The next United Nations climate conference, COP30, will take place in Belem, Brazil, a region severely impacted by deforestation for cattle farming. A report by Global Canopy reveals that 80% of Brazil’s leading beef and leather companies and their financiers have not committed to stopping deforestation. This lack of action is concerning given the significant role cattle farming plays in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Even companies like JBS, which have made commitments to halt deforestation, are found to be sourcing from recently deforested lands.
The evaluation of deforestation risk is based on purchasing practices and deforestation rates in Brazilian municipalities. Global Canopy’s report serves as a wake-up call to the industry and calls for effective implementation of commitments, traceability mechanisms, and transparent reporting on progress. The companies mentioned in the report, including JBS, Mercurio, Mafrinorte, and Frigol, are urged to take immediate action to prevent further destruction of the Amazon rainforest and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The state of Para, where the conference will be held, has the second-largest cattle herd in Brazil and has lost its status as a carbon sink due to deforestation and climate change. The report’s findings will be updated before COP30, highlighting the urgent need for action in the Amazon region. Global Canopy’s executive director emphasizes the importance of addressing deforestation and calls for a collective response to protect the environment.
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