Environmental sustainability researchers at NUS found that widely used environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings often fail to reflect companies' actual exposure to deforestation, highlighting the need to integrate satellite-based environmen... [3280 chars]

Environmental sustainability researchers at NUS found that widely used environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings often fail to reflect companies' actual exposure to deforestation, highlighting the need to integrate satellite-based environmental data into sustainable investing frameworks.

Phys.org

Satellite data reveal ESG scores track public image more than actual forest loss

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia’s wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago’s remaining tro

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Japan’s biomass energy boom threatens further deforestation in Indonesia

A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite ... [5493 chars]

A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.

Japan's biomass energy boom threatens further deforestation in Indonesia

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia’s wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago’s remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according ... [500 chars]

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country’s wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations. Data shows Japan is the biggest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia. Environmentalists criticize the Japanese government for continuing to subsidize biomass energy and the lack of due diligence to ensure that imported biomass materials aren't linked to deforestation. Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia’s wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago’s remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according ... [5936 chars]

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country’s wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the...

SFGATE

ISLAMABAD – A surge in Indonesia’s wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago’s remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to ne... [5450 chars]

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country’s wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations.

WDIV ClickOnDetroit

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Jakarta wants to boost crop production, risking the clearance of millions of hectares of forest. Yet, there are solutions that can increase production of rice and other staples without deforestation.

The Straits Times

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Image(s): Canva
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Times of India

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Hindustan Times

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British retailers, including big names like B&Q and Waitrose, are entangled in a controversy over selling barbecue charcoal linked to deforestation in Paraguay's Gran Chaco. Findings by Global Witness allege that the charcoal originates from trees cu... [647 chars]

Major British retailers are under scrutiny for selling barbecue charcoal sourced from deforested regions of Paraguay's Gran Chaco. An investigation by Global Witness uncovered links to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma, amidst concerns about environmental impacts and trade implications under the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Devdiscourse

Barbecue Charcoal Controversy: Deforestation and Trade Tensions

Environmental sustainability researchers at NUS found that widely used Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings often fail to reflect companies' actual exposure to deforestation, highlighting the need to integrate satellite-based environmental data into sustainable investing frameworks.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) on 14 September 2026, the study was led by Associate Professor L. Roman Carrasco from the Department of Biological Sciences, and conducted in partnership with Research Fellow Ms Yingtong Zhu, and Professor Johan Sulaeman from the NUS Sustainable and Green Finance Institute. The team investigated whether major ESG rating systems reflect companies' actual deforestation exposure.
Many investors today seek to direct their money towards companies that are responsible stewards of the environment and society. Companies are therefore given ESG ratings, which are meant to indicate whether a business is environmentally and socially responsible. These ratings increasingly influence investment decisions worldwide, but it remains unclear whether they accurately capture one of the biggest environmental impacts of businesses: deforestation.
A multi-source approach to measuring deforestation exposure
The researchers combined satellite-derived forest loss maps, company asset locations, forest-risk commodity supply-chain information, media coverage, and commercial ESG and financial characterises databases to examine the relationship between corporate deforestation and ESG scores. In total, they examined 18 overall ESG scores and 12 deforestation-related sub-scores from five major international providers alongside two independent measures of company-level deforestation.
The analyses included forest loss surrounding the assets of 13,841 companies worldwide between 2013 and 2024 and deforestation exposure of 210 companies through global supply chains for deforestation-risk commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef, pork, chicken and wood products between 2013 and 2020. The team also assessed whether deforestation-related media coverage, rather than actual deforestation, influenced ESG scores.
Ratings track public image, not forest loss
The study found no evidence that ESG ratings consistently capture companies' actual exposure to deforestation. Instead, ESG scores responded more strongly to media attention related to deforestation, whether positive coverage of companies' management actions, or negative coverage of deforestation scandals.
The researchers also found that companies involved in palm oil production were more likely to receive lower ESG scores for deforestation than companies associated with soy, pork, or chicken supply chains, suggesting potential commodity biases.
'This is the first study to evaluate multiple commercial ESG rating systems against independently measured corporate deforestation at the global scale. There is a need for ESG providers to integrate objective, spatially explicit deforestation information derived from satellite observations into future assessments, allowing investors to better contribute to reducing deforestation,' said Ms Zhu.
'Our study does not imply that ESG ratings are not useful as a tool to move capital away from companies behind deforestation. In fact, ESG ratings have high potential given their wide coverage of companies. The main problem is that ESG analyses do not incorporate geospatial data. If these data were to be included, ESG investing could be a gamechanger in halting deforestation globally,' added Assoc Prof Carrasco.

