EU faces criticism for delaying deforestation law enforcement

The European Union's decision to delay implementing a law banning products linked to deforestation has drawn criticism from a former environment commissioner who warns it undermines climate efforts.

Jennifer Rankin reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• Virginijus Sinkevičius criticized the EU for postponing its deforestation law by a year, calling it a reward for noncompliance.
• The law targets commodities like cocoa and soy linked to deforestation but now faces pressure from industry and certain nations.
• Sinkevičius warned against rolling back green policies amid political opposition and economic challenges in the EU.

Key quote:

“A last-minute change does not give credibility to the EU’s decision-making.”

— Virginijus Sinkevičius, former EU environment commissioner

Why this matters:

Global deforestation exacerbates climate change and biodiversity loss, with millions of hectares lost annually. Delaying robust enforcement risks further environmental harm and weakens regulatory credibility. Prioritizing consistent climate policies can protect ecosystems and foster fair competition.