The latest annual Supply Change report by Forest Trends, a not-for-profit conservation organisation, looked at 447 companies that have made 760 commitments to curb forest destruction in supply chains linked to the "big four" agricultural commodities of palm, soy, timber and pulp, and cattle.
These commodities underpin most consumer goods, from food to clothing, and are responsible for over a third of tropical deforestation, according to the report.
However, there is a risk that initial enthusiasm by companies to meet deforestation supply chain goals will tail off when the full challenge of the task becomes apparent, the report said.
“As companies move to address [stakeholder] demands — and the ever-growing threats to their supply chains, including climate change — we’re learning that meeting these goals is easier said than done,” said Stephen Donofrio, senior adviser for Supply Change.
