Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Global Deforestation

30 April 2025 · 10 other contributors · 13,174 words

Opened by Barry Gardiner Lab Brent West

Responding minister: Mary Creagh

ClimateEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Barry Gardiner raised concerns about global deforestation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The world has lost one third of all its forests since the end of the last ice age, with more than half of this loss occurring in the last 125 years.
  • Agricultural expansion is responsible for 88% of global deforestation, contributing to significant carbon dioxide emissions, threatening biodiversity, and livelihoods.
  • The Government's response to addressing these issues through sustainable commodity supply chains has not translated into actionable steps beyond a call to action.

Key requests to Government

The Government needs to take more concrete actions to halt deforestation by 2030, including mobilising global efforts to address the issue and ensuring that financial institutions are disclosing and eliminating harmful practices from their portfolios as committed in previous pledges.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Barry Gardiner Lab Brent West

The world has lost one third of all its forests since the end of the last ice age, with more than half of this loss occurring in the last 125 years. Agricultural expansion is responsible for 88% of global deforestation and contributes to significant carbon dioxide emissions, while threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. The Government's response to addressing these issues through sustainable commodity supply chains has not translated into actionable steps beyond a call to action.

Other contributors (10)
  • Anna Gelderd Lab South East Cornwall

    Emphasised the importance of UK supply chains not being linked to illegal deforestation abroad, highlighting that since the Environment Act was passed, UK imports alone have been linked to over 39,000 hectares of deforestation.

  • Barry Gardiner Lab Croydon North

    Asked whether indigenous communities are represented on the board of the Cali fund. Barry Gardiner urges the Minister not to delay due diligence regulations, suggesting they must be placed without further postponement.

  • Claire Young LD Thornbury and Yate

    Emphasised the importance of forests as the lungs of our planet, housing biodiversity and supporting livelihoods. She highlighted concerns about deforestation expressed by her constituents and called for stronger regulations to prevent UK businesses from fuelling illegal deforestation.

  • Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest

    Called on the Government to address deforestation and implement rigorous supply chain standards. Emphasised the urgent need for action to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and illegal wildlife trade.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Notes Northern Ireland's low woodland coverage and recent loss of natural forest. Emphasises the importance of forests for biodiversity, livelihoods, and poverty alleviation.

  • Joe Morris Lab Hexham

    Deforestation impacts ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate change. The MP supports responsible forestry in his constituency but urges the Government to consider sustainable methods of transport and procurement for goods imported into the UK.

  • Lillian Jones Lab Kilmarnock and Loudoun

    The MP highlights the importance of productive commercial forestry and broadleaf planting. The industry currently meets only 65% of customer demand from domestic sources, risking job losses in related sectors if tree-planting targets are not met.

  • Mary Creagh Lab Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Asked whether Barry Gardiner was referring to the Plate river when discussing the largest river on Earth. Welcomed the positive conclusions to the COP in Rome and mentioned the UK-Indonesia joint energy transition.

  • Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham

    Corrects Sir Roger Gale on his simplicity and highlights the Government’s imminent end to subsidies for converting reclaimed wood into pellets in Rotherham. Focused on the urgent need for implementation of due diligence regulations in the Environment Act 2021 to prevent larger businesses from using forest-risk commodities that contribute to illegal deforestation, noting that over 1,100 days have passed since the consultation closed without any action.

  • Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich

    Critiques Drax’s carbon-friendly claims and argues that the company's operations are heavily subsidised by British taxpayers, making it a myth to claim they are environmentally friendly.

Government Response

Mary Creagh

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tackling the climate and nature crises is central to the UK’s national interest. Protecting forests is fundamental to achieving the Government’s vision for a world free from poverty on a liveable planet. The UK is planting a new national forest, the Western forest, which will deliver flood prevention services and link up ancient woodland. Forests provide sustenance, livelihoods, food, energy, water, medicines worldwide, hosting rare and endangered species and essential plants for modern medicines. The Cali fund will officially launch at London Climate Action Week in June, and the UK hopes to make an official announcement about hosting the IPBES conference in February 2026.

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