Norway has made a groundbreaking commitment by becoming the first nation globally to ban deforestation within its supply chains. This means that the Norwegian government will refuse to award contracts to companies that engage in clear-cutting forests or contribute to deforestation. It is a bold and unprecedented step toward protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices worldwide.

While many companies over the past few years have voluntarily stopped sourcing products linked to deforestation—such as palm oil, soy, beef, and timber—this is the first time a national government has taken such a definitive stance. Norway’s deforestation ban signals a new era where governments take on a direct role in combating forest destruction, moving beyond mere promises to enforceable policies.

The journey to this historic decision began more than five years ago at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York in 2014. There, Norway pledged alongside Germany and the United Kingdom to “promote national commitments that encourage deforestation-free supply chains, including through public procurement policies to sustainably source commodities.” Two years later, in 2016, Norway made that pledge official by declaring that its public procurement policies would henceforth exclude any companies involved in clear-cutting forests.

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Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, earning them the nickname “the planet’s lungs.” Norway’s bold move is consistent with its long-standing history of environmental stewardship, emphasizing the protection of vital forest ecosystems around the globe.

The Importance of Forests

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), forests cover approximately 31 percent of the Earth's land surface. They are indispensable to life on Earth, providing oxygen, absorbing harmful greenhouse gases, and supporting biodiversity. Deforestation is estimated to contribute nearly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major driver of climate change.

Beyond climate impacts, deforestation disrupts natural water cycles, causing changes in precipitation patterns, river flows, and increasing soil erosion. These changes can have cascading effects on agriculture, wildlife, and human communities.

Photo credit: ©Cassiano (Zapa) Zaparoli

In regions like Brazil, where forests are rapidly being destroyed and conflicts between farmers, ranchers, and wildlife escalate, iconic species like the jaguar are under immense threat. The loss of forest habitat jeopardizes countless animal species and endangers the livelihoods of 1.6 million people worldwide who depend directly on forests for food, water, medicine, clothing, and shelter. Approximately 80 percent of terrestrial animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive without their natural habitat.

Norway’s Long History of Environmental Aid

Despite their importance, forests have often been viewed as obstacles to development, leading to rampant deforestation. Each year, between 46,000 and 58,000 square miles of forest vanish globally—equivalent to losing about 48 football fields every single minute. The primary cause of this deforestation is agriculture. Farmers commonly clear land by slash-and-burn methods to create pastures for livestock, releasing massive amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Photo credit: ©Felipe Werneck/Ibama

Between 2000 and 2011, products such as beef, palm oil, soy, and timber from countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay were responsible for 40 percent of the world’s tropical deforestation and 44 percent of related carbon emissions. By halting government purchases of these commodities on a large scale, Norway is helping to slow this devastating trend.

Additionally, Norway has invested heavily in international partnerships to combat deforestation. For instance, in 2008, Norway pledged $1 billion to Brazil to protect the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most critical ecosystems on the planet. The Amazon has lost around 17 percent of its forest cover over the past 50 years. However, thanks to these investments, Brazil successfully reduced deforestation rates by 75 percent by 2015. This achievement prevented the loss of approximately 33,000 square miles of ancient rainforest and avoided the release of 3.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide—the equivalent of removing every car in the United States from the roads for an entire year.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon lauded the Brazil-Norway partnership as “an outstanding example of the kind of international collaboration we need to ensure the future sustainability of our planet.”

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The Urgent Need for More Action Worldwide

Despite such progress, forests worldwide remain under threat from illegal logging, poor forest management, and increasing demand for agricultural products. Norway’s bold example sets a powerful precedent, but more countries need to follow suit by adopting policies that protect forests and biodiversity at home and abroad.

In a related initiative, Norway’s parliament also urged the government to consider biodiversity protection in its investment decisions through the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world. Although the fund has previously considered climate change impacts, biodiversity was only recently integrated into its investment strategy—signaling a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship.

Looking Ahead

If current deforestation rates continue unchecked, the world’s rainforests could disappear entirely within the next 100 years, leading to catastrophic consequences for global climate stability and biodiversity. Norway’s leadership in banning deforestation within its supply chains is a significant and hopeful step towards changing that trajectory.

By setting this bold example, Norway encourages the global community—including governments, businesses, and individuals—to rethink how they source commodities and manage natural resources. Protecting the forests means protecting our planet’s future.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

Candy