Agricultural commodity consumption and trade responsible for over 40% of tropical deforestation
Magazine article, 2015

Commercial agriculture and timber extraction play an important role in causing tropical deforestation. However, information is scarce on the extent to which production and trade of ‘forest-risk’ commodities like beef, soy, palm oil and wood products are actually driving tropical forest loss. In a recent study the authors of this Focali brief show that in the period 2000-2011, the production and trade of four commodities in just seven tropical countries was responsible for 40 percent of global tropical deforestation and associated carbon emissions.

timber

soy

palm oil

trade

beef

deforestation

Author

Martin Persson

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Sabine Henders

Thomas Kastner

Focali Policy Brief

2015:03 4-

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Agricultural Science

Forest Science

Environmental Sciences

More information

Created

10/7/2017