Deforestation-free supply chains: no ecosystem clearing for animal farming; mandatory trade deal clauses
Why this action matters
Evidence-groundedTransitioning to plant-based diets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and biodiversity loss, as evidenced by studies showing that high consumption of animal-based foods is associated with greater environmental impact, while plant-based diets offer reduced emissions and land use. This shift supports a more sustainable food system by aligning dietary patterns with environmental sustainability goals.
Concept connections
LLM-generatedBBiosphere SSociety EEconomy · ▶effects of this action ◀prerequisites · Click a concept to explore related actions
Consequences of this action
Evidence-groundedThe action itself
Adopting a policy that mandates all supply chains in council procurement to be free of ecosystem clearance linked to animal farming, and including deforestation-free clauses in UK trade deals, would require the elimination of deforestation-linked commodities such as soy and beef from public procurement and trade agreements.
UK implications
This policy would reduce the UK's institutional procurement from supply chains associated with deforestation, potentially lowering emissions linked to land use change and improving public health by reducing exposure to pollutants from deforested areas, though the direct impact on food security may be limited due to reliance on imported commodities.
Global implications
The UK's deforestation-free procurement policy and trade deal clauses would directly affect the viability of soy and beef supply chains in Brazil, Indonesia, and other high-deforestation countries, potentially reducing deforestation rates and associated biodiversity loss, though the extent of impact may depend on the scale of UK market influence and enforcement mechanisms.
National policy stance
No dataCouncil positions (10)
Scientific foundation
Domain-level evidence from the peer-reviewed library
Climate Resilience
Agricultural expansion is the leading driver of deforestation, with beef and soy identified as major forest-risk commodities [Rockström et al., 2023] Deforestation contributes significantly to climate change, with food production responsible for approximately 32% of global terrestrial acidification [Poore et al., 2018] The UK context is particularly relevant as the current global diet uses 4.13 billion ha of land, with 43% of cropland used for raising farmed animals rather than feeding humans directly [Rockström et al., 2023] Acting on deforestation-free supply chains can enable the rewilding of three quarters of agricultural land, which would help restore ecosystems and enhance climate resilience [Rockström et al., 2023] Mandatory trade deal clauses that prohibit ecosystem clearing for animal farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use by up to 75% [Poore et al., 2018]