The geopolitics of zero deforestation: Connecting the demand and supply sides of the story

Consumer countries such as the EU, USA and China have begun to look at their footprint from imported deforestation. Several initiatives are being implemented or debated that address globally traded soft commodities from the Amazon, including timber, soy, beef, cocoa and coffee. These include import and other regulatory approaches, as well as a plethora of commitments by non-state actors and the investment community. The ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement has been blocked by a number of countries arguing for stronger guarantees of socio-environmental safeguards. But how effective are these approaches? While most of the debate focuses on global commitments made by governments, corporations and investors, considerably less attention has been given to the potential impacts and trade-offs of such initiatives in producer countries and regions. Speakers in this session will unpack these questions, and identify pathways and priorities for achieving equitable, zero-deforestation production in the Amazon.