What Has Driven Deforestation in the 21st Century?

• Over the last two decades, the world has lost forest cover at a rate equivalent to roughly one Costa Rica per year.
• Over 90% of tropical deforestation is attributed to commodity-driven agriculture and forestry.
• Beef production is the single largest driver, responsible for 41% of total deforestation.

Key Drivers of Deforestation

• Beef: The primary driver, fueled by the demand for grazing land. It has destroyed more than two UK-sized areas of forest this century, primarily affecting the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savanna.
• Oilseeds: Dominated by soy and palm oil, which were major drivers in the early 2000s.
• Forest Plantations and Cereals: Each accounts for 12% of total deforestation.

Geographical Concentration

• Brazil: Home to over half of all deforestation caused by beef production, accounting for 25% of global deforestation this century.
• Indonesia and Malaysia: Nearly all global palm oil production occurs here; Indonesian palm oil alone accounts for 6% of global forest loss.
• Asia and North America: Major sites for forest plantation-related clearing (US, Canada, and China).
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Leading area for forest loss regarding staple crops (cereals, tubers) and cash crops (fruits, coffee, cocoa). Much of this is driven by low agricultural yields, necessitating land expansion rather than productivity gains.

Trends and Mitigation

• Palm Oil Success: Deforestation rates for palm oil have fallen significantly over the last decade due to a combination of corporate zero-deforestation commitments (e.g., Unilever, Nestlé), certification schemes, and government regulations like Indonesia’s palm oil permit moratorium and Malaysia’s plantation caps.
• Productivity Improvements: Increasing agricultural yields is highlighted as a critical strategy to ensure food security and poverty reduction while preserving remaining natural habitats.