The EU’s reputation on climate issues is in danger due to a one-year delay to its deforestation law. For this reason, the European Union is facing criticism. This law aims to stop the sale of products linked to deforestation. It includes cocoa palm oil. According to former environment commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius, this delay is a setback in the fight against climate change. He warned that by delaying the law, the EU put the lives of 80,000 acres of forest at risk every day.
It also increased worldwide carbon emissions by 15%. With all of this, EU trust with other nations is hurt that believes that the European Union keeps its climate promises.
Although this law is important in to fight against deforestation, the delay raises concerns. According to this law, companies have to prove that their products have not come from defrosted land since 2020, utilizing tools such as satellite monitoring.
This situation shows the conflict between economic interests and climate responsibility in the EU.
EU ministers and the European Parliament approved the proposed delay in the law. If they don’t have an issue with this proposal, then all small and big companies must follow the law. Large companies must have to follow the law by December 30, 2025, and small businesses by June 30, 2026.
Many governments and businesses argue that this law significantly affects Europe’s exports and could harm small farmers. According to the government, the law is being delayed due to its unfair impact. According to European Commission, a 12 months delay will help every business sector to adjust better.
Countries like Brazil and Australia want the delay because they believe the EU is using the wrong data to check forests. Indonesia and Ivory Coast also say the law could harm small farmers and their exports. The Commission said that concerns about being ready have been raised in international meetings and that the delay will not change the law’s main goals.
In April 2023, a new environmental law came to light. Many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU member states support this law strongly. However, since then, there has been growing criticism regarding the costs associated with this legislation.
This compel European Commission to drop regulations on pesticides. This decision by the European Commission raises concerns about its commitment to the protection of the environment.
Environmental groups claim that Ursula von der Leyen is weakening in one of her key achievements, the European Green Deal. She is starting her second term as Commission President. Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove from the WWF, claims that her decision permits defrostation to continue when urgent action is required. This action raises concerns about her genuine commitment to environmental objectives.
Nicole Polsterer from the campaign group Fern opposed Ursula von der Leyen. She received criticism for giving in to pressure from companies and nations that were not prepared for the new rules. This is worrying because many large businesses have spent time and a handsome amount of money to follow the law. Von der Leyen also received challenges and pressure from her political party that said this law would not prove beneficial for businesses and government agencies.
This situation shows the ongoing struggle between economic interests and environmental responsibilities in making EU policies.
One of the German Members of the European Parliament, Peter Liese, supports this delay in a law that is set to begin on December 30, 2024. According to it, imposing this law now could create any problems. This is because this new regulation has many uncertain conditions. Furthermore, many nations have raised serious and legal concerns about it.
According to Liese, no doubt that deforestation harms the global climate, but its solution’s an impact on many involved parties. The representatives of Europe’s mechanical engineering industry, the VDMA, strongly opposed this law. According to them, this law is well-intentioned but designed poorly. They warn it could make products harder to find and more expensive.
