Tropical deforestation currently accounts, every year, for the loss of forest area of high environmental value equivalent in size to the country of Greece. The production of agricultural goods, such as meat, soy bean (for animal feed), palm oil, corn, etc. is the primary source of this deforestation. However, a considerable share of this production is intended for export. Thus, developed countries like France, and more generally European countries “import deforestation.”
The European Parliament and Commission have increasingly taken up this issue. The European Commission is thus on the verge of announcing options for a European Union strategy aimed at reducing imported deforestation. Moreover, this issue has also recently been placed on the political agenda in France. The Climate Plan, presented in July 2017 by Nicolas Hulot, State Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, provides for the introduction of a national strategy to “put an end to the import of products that contribute to deforestation.”
Follow the conference on twitter:
#CGVdeforestation
This invitation-only public conference proposes a high-level political dialogue to shed light on this issue. Simultaneous interpretation (French-English) will be provided.
Programme
- Introduction, framing and moderation
Teresa Ribera, Director, IDDRI
- Roundtable followed by discussion with the audience
This discussion will shed light on: European and French perspectives on this issue; a possible timeline for the introduction of appropriate measures; the ways in which relevant actors will be involved; and possible concrete actions to end imported deforestation.
With:
- Laurence Moyonner-Smith, General Commissioner and Interministerial Delegate for Sustainable Development
- Daniel Calleja y Crespo, Director General of Environment at the European Commission
- Conclusion
Teresa Ribera
The series of conferences on biodiversity and ecosystems organised by IDDRI and the Fondation d' entreprise Hermès aims to contribute to making biodiversity a real issue for society, by opening up debates beyond purely expert circles.
It was launched with an inaugural conference on 16 February 2010 at the musée du quai Branly (Paris) entitled "Biodiversity 2010 and beyond? ».
