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The report finds that while some progress has been made in forest transparency and the adoption of demand-side regulations, overall improvements in forest governance are too slow to effectively reduce deforestation. It highlights critical failures in granting land rights to indigenous peoples and local communities, rising violence against land defenders, and endemic corruption. The document emphasizes that strong governance is a necessary condition for forest protection, noting that illegal deforestation remains prevalent in major producers of palm oil, soy, and beef.

The report finds that while some countries have strengthened forest laws, overall governance remains weak, particularly in poor nations. Illegal deforestation is endemic, driven by commercial agriculture for palm oil, soy, and beef. Progress in recognizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is slow, and the lack of secure tenure contributes to increased violence and land grabbing. The report emphasizes that strong governance and the empowerment of IPLCs are essential for effective forest protection.

The report finds that while some countries have strengthened forest laws, implementation remains slow and often undermined by corruption and a lack of political will. Illegal deforestation is driven largely by commercial agriculture, particularly in Brazil and Indonesia. Progress in recognizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is slow, and these groups face increasing violence and criminalization. While some emerging economies in Asia are adopting regulations to curb illegal timber imports, overall forest governance remains fragile, particularly in poorer nations.

The report identifies critical research gaps in sustainable consumption and production (SCP), focusing on three themes: cross-cutting systemic issues, natural resource management, and food waste and loss. It argues that political efforts must shift from increasing efficiency to decreasing overall consumption and calls for a more integrated, whole-supply-chain approach to research and policy.

The document details a high-level dialogue on the disparity between 'gray' finance (subsidies and investments driving deforestation) and 'green' finance for forest restoration. It highlights the systemic barriers facing small-scale forest enterprises, the need for better supply chain transparency to avoid stranded assets, and the potential for innovative financial models—such as blended finance and carbon monetization—to accelerate the goals of the New York Declaration on Forests.

The document examines five types of illegality—resource rights, labor rights, other laws, fraud, and corruption—across several global commodity chains. It provides case studies on beef, palm oil, pulp and paper, cocoa, shrimp, olive oil, dairy, and soy, highlighting how illegal practices drive deforestation, biodiversity loss, and labor abuse. The paper argues that illegality is an underappreciated threat that increases with global food demand and climate change, calling for precompetitive cooperation between governments and companies to ensure supply chain transparency.

The statement by Friends of the Earth International argues that the European Union is delaying and undermining the UN process to establish a legally binding treaty for transnational corporations. While civil society and many Global South nations support the treaty to end corporate impunity for human rights and environmental abuses, the EU has historically opposed the resolution and recently sought to restrict the intergovernmental working group's mandate. The author advocates for a 'Zero Draft' that includes civil and criminal liability for companies, supply chain transparency, and the primacy of human rights over trade agreements.

Friends of the Earth International criticizes the European Union for delaying and derailing UN negotiations for a binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations. While civil society and some European nations push for corporate accountability and legal obligations across supply chains, the EU is accused of attempting to reduce the working group's mandate and favoring voluntary mechanisms over binding law.

Friends of the Earth International criticizes the European Union for hindering the UN process to create a binding treaty for multinational corporations. The author contends that the EU is attempting to reduce the mandate of the UN working group and prefers voluntary guidelines over legal accountability. The document advocates for a treaty that includes civil and criminal liability for corporate executives, supply chain transparency, and the establishment of an International Human Rights Court to ensure justice for affected communities and the protection of land defenders.

The report evaluates the global viscose industry's transition to sustainable production, highlighting a divide between 'front-runner' brands adopting closed-loop standards and 'laggards'—including several luxury and low-cost retailers—who lack transparency. It specifically analyzes the commitments of major producers Lenzing and Aditya Birla Group, and the emerging Collaboration for Sustainable Development of Viscose in China, while arguing that current certifications like the EU Ecolabel and OEKO-TEX STeP are insufficient compared to EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) standards.

The report argues that the proliferation of certification labels creates consumer confusion and allows companies to greenwash their operations without achieving substantive environmental improvements. In fisheries, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friends of the Sea (FOS) are criticized for certifying overfished areas and lacking transparency. In the palm oil sector, programs like RSPO, ISCC, and ISPO are found to have failed in slowing deforestation or peatland drainage. In textiles, the Higg Index and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) are highlighted for weaknesses such as reliance on self-assessment and allowing GMO seeds. The authors call for a shift toward mandatory government regulations and a reform of certifications based on transparency, independence, holistic life-cycle approaches, and scientific standards.

