Deforestation Free Nation

We are calling for Wales to make history and become the world’s first Deforestation Free Nation.

In 2020, Size of Wales joined WWF Cymru and RSPB Cymru to call for Wales to become a Deforestation Free Nation. We want the Welsh Government and Senedd to take action to eliminate imported deforestation from our economy.

In 2023, nearly 4 million hectares of tropical forest were destroyed — an area nearly twice the size of Wales. Land clearing to produce commodities such as beef, soy, palm oil, coffee, timber and cacao is the main driver of deforestation.

The deforestation economy is all around us. It is in the food we eat, the products we buy, and in our pension pots. Wales can lead the way on this issue, toward a more sustainable future.

To learn more about Deforestation Free Nation, please see the resources section of this page.

Facts about Wales and deforestation

A land area equivalent to 40% of the size of Wales is used overseas to grow Wales’ forest-risk imports.
30% of the land used to grow these commodities is in countries at risk of deforestation and social exploitation, like forced labour and abuse of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Imported palm oil is the commodity most likely to come from countries with a serious risk of deforestation and social exploitation.
Wales imports a massive 190,000 tonnes of soy a year, and nearly 80% is fed to livestock.
The greenhouse gas emissions associated with importing soy, cocoa, palm and natural rubber total 1.5 million tonnes of C02e each year. Nearly a quarter of our national transport emissions!
£2 in every £10 of the average UK pension pot is linked to deforestation.

Picture of an area of forest surrounded by deforestation in Brazil

Relevant reports and resources

Deforestation free nation policy paper cover

Report: Making Wales a Deforestation Free Nation

Making Wales a Deforestation Free Nation: Paper for Policy Makers

Wales and global responsibility report

An area equivalent to 40% of the size of Wales is used overseas to grow commodities imported into Wales.

In many of these countries the rights of indigenous people are abused, people including children are forced into labour, and valuable wildlife habitats are being destroyed to create commodities bound for Wales.

Read the full report to learn more

Learn More

Deforestation Free Business Toolkit

The Deforestation Free Business Toolkit has been designed by Size of Wales to help businesses ensure that the products, commodities and services they buy, produce or invest in, are not causing tropical deforestation, habitat destruction and social impacts overseas.

Deforestation Free Business Toolkit-English-2023.pdf