Sustainable and Resilient Value Chains: Deforestation

Deforestation remains a critical challenge in global value chains, driven by agricultural expansion and demand for forest-risk commodities. 

This analysis examines how voluntary sustainability standards, such as FSC, RSPO and Rainforest Alliance, and private sector actors are responding. It finds that impact depends not just on standards, but on effective implementation across value chains. 

Verification and transparency are key to turning commitments into results. Stronger, more accessible approaches are still needed, particularly to support smallholders and align with evolving regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation.