“This opens the door over the next year for EU lawmakers to eviscerate a regulation which represents Europe’s most significant attempt to tackle the biggest driver of deforestation: clearing land for agricultural production,” said Pierre-Jean Sol Brasier, campaigner at forest and rights NGO Fern in a written statement.
EU countries’ position — which will now need to be negotiated with the European Parliament — includes a one-year delay for medium and large operators, a longer delay for small operators and a review clause to allow for further regulatory cuts if deemed necessary, according to the press release.
Forest ecosystems are home to over half of the world’s terrestrial species and, as natural absorbers of carbon dioxide, they play a crucial role in combating climate change. The law was designed to protect those environmental services.
But some businesses have long complained the law is too burdensome to take effect in its current state. Others say they are ready for its implementation and have called on policymakers not to delay or further review the law.
In a bid to appease the first camp — as well as several unhappy trade partners — the Commission last month proposed bringing the law into effect on Dec. 30 with some simplifying amendments and a six-month grace period for companies that struggle to comply. But many EU governments said the Commission’s text did not go far enough in alleviating administrative burden.
Hacking away
The EU is already in a difficult position at the COP climate conference as it works to convince big polluters to commit to more climate action in Belém. European governments backtracking on green policies and disagreeing over the pace of decarbonization has opened the bloc up to charges of hypocrisy — including from major polluter China.
