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.

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Impact Stories See All
Fighting for Corporate Responsibility
Fighting for Corporate Responsibility

After years of pressure from environmental activists, Proctor & Gamble shareholders took a vital step towards protecting our forests.

A Victory for Forests: Cargill Cuts Ties with Palm Oil Producer
A Victory for Forests: Cargill Cuts Ties with Palm Oil Producer

Friends of the Earth and our allies have pushed businesses and corporations to cut ties with abusive and destructive palm oil companies.

Nestlé Cuts Ties With Conflict Palm Oil
Nestlé Cuts Ties With Conflict Palm Oil

More than 40,000 Friends of the Earth members signed our petition urging Nestlé to cut ties with REPSA. And Nestlé responded.

Latest News See All
Friends of the Earth groups reject investigation into environmental and human rights violations by Indonesian palm oil company

Today, Astra Agro Lestari (AAL) planned and then canceled a kick off meeting for their flawed investigation into the company’s environmental and human rights violations in Central and West Sulawesi, Indonesia, despite repeated concerns from environmental groups and impacted communities.

New York Lawmakers and Environmental Advocates Urge Assembly to Stop Funding Climate Destruction

Liberian Goldman Prize Winner, Alfred Lahai Gbabai Brownell Sr, joined lawmakers and advocates in Albany today to urge the New York Assembly to pass The New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act (S.4859/A.5682). 

Groundbreaking New York Climate Bill Passes Senate

A groundbreaking climate bill, The New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act (S.4859/A.5682), passed in the New York State Senate today as part of a package of environmental bills and will next head to the State Assembly.

Latest Blog Posts See All
Indigenous Leader Faces Murder Attempt, Death Threats Amid Intensifying Land Grabbing and Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado
Indigenous Leader Faces Murder Attempt, Death Threats Amid Intensifying Land Grabbing and Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado

Agribusiness companies operating in the Brazilian Cerrado continue to drive violence, intimidation, and dispossession against Indigenous leaders, traditional communities and environmental human rights defenders

Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Escalating Conflict by Astra Agro Lestari in Sulawesi, Indonesia
Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Escalating Conflict by Astra Agro Lestari in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Rather than pursuing a peaceful resolution following these recent business suspensions, Astra Agro Lestari is fomenting further violence and intimidation.

Will consumer goods companies ensure justice for communities that have been robbed of their lands and livelihoods?
Will consumer goods companies ensure justice for communities that have been robbed of their lands and livelihoods?

If a destructive palm oil company is suspended by consumer goods giants for land grabbing and human right abuses, will we finally get our land back?

Resources See All
  • NY Deforestation Bill Fact Sheet
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  • NY Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act fact sheet
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  • NY Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act fact sheet (Spanish)
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