Environmental sustainability researchers at NUS found that widely used Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings often fail to reflect companies' actual exposure to deforestation,…

NUS study: ESG assessments overlook forest loss

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
The research highlights that current ESG ratings are excellent at tracking a company's reputation and public promises, but they may not fully account for its real-world deforestation footprint. Bridging this gap requires integrating objective, satellite-based data into the rating process. Credit: National University of Singapore
Environmental sustainability researchers at NUS found that widely used environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings often fail to reflect companies' actual exposure to deforestation, highlighting the need to integrate satellite-based environmental data into sustainable investing frameworks.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was led by associate professor L. Roman Carrasco from the Department of Biological Sciences and conducted in partnership with research fellow Yingtong Zhu and professor Johan Sulaeman from the NUS Sustainable and Green Finance Institute. The team investigated whether major ESG rating systems reflect companies' actual deforestation exposure.
Many investors today seek to direct their money toward companies that are responsible stewards of the environment and society. Companies are therefore given ESG ratings, which are meant to indicate whether a business is environmentally and socially responsible.
These ratings increasingly influence investment decisions worldwide, but it remains unclear whether they accurately capture one of businesses' biggest environmental impacts: deforestation.
A multi-source approach to measuring deforestation exposure
The researchers combined satellite-derived forest loss maps, company asset locations, forest-risk commodity supply-chain information, media coverage, and commercial ESG and financial characteristics databases to examine the relationship between corporate deforestation and ESG scores.
In total, they examined 18 overall ESG scores and 12 deforestation-related subscores from five major international providers alongside two independent measures of company-level deforestation.
The analyses included forest loss surrounding the assets of 13,841 companies worldwide between 2013 and 2024 and deforestation exposure of 210 companies through global supply chains for deforestation-risk commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef, pork, chicken and wood products between 2013 and 2020. The team also assessed whether deforestation-related media coverage, rather than actual deforestation, influenced ESG scores.
Ratings track public image, not forest loss
The study found no evidence that ESG ratings consistently capture companies' actual exposure to deforestation. Instead, ESG scores responded more strongly to media attention related to deforestation, whether positive coverage of companies' management actions or negative coverage of deforestation scandals.
The researchers also found that companies involved in palm oil production were more likely to receive lower deforestation-related ESG scores than companies associated with soy, pork or chicken supply chains, suggesting potential commodity biases.
"This is the first study to evaluate multiple commercial ESG rating systems against independently measured corporate deforestation at the global scale. There is a need for ESG providers to integrate objective, spatially explicit deforestation information derived from satellite observations into future assessments, allowing investors to better contribute to reducing deforestation," Zhu said.
"Our study does not imply that ESG ratings are not useful as a tool to move capital away from companies behind deforestation. In fact, ESG ratings have high potential given their wide coverage of companies. The main problem is that ESG analyses do not incorporate geospatial data. If these data were to be included, ESG investing could be a game changer in halting deforestation globally," added Carrasco.
Publication details
Yingtong Zhu et al, Corporate ESG assessments fail to capture actual deforestation exposure, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2526924123
Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Key concepts deforestation

