How New UK Laws Could Protect Rainforests

New deforestation laws are emerging in the UK that would require any local business to prove that they obtained none of their resources through illegal deforestation.

The Independent UK has run a story on the proposed laws, which could set a precedent for other countries.

Suppose your business is reliant on certain raw materials that are commonly associated with large-scale destruction of forests. In that case, you have to prove that you got those materials from places where the production didn't break local laws.

North American and European countries have widely condemned the vast deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

But international pressure has mostly fallen on deaf ears. 

“The proposed legislation would require any firms operating in the UK to show exactly where key commodities, including rubber, cocoa, soy and palm oil, came from. Companies unable to prove the origin of their products and show that they were produced in line with local laws protecting forests, will be subject to fines.”

And the idea is actually relatively simple.

Suppose your business is reliant on certain raw materials that are commonly associated with large-scale destruction of forests. In that case, you have to prove that you got those materials from places where the production didn't break local laws.

This new approach certainly could force businesses to act more eco-friendly and take more responsibility for properly researching their supply chain.

And if the demand for unethically sourced commodities dries up, then it might just start reversing an unsustainable trend.