Causes of Deforestation • Forests

Forests

Worldwide, deforestation and conversion of land accounts for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The destruction and degradation of tropical rainforests driven by industrial agriculture is linked to human rights abuses, displacement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and destruction of critical species habitat. Intact forests are foundational to the cultures, livelihoods and spiritual well-being of hundreds of millions of people; they regulate the climate locally and globally; and they are the planet’s immune system, as rich biodiversity and dynamic, living ecosystems guard against the release of pandemic diseases.

Consequently, deforestation is at the center of some of the planet’s most urgent, overlapping crises: Increasingly intense natural disasters, unprecedented species loss, and an epidemic of violence against land and environmental defenders. There is no way to address the climate crisis without protecting the world’s last standing forests. Friends of the Earth’s International Forests program works to address the root causes of forest destruction and the marginalization of forest-dwelling communities. Our campaign on land grabs, forests & finance pressures the world’s largest financial institutions to “defund deforestation;” advances legislative and regulatory solutions; and seeks to amplify the voices and struggles of frontline environmental human rights defenders.

{ term_page.name }}
Latest News See All
On Global Human Rights Day, Friends of the Earth groups welcome United Nations scrutiny over palm oil industry and Astra Agro Lestari’s human rights abuses

Friends of the Earth groups welcome newly-public UN letters raising concerns over palm oil giant Astra Agro Lestari (AAL)'s widespread human rights abuses, land grabbing and environmental degradation.

Friends of the Earth files OECD Complaint against BlackRock for Investments in Agribusiness Companies Causing Environmental, Human Rights Violations

Friends of the Earth U.S. and the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) submitted an OECD complaint against BlackRock for directly contributing to environmental and human rights abuses around the world through its agribusiness investments.

Friends of the Earth groups condemn new reports of violence and threats against communities by Astra Agro Lestari and Indonesian military police force

Recent incidents continue a pattern of intimidation against community leaders and Human Rights Defenders opposed to AAL’s controversial palm oil operations in Indonesia.

Hear from local communities affected by deforestation

WATCH HERE


WATCH HERE

WATCH HERE


Impact Stories See All
Holding Multinational Corporations Accountable
Holding Multinational Corporations Accountable

Getting six major multinationals to stand up and take action is no small thing, but there is still work to be done.

Protecting the Amazon from Rampant Deforestation
Protecting the Amazon from Rampant Deforestation

Studies suggest that cattle ranching and animal feed production is currently responsible for 80% of deforestation across the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Saving a National Forest
Saving a National Forest

More than 111,000 Friends of the Earth members demanded that the Forest Service permanently protect our National Forests from corporations

Latest Blog Posts See All
Gov. Hochul, sign the TREES Act now
Gov. Hochul, sign the TREES Act now

The TREES Act — which passed the Legislature in May — would require New York state to prove it is not purchasing products driving deforestation. If signed, it would be the first anti-deforestation law in the U.S.

BlackRock can’t hide: How a new complaint targets the world’s largest asset manager for deforestation and human rights abuses 
BlackRock can’t hide: How a new complaint targets the world’s largest asset manager for deforestation and human rights abuses 

When we consider the tragic increase in deforestation in the last year (16 million acres permanently lost – let alone 10 times that amount degraded from logging, road building and forest fires), or when we call to mind the tragic violence against those defending their land…

How New York Can Tackle Deforestation and Jumpstart A Historic Path To Climate Justice  
How New York Can Tackle Deforestation and Jumpstart A Historic Path To Climate Justice  

A powerful group of Indigenous leaders and climate justice organizers used the stage of New York’s Climate Week to build momentum for the New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act.  

Resources See All
  • OECD Complaint Against BlackRock
    Learn More
  • Cultivating Conflict: How Astra Agro Lestari, Brands, and Big Finance Capitalize on Indonesia’s Governance Gaps
    Learn More
  • NY Tropical Deforestation NGO sign-on letter
    Download