The EU is postponing its Deforestation Regulation, raising concerns about its commitment to climate leadership. Critics argue this undermines efforts to protect tropical forests.

The European Union is facing criticism for its decision to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until December 2026. This move, largely influenced by Germany and France, aims to reduce due-diligence requirements for businesses. Critics argue that this undermines the EU's commitment to combating deforestation, especially as the COP30 climate summit takes place in Brazil, a region heavily impacted by deforestation. Civil society organizations have expressed concerns that further delays will harm compliant companies and erode trust in the EU's regulatory framework. The EUDR was designed to ensure that imports of products like cocoa and palm oil are not linked to deforestation, but the recent political shifts suggest a weakening of these protections. Observers note that the EU's silence on deforestation at COP30 highlights a contradiction in its climate leadership narrative.