce illegal logging and promote responsible consumption of wood products. 

Table of contents: 

• Overview of deforestation in Europe 
• The 2003 EU FLEGT Action Plan combats international illegal logging activities
• The 2013 EUTR addresses domestic illegal logging activities
• The EU steps up action to protect and restore the world's forests in 2019
• The 2023 EUDR helps protect forests and secure supply chains
• The future of addressing deforestation in Europe 
• How individuals can help fight deforestation

Overview of deforestation in Europe

Europe's forests have experienced a significant decline over the centuries. According to research by the World Resources Institute (WRI), roughly 78 per cent of Europe’s tall forests have been lost since the Roman Empire's era.  

However, today’s forest areas within the EU are growing. According to Eurostat, forested land in the EU has expanded approximately 5.3 per cent since 2000, adding 8 million hectares of forest to the EU for an estimated 160 million total hectares of in 2021. This positive trend is encouraging and a testament to the power of collective action.   

Nevertheless, it’s important to continue pushing for more positive change. According to the FAO’s State of the World's Forests report, the region still lost approximately 5.5 million hectares of forest between 1990 and 2020. This is largely due to the impacts of urbanization, infrastructure development, and changing land use practices. 

Deforestation is a significant driver of climate change, so the loss highlights the need for further protective measures, especially when you consider how much forests matter for the climate.  

In response to this issue, the European Commission outlined five key objectives aimed at combating deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management within the EU:  

1. Encourage the EU’s consumption of products that come from sustainable supply chains to reduce the demand for goods linked to deforestation  
2. Collaborate with countries to reduce the demand for wood from forests
3. Cooperate internationally to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, as well as promote forest regrowth
4. Direct funds towards sustainable land-use practices and support conservation
5. Make accurate data on forests and supply chains accessible, and invest in research and innovation for more effective forest conservation solutions

Together, these objectives create a comprehensive approach to how the EU is addressing deforestation and advancing sustainable forest management practices both within Europe and globally. 

Below, we’ll look at some of the key actions and policies enacted by the EU to address Europe’s deforestation problem. 

The 2003 EU FLEGT Action Plan combats international illegal logging activities

The EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan is a comprehensive initiative designed to combat illegal logging and promote sustainable forest management at an international scale.  

Recognizing the significant negative impact of deforestation, the EU implemented this plan to help ensure timber imported into the European Union originated from legal and sustainably managed sources. Addressing the issues identified in the FLEGT Action Plan is one way the European Commission addressed priorities following the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).  

The plan operates through Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with timber-producing countries. By working closely with these partner countries, the EU aims to strengthen their forest governance systems and promote responsible forestry practices over illegal logging.  

The FLEGT Action Plan is a culmination of years of collaboration, and ultimately lead to even more robust legislation to fight illegal logging domestically, like the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).  

How it combats deforestation in Europe: The EU FLEGT Action Plan worked with VPAs, supporting a global effort to reduce deforestation, protect biodiversity, and

The 2013 EUTR addresses domestic illegal logging activities

The EU Timber Regulation entered into application 10 years after the FLEGT Action Plan in March 2013. While complimentary to the EU FLEGT Action Plan, the EUTR is designed to combat illegal logging and the trade of illegally harvested timber specifically within the European Union. 

It requires that EU operators exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market. To help fulfil this obligation, operators must:  

• Gather information: Collect details about the timber, including its country of origin, species, quantity, supplier information, and compliance with relevant national laws.
• Assess risk: Evaluate the risk of illegal timber in their supply chain based on the gathered information and specific EUTR criteria.
• Mitigate risk: Implement measures like requiring additional information and verification from suppliers to reduce the risk of illegal timber entering the supply chain.
• Maintain records: Keep records of suppliers and customers to ensure traceability.

Operators under the EUTR who are importing forest-based products under The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) umbrella can help streamline their due diligence process by relying on FSC certification. FSC certification helps ensure compliance with legality requirements and reduces the risk of illegal timber. However, operators must still collect basic product information, such as country of origin and species, and verify their supplier's FSC certificate. 

While the EUTR is a valuable piece of legislation, it is scheduled to be repealed in December 2024 to make way for the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).  

How it helped combat deforestation in Europe: The EUTR is an important step in the EU’s efforts to curb deforestation through the limitation of illegal logging and by reducing the demand for illegally harvested timber. 

The EU steps up action to protect and restore the world's forests in 2019

In July 2019, the European Union launched an initiative titled ‘Stepping up EU action to protect and restore the world’s forests,’ demonstrating its commitment to global forest conservation and restoration efforts.  

