Joining #Together4Forests to defend EU Deforestation Regulation

The EU Deforestation Law protects what we love! // CREDIT: Together4Forests & AKAM.

During this month of June, at Aktion Amazonas we are joining the Together4Forests campaign to support the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a law designed to prevent products linked to deforestation and human rights violations from being placed on the EU market.

#Together4Forests is a coalition of more than 200 environmental and human rights organisations from across Europe, united in the fight against EU-driven deforestation. The campaign was instrumental in pushing for the creation of the EUDR, which was adopted in 2023 after over 1.2 million people participated in an EU public consultation demanding strong legislation to stop deforestation linked to products such as soy, beef, cocoa, palm oil, and timber.

If properly implemented, the EUDR could help protect over 8 million hectares of forest worldwide by 2035, an area nearly twice the size of Denmark.

However, the law is now facing serious challenges. Although agreed in 2023, its entry into force has been delayed by one year and is now scheduled for 30 December 2025. In the months leading up to this date, several EU Member States, politicians and industry actors are attempting to weaken or postpone the regulation further, risking its effectiveness and undermining years of work.

The EUDR is a crucial tool for reducing global deforestation and protecting the rights of forest-dependent communities. It aims to ensure that products sold in the EU are not contributing to environmental destruction or to the displacement of Indigenous Peoples and local populations.

From 16 to 30 June, civil society organisations across Europe are calling on EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to stand by the commitments made and ensure the law is implemented in full and on time.

Forests are essential for climate stability, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions of people. The EU must live up to its responsibility and not give in to pressure that prioritises short-term commercial interests over global environmental and human rights concerns.