Estimating the Role of Seven Commodities in Agriculture-Linked Deforestation: Oil Palm, Soy, Cattle, Wood Fiber, Cocoa, Coffee, and Rubber (2024)

FAQs

What commodities are linked to deforestation? ›

Production of commodities including beef, soy, palm oil, pulp, paper, energy and minerals, is the leading cause of deforestation.

Just four commodities—beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products—drive the majority of tropical deforestation.

for agriculture…

Deforestation causes increases in temperatures and changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall —generally creating a drier climate. These impacts can affect soil moisture, reducing yields in some areas and increasing flooding in others.

Beef production is the number one driver of tropical deforestation. About 60% of the world's agricultural land is used for beef production, even though beef accounts for only 2% of calories consumed worldwide. The beef industry currently causes 25% of global land-use emissions.

Large-scale agriculture is responsible for more than 70% of deforestation globally. The growing population fuels the demand for agricultural land, leading to the clearing of forests to create space for food production.

Crops like ginseng, goldenseal, shiitake or other mushrooms, and decorative ferns are used or sold for medicinal, culinary, and ornamental uses. Forest farming can provide shorter-term income while high-quality trees are being grown for wood or other tree products.

Some 80% of global deforestation is a result of agricultural production, which is also the leading cause of habitat destruction.

The primary catalyst behind global deforestation is beef production, with the conversion of land for cattle grazing and feed production accounting for approximately 41% of deforestation, equivalent to about 2.1 million hectares annually – roughly half the size of the Netherlands.

Promoting Sustainable Choices

By consuming less, avoiding single-use packaging, eating sustainable food, and choosing recycled or responsibly-produced wood products, we can all be part of the movement to protect forests. Make choices for forests, nature, and people — and do so vocally!

Why is deforestation bad? ›

Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide. If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. There's simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation.

To keep pace with a growing global population, that use of land is expected to expand further, putting pressure on vulnerable tropical forests and grasslands. But not all agriculture is equal. Globally, beef and soy are the leading drivers of tropical deforestation and conversion of other habitats.

Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure expansion such as road building and urbanization. Rarely is there a single direct cause for deforestation.

Forests around the world are accessed to supply furniture, flooring, lumber, and other building materials to the booming global marketplace. Responsible practices by companies throughout the forest products supply chain can avoid the worst impacts of illegal or unsustainable logging.

The main driver of these processes is the expansion of agricultural land that is linked to the production of commodities like cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derived products, such as leather, chocolate, tyres, or furniture.

If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. There's simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation. We need to protect forests now more than ever.