At its core, the initiative seeks to address the myriad threats facing forests, including deforestation, degradation, and unsustainable land-use practices. By prioritizing forest protection and restoration, the EU aims to combat biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable development on a global scale. 

Central to this initiative is recognizing forests' crucial role in supporting biodiversity, regulating the climate, and providing essential ecosystem services, all of which align with the concept of climate-smart forestry. 

Through improved cooperation with international partners, the EU aims to leverage its resources and expertise to support forest conservation and restoration projects across the globe. Fostering international collaboration is key to this aim, which can empower stakeholders in forest-rich regions to contribute to global conservation efforts.

How it combats deforestation in Europe: EU intensifies efforts to safeguard forests globally, promoting restoration for a sustainable future.

The 2023 EUDR helps protect forests and secure supply chains

The 2023 Regulation on Deforestation-free Products includes even more stringent requirements for products entering the EU market, particularly focusing on commodities notorious for their association with deforestation.  

The EUDR replaces the EUTR, expanding its scope to a wider range of commodities. Key products this policy covers include: 

• Palm oil 
• Cattle 
• Soy 
• Coffee 
• Cocoa 
• Timber 
• Rubber 
• Derived products, like beef, furniture, and chocolate

This regulation aims to address the significant environmental and social impact of deforestation by imposing strict requirements on companies importing products into the EU market.  

By implementing the EUDR, the European Union seeks to reduce its contribution to environmental damage and promote sustainable production and consumption. A central goal of this policy is to encourage businesses to exercise due diligence and help verify that their products are deforestation-free.  

Due diligence outlined in the EUDR involves assessing the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with their supply chains, implementing measures to mitigate these risks, and keeping detailed records.  

It serves as a key component of the EU's broader strategy to combat deforestation and forest degradation by aligning with the EU’s broader climate objectives. These objectives include achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and promoting sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.  

The EU regulation also seeks to incentivize global supply chains to adopt sustainable practices, fostering responsible production and consumption patterns while promoting the conservation of forest ecosystems. 

Failure to meet these standards may result in penalties or exclusion from the EU market, posing challenges for businesses that rely on exporting goods linked to deforestation. In short, this regulation serves to compel companies across the globe to prioritize responsible production practices. Read more about how the EUDR and FSC® are aligning.   

How it combats deforestation in Europe: Enhanced regulation strengthens due diligence on products, ensuring key goods imported into the EU market will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and elsewhere. 

The future of addressing deforestation in Europe

Looking ahead, the EU is requiring companies to comply with new and existing policies as part of ongoing efforts to address deforestation and promote sustainable forest management practices.  

Forest Monitoring Law goes into effect in November 2023	Creation of a comprehensive forest knowledge base to improve the understanding and monitoring of forest ecosystems.
Rules from the EUDR begin to apply for medium/large operators and traders in December 2024	The EUDR incentivizes adoption of sustainable production methods and mitigate the environmental impacts of forest loss.  Companies must be prepared to comply with the EUDR by December 2024 or face penalties.
Rules from the EUDR begin to apply for micro and small enterprises in June 2025	This extended deadline applies only to small businesses only and is in response to the unique challenges small businesses face when complying with regulatory standards.   The EUDR provides tailored support and guidance to enable smaller enterprises to adopt sustainable practices, but they must meet these standards by June 2025.

 

The European Union's efforts to combat deforestation through initiatives like the EUDR are crucial to promoting sustainability and preserving the planet's forests. Consumers can help support these efforts by advocating for responsible consumption practices, supporting sustainable businesses, and staying informed about environmental policies and their implications.

How individuals can help fight deforestation

The European Union is making great strides in combatting deforestation, but consumers can also make a difference. By incorporating these steps in daily life, individuals can be a part of the solution to deforestation and contribute to a healthier future for Europe’s vital ecosystems and the planet.  

• Look for the FSC label on wood, paper, bamboo and other products that are made of forest-based fibers. This helps ensure the forest-based materials were derived for land that follows strict sustainability standards established and enforced by FSC.
• Support sustainable businesses by researching companies that are committed to limiting the impact of deforestation through practices like sustainable sourcing. Choose these brands over competitors with less clarity on their environmental impact.
• Stay informed and advocate for change on environmental policies. In addition to FSC, the World Wildlife Fund provides a plethora of research, articles, and campaigns focused on forest conservation, sustainable sourcing, and combating deforestation worldwide.

Additional resources

View the European Commission Directorate-General for the Environment to stay updated on the latest policies, initiatives, and publications related to deforestation prevention and sustainable forestry practices within the European Union. Access United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP’s) resources and reports on biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, and sustainable development goals related to forestry and land use. 

Sourcing

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