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Chris West was quoted in this Guardian article on the impacts of western consumption on global deforestation.
Logs stacked up in Malaysia. An average western person is responsible for 4 trees felled every year due to their commodity consumption according to research. Photo: Pok Rie/Pexels.
Recent research linking high-resolution maps of global deforestation to the wide range of commodities imported by each country is highlighted in this Guardian article. The research was not undertaken by SEI but suggests that the impact of western consumption of products such as coffee chocolate, beef and palm oil is responsible for the felling of four trees per person every year, many in wildlife-rich tropical forests. This can contribute to climate change impacts and also affect forest biodiversity.
Chris West, Senior Research Leader at SEI was quoted:
“Consumption can have large effects overseas, given our dependence on international supply chains”. “This can’t be tackled by single nations alone and is also not just a western issue.”
He identified the need for more detailed data to link consumption to specific areas within countries.
“We need finer-scale analysis where this is possible,” stated Chris.
SEI’s Trase project was also mentioned.
Tool / Trase enables governments, companies and others to address the environmental impacts of supply chains.
Other publication / Exploring the uncertainty of different approaches to assess overseas environmental impacts from commodities consumed in the UK.
Feature / Using Trase transparency data, discover insights into how companies' and importers' sourcing of Brazilian soy could link them to deforestation.
Journal article / Calculating the biodiversity impact of soy production that can be attributed to consumers in different countries around the world.
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