Crucial actions for nature, forests and people – at COP30 and beyond

The climate and nature crises are connected parts of a large and complex challenge, but there are clear and tangible next steps that can drive real change. As nations, business groups, financial institutions and civil society gather in Belém for COP30, we put the spotlight on four priority actions – rooted in our innovative data, guidance and frameworks – that can make a real difference for nature, forests and people.

Actions from the EU

Tropical forest loss is caused by agricultural expansion for commodities that are traded globally. That’s why importing market regulation is essential to halt and reverse deforestation. Trase data released last year showed that EU imports of agricultural commodities exposed the bloc to an area of deforestation almost ten times the size of Brussels annually.

That’s why the EU Deforestation Regulation is so key. The ground-breaking law prevents  companies importing or exporting commodities that have been illegally produced or grown on recently deforested land. It will level the playing field and push market action.

But it’s under attack. It’s already been delayed by a year and is now under further threat. That’s why Global Canopy is part of the #Together4Forests campaign calling on the EU to implement it in full and without delay.

Corporate Performance Communications Lead Rue Swabey tells the EU: enough flip-flopping, it’s time to get moving.

The Beijing-Brasilia partnership

Effective climate action demands truly international collaboration. While the current moment of uncertainty about the climate leadership of the United States has made this particularly visible, it has long been the case.

Consider the enormous potential of partnership between Brazil and China. Brazil is one of the world’s largest exporters of forest risk commodities including beef and soy. China is one of the largest importers. This means both nations can drive positive action on deforestation – especially by working together.

As Trase Global Engagement Lead Andre Vasconcelos says, a “potential Beijing Brasilia partnership” could create “a new wave of co-operation that can drive real change across borders.”

Financial regulators must recognise nature-related risks

For too long nature has been ignored by financial regulators. While climate risk has enjoyed growing recognition, nature-related risks have not been as prominently acknowledged. But the evidence is clear that accelerating nature loss will threaten the world’s financial systems.

Economic activities depend on nature, and so nature loss can negatively affect economies. Nature degradation triggers and worsens disasters, such as floods, wildfire and drought, exacerbating damage to financial institutions, businesses and the wider economy. 

Nature loss has material financial consequences and that’s why, our Technical Nature-Related Finance Lead, Dr Natacha Postel-Vinay, has a clear message:  “We want financial regulators to integrate nature-related risks into their supervision.”

Leveraging finance to transform Brazil’s cattle sector

Brazil has spoken out strongly ahead of COP30 – emphasising that the two weeks must focus on implementation – action and not just words. In one sector in particular, targeted action could have outsized benefits.

Cattle ranching is the biggest driver of global deforestation and the Amazon is particularly impacted. That means Brazil – through its cattle sector – can lead a global shift toward deforestation-free business and finance.

Global Canopy’s Finance Sector Roadmap has been tailored for the Brazilian finance sector and offers guidance and practical steps enabling financial institutions to eliminate deforestation from portfolios. Brazilian financial institutions including CAIXA and Régia Capital are engaging with these frameworks to drive change.

Our Brazil Programme Director, Luis Meneses, says financial institutions have the power to shape the cattle supply chain – ending deforestation, ecosystem loss, and human rights abuses.