Major British charcoal brand Big K's Paraguayan supplier sources timber from cattle farm that has deforested area size of Birmingham
Key findings
British charcoal brand Big K's primary international supplier sources from deforested land the size of Birmingham in Paraguay's Gran Chaco
Paraguay's Gran Chaco region has some of the highest deforestation rates in the world - this deforestation makes regional drought more likely, and threatens rare species like jaguars and tapirs
Big K has imported over 45 million kg of Paraguayan charcoal into the UK since 2021, when the UK's deforestation regulation was first proposed
British charcoal brand Big K - sold at major stores like B&Q and Waitrose - sources from a supplier linked to large-scale deforestation in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, South America's second largest forest, a new investigation from Global Witness has found.
As barbecues hit the headlines, the investigation reveals that Big K's primary international charcoal supplier - the Paraguayan firm, Taruma - purchases wood from a cattle farm that has cleared vast tracts of forest.
One of the largest farms Taruma sources its timber from in the Gran Chaco region and has cleared over 28,000 hectares (ha) of forest since 2011 – an area larger than Birmingham.
Another company that supplied Big K until at least 2023, Paben SA, has cleared more than 2,700 hectares in the Chaco since 2021. Global Witness estimates that it is legally permitted to destroy another 15,000 hectares on its production site, due to Paraguay's weak environmental laws. It continues to ship charcoal to the UK.
Since 2021, Big K has imported at least 45 million kg of Paraguayan charcoal into the UK, the year the UK's much delayed deforestation regulation was proposed.
The Paraguayan Chaco – a region where Big K's timber suppliers operate - has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world.
This deforestation threatens rare species like jaguars and tapirs, as well as the Ayoreo Totobiegosode people, the last tribe in South America living in voluntary isolation on the continent outside the Amazon.
Global Witness says the findings demonstrate the urgency in aligning proposed UK deforestation rules with the more robust European zero deforestation law (EUDR), which will require charcoal imports to be deforestation free when it comes into force in January 2027.
Flossie Boyd, Senior Campaigner at Global Witness said:
'These new findings show the serious damage that delayed government action is doing to life on this planet.
'The lack of urgency means that Big K – the UK's most recognisable barbecue brand – is free to source charcoal that's a product of deforestation in some of the most biodiverse and rich forests in the world like the Gran Chaco forest in Paraguay.
'The Government have said they'll move to introduce regulations next year, aiming to align more closely with the EU's stronger deforestation policy. However, our findings provide yet more proof that we can't afford to wait.'
When we reached out to Big K for comment they said 'each load [of charcoal] exported must be accompanied by a copy of the GUIA and INFONA [Forest Ministry] licence.'
'Big K teams cross reference this location against a map of the Chaco region to ensure it does not overlap with areas protected for indigenous populations. Our payments terms are linked to providing this paperwork and confirming compliance to local laws.'
The company reiterated the reply of supplier Paben SA that the company's charcoal was 'waste wood' and a byproduct of agricultural development.
Global Witness does not allege that the deforestation in Big K's supply chain is illegal, nor that Taruma or Paben SA's sourcing or deforestation has been carried out illegally.
However, the legality of these projects does not change the impact of deforestation in the Chaco on Paraguay's forest, biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples. Global Witness has highlighted the role of 'legal deforestation' in Paraguay's deforestation crisis in previous publications.

Major British charcoal brand Big K's Paraguayan supplier sources timber from cattle farm that has deforested area size of Birmingham