The report assesses voluntary sustainability certifications in fisheries, palm oil, and textiles, concluding that many schemes act as 'greenwash' and fail to prevent deforestation, overfishing, or pollution. It argues that the proliferation of labels creates consumer confusion and a 'race to the bottom' in standards. The authors call for the abolition of ineffective schemes and a transition toward science-based, transparent, and holistic regulations that cover the entire product life-cycle.

The report examines voluntary sustainability certifications in the palm oil, fisheries, and textile industries, concluding that these schemes often lack transparency, lower their standards to increase volume, and fail to prevent deforestation or overfishing. It argues that certifications are being used as 'greenwashing' tools by corporations and governments and calls for a shift toward strict, independent, and comprehensive standards that cover the entire product life cycle, while emphasizing that voluntary initiatives cannot replace government regulation.

The document argues that the proliferation of voluntary certifications in the palm oil, fisheries, and textile sectors has created consumer confusion and a 'race to the bottom' in standards. It finds that these schemes often fail to stop deforestation, overfishing, or pollution, and are sometimes used by companies to mask unsustainable operations. The report calls for the abolition of most current schemes in favor of a few high-ambition, transparent, and science-based standards that complement, rather than replace, government regulation.

The roadmap urges brands to drive a transition to closed-loop viscose and modal manufacturing by 2023-25 to mitigate air and water pollution. It outlines a framework for responsible sourcing, including supply chain mapping, third-party monitoring, and the adoption of EU Best Available Technique (BAT) standards for chemical recovery and emission limits. The document emphasizes the need for brands to set hard deadlines for suppliers, ensure worker safety, and remediate historical environmental damage, particularly in high-volume production areas like China.

The Sustainable Ranching Initiative (SRI) works to conserve the Northern Great Plains by supporting sustainable land management practices among cattle ranchers. Since 2014, the SRI has provided over $180,000 in support to ranching communities, impacting over one million acres and reaching over 1,200 participants through educational events. The initiative also focuses on market-driven sustainability through the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB), aiming to create transparent supply chains and reward sustainable production. Conservation efforts are supported by bird surveys on over 60 ranches, protecting more than 600,000 acres of grassland that maintain water quality and biodiversity.

The report exposes the destructive nature of irresponsible rayon production, detailing water and air pollution, worker fatalities, and severe health issues in Asia. It identifies a direct link between these polluting factories—operated by conglomerates like Aditya Birla and Lenzing—and major global brands such as H&M, Zara, and ASOS. The document argues that while rayon is often marketed as a 'green' alternative, its current chemical-intensive production is unsustainable, and calls for brands to use their purchasing power to force a transition to closed-loop, non-toxic manufacturing systems.

The report exposes severe pollution from viscose production in Asia, where manufacturers dump untreated wastewater and emit toxic gases, impacting local health and ecosystems. It identifies direct sourcing links between these polluting sites and major brands like H&M and Zara, arguing that the 'green' image of viscose is misleading due to the use of hazardous chemicals like carbon disulphide. The authors call for a transition to closed-loop production systems and mandatory supply chain due diligence.

The report details how the rapid growth of the viscose industry in China, India, and Indonesia has led to severe water and air pollution, causing health crises such as cancer and birth defects in local communities. It identifies a lack of transparency in the fashion supply chain and finds that major brands, including H&M, Zara (Inditex), and ASOS, source materials from these polluting factories. The document argues that because the industry is highly concentrated—with 70% of global viscose produced by ten factories—major brands have the leverage to force a transition toward closed-loop production systems and less toxic chemicals.

The report argues that Burger King lacks transparency and effective policies to prevent deforestation in its supply chain, contrasting it with competitors like McDonald's. Through field investigations and satellite mapping, the authors link Burger King's suppliers—specifically soy traders Cargill and Bunge—to the destruction of the Brazilian Cerrado and Bolivian lowland forests. The document highlights the resulting loss of biodiversity, carbon emissions, and violence against indigenous peoples, while advocating for the expansion of the Brazilian Amazon Soy Moratorium to other Latin American ecosystems.