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EU Consumption Responsible for Loss of 149M Trees Worldwide
(MENAFN) EU consumption was responsible for the loss of 149 million trees worldwide between 2021 and 2023, according to new research commissioned by environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on Tuesday.
The study examines the environmental impact of the bloc’s demand for key commodities, including soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, leather, rubber, and industrial roundwood. It finds that EU consumption led to an average deforestation rate of 50 million trees per year — roughly 100 trees every minute.
WWF said the findings underscore the urgent need for full and timely implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), cautioning against any weakening or delay of the rules.
The report highlights that chocolate consumption within the EU drives the loss of more than 10 million trees annually. Beef and leather products account for another 10 million trees lost each year, while EU use of palm oil results in the removal of more than 6 million trees. Soy imports, largely used for animal feed in products such as fish, cheese, and eggs, contribute to around 6.4 million trees lost per year. Coffee consumption adds over 3 million trees annually to the toll.
Germany has largest footprint
The research also estimates the “final consumption footprint” of products in each EU member state, after accounting for trade and complex supply-chain transformations. Germany leads with an annual loss of 13 million trees, followed by Spain (6.5 million) and France (6.3 million). On a per-capita basis, the Netherlands tops the list with 272 trees lost per 1,000 residents annually, ahead of Luxembourg (226) and Finland (177).
WWF additionally assessed the carbon impact of delaying EUDR enforcement, based on typical import volumes of regulated commodities. Across the EU, a one-year postponement could generate 16.8 million tons of imported emissions — roughly equivalent to every London resident flying to New York three times in a single year.
The report estimates that full implementation of the EUDR could prevent 387 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, equivalent to permanently shutting down eight large coal-fired power plants. WWF warned that without swift enforcement, rising import trends could push emissions even higher, adding another 17.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
The study examines the environmental impact of the bloc’s demand for key commodities, including soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, leather, rubber, and industrial roundwood. It finds that EU consumption led to an average deforestation rate of 50 million trees per year — roughly 100 trees every minute.
WWF said the findings underscore the urgent need for full and timely implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), cautioning against any weakening or delay of the rules.
The report highlights that chocolate consumption within the EU drives the loss of more than 10 million trees annually. Beef and leather products account for another 10 million trees lost each year, while EU use of palm oil results in the removal of more than 6 million trees. Soy imports, largely used for animal feed in products such as fish, cheese, and eggs, contribute to around 6.4 million trees lost per year. Coffee consumption adds over 3 million trees annually to the toll.
Germany has largest footprint
The research also estimates the “final consumption footprint” of products in each EU member state, after accounting for trade and complex supply-chain transformations. Germany leads with an annual loss of 13 million trees, followed by Spain (6.5 million) and France (6.3 million). On a per-capita basis, the Netherlands tops the list with 272 trees lost per 1,000 residents annually, ahead of Luxembourg (226) and Finland (177).
WWF additionally assessed the carbon impact of delaying EUDR enforcement, based on typical import volumes of regulated commodities. Across the EU, a one-year postponement could generate 16.8 million tons of imported emissions — roughly equivalent to every London resident flying to New York three times in a single year.
The report estimates that full implementation of the EUDR could prevent 387 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, equivalent to permanently shutting down eight large coal-fired power plants. WWF warned that without swift enforcement, rising import trends could push emissions even higher, adding another 17.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
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