UK barbecues tied to destruction of South American forests

Major British charcoal brand Big K's Paraguayan supplier sources timber from cattle farm that has deforested area size of Birmingham
Deforestation for cattle farming in Paraguay. Taruma purchases timber from cattle farms to supply Big K. Global Witness
Charcoal for UK barbecues from destroyed Paraguayan forests Download Resource
As barbecues dominated UK headlines this summer, the charcoal fuelling them may have come from Paraguay's decimated Gran Chaco forest, a new Global Witness investigation can reveal.
Big K – a large charcoal brand whose products are sold by major UK stores such as B&Q and Waitrose – buys its materials from a company operating deep in Paraguay's Gran Chaco forest, the second largest in South America after the Amazon.
Our findings show that the environmental footprint of UK barbecues extends beyond the risk of wildfires. Big K's supply chain is exposed to deforestation abroad, and the UK law designed to ensure supply chains are free of deforestation remains unenforced five years after it was passed by Parliament.
The Paraguayan Chaco has some of the highest deforestation rates in the world and is home to the last tribe living in voluntary isolation on the continent outside the Amazon – the Ayoreo Totobiegosode. It is also a habitat for rare species such as the jaguar and tapir.
Big K is sold in many supermarkets and stores. Martin Rice / Alamy
Our analysis of export data shows that Big K has imported at least 45 million kg of Paraguayan charcoal since 2021, the year the UK's much delayed deforestation regulation was first proposed.
Paraguay's quebracho tree – a name that translates literally to 'axe-breaker' in English – is an incredibly dense hardwood valued by charcoal producers as it burns for long periods while releasing very little smoke.
Global Witness has previously exposed the beef, leather and collagen companies profiting from the destruction of the Gran Chaco – and we now find that Paraguayan charcoal companies are also contributing to the deforestation crisis.
Paraguayan deforestation exported to the UK
Big K's largest international charcoal supplier is the Paraguayan company Taruma, which is also the UK's largest supplier of Paraguayan charcoal, according to available trade data.
Taruma styles itself as a sustainable company 'that has worked for more than 13 years in the Gran Chaco with farms and property owners to turn forestry waste into opportunity.'
Environmental assessment documents seen by Global Witness show that the company operates 224 charcoal kilns near the town of Mariscal Estigarribia in the heart of the Chaco forest.
< A satellite image of Taruma's charcoal operations in the Chaco, located in Mariscal Estigarribia, Boquerón province. Google Earth.
Despite the company's sustainability claims, Global Witness analysis shows that Taruma buys large volumes of wood from deforested cattle farms, including one of the largest in Paraguay – owned by controversial company BrasilAgro, itself a subsidiary of agro-giant Cresud.
In 2024, Global Witness visited BrasilAgro's Paraguayan farm a one-hour drive north of Taruma's charcoal kilns in the densely forested Chaco district of Mariscal Estigarribia.
The enormous farm, which stretches over 60km2, was approved by Paraguay's sustainability ministry for cattle ranching and crop production.
But during our visit, we noticed that across the vast area where forest had been cleared, nothing was growing. Workers at the farm told us that none of the planned crops were growing due to a long drought.
Nothing appeared to be growing on BrasilAgro's farm (pictured) when Global Witness visited in 2026. Rampant deforestation may have worsened drought conditions. Global Witness
Argentinean climate scientist Matías Mastrangelo – a Chaco specialist – says that local deforestation makes drought more likely.
'When these processes of deforestation or degradation of vegetation occur, where that plant mass is lost, what one is losing is the connection – the water cycle of that vegetation links you to the atmosphere with the soil,' he tells us. 'The vegetation is the bridge.'
Overall, an analysis of satellite data shows that Cresud and BrasilAgro have cleared over 28,000 hectares (ha) of forest on the Chaco farm – an area larger than Birmingham.
Satellite imagery showing deforestation on BrasilAgro's Paraguayan farm between 2021-2026. Courtesy of Planet Labs
BrasilAgro's parent company Cresud is an Argentinean 'agricultural real estate' company. Its business model is based on buying cheap land, clearing it and selling it on when the land is accumulated in value.
We revealed last year that Cresud is responsible for over 170,000 ha of deforestation in South America – an area significantly larger than London – over the last 20 years, principally in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
Taruma 'does not itself clear forest, holds no land-clearing permits and plays no role in decisions by landowners to convert land,' the company said, as well as stressing the company's compliance with Paraguayan law in its sourcing practices.
'The alternative fate of this material is burning in the field or decomposition. Recovering it sustains employment in one of Paraguay's poorest regions, substitutes fossil fuels such as coaland coke where our product is used in the metallurgical industry, and is partly converted to biochar, a permanent carbon sink,' the company added.
The company confirmed that 'Taruma has recovered residual wood from Agropecuaria Moroti, a BrasilAgro property, since 2019; the bulk of that work took place between 2019 and 2022, and from 2022 to the present our activity there has continued only at small scale, covering fewer than 