As global climate negotiations intensify in the Brazilian Amazon at COP30, a new Ceres report has found that many companies in the sectors most exposed to deforestation risk are failing to take essential steps to eliminate forest and ecosystem loss from their supply chains — although a handful of major firms are proving that rapid progress is achievable.
The analysis, Corporate Progress on Deforestation Risk: Analysis for Investors, assesses the actions of 53 companies across commodities linked to deforestation and land conversion. It identifies clear examples of effective corporate practice, while also pointing to jurisdictional and landscape-level initiatives as a major opportunity to accelerate system-wide progress.
Key findings
Ceres found that:
- Ending deforestation in supply chains is possible: Five companies report at least one commodity supply chain that is 100% deforestation- and conversion-free.
- Some multinationals are nearing full compliance: Danone and Nestlé disclose more than 95% deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing for palm oil, soy, and timber, paper and pulp. Nestlé also reports a fully deforestation-free cattle supply chain and expanded monitoring and traceability in cocoa.
- Gaps persist across commodities: Companies are most transparent about progress on palm oil, while disclosure and risk management for cocoa lags significantly.
- Collaboration is increasing: Nearly half of assessed companies participate in jurisdictional or landscape initiatives, which Ceres identifies as essential to addressing systemic drivers of deforestation.
“High on the COP30 agenda, safeguarding forests and natural ecosystems is critical to the resilience of the global economy and for helping companies and investors to reach their climate and nature goals,” said Meryl Richards, programme director for food and forests at Ceres. “With many major companies committing to eliminate deforestation and conversion from their agricultural supply chains by 2025, this report shows where progress stands and where investor engagement is most needed.”
Growing risks to companies and investors
Land-use change — including forest clearance and the conversion of natural ecosystems for agriculture — is responsible for roughly 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions and up to 11% of global biodiversity loss. Ceres warns that unchecked deforestation could erode the value of major food and agriculture companies by as much as USD 150 billion by 2030.
The report evaluates companies’ progress on three proven strategies to reduce deforestation risk:
- Traceability and monitoring to credibly support deforestation-free claims.
- Rapid and effective management of non-compliance.
- Preventing and eliminating deforestation and conversion in sourcing landscapes.
“Companies that failed to meet their commitments should be ambitiously working to eliminate deforestation and conversion from their supply chains,” said Karen Mo, director of food and forests at Ceres. “With this report, investors have clearer insight into where companies are falling short — and where they can seize opportunities to strengthen resilience.”
The findings come as global attention at COP30 focuses on safeguarding forests, a central pillar of efforts to meet climate and nature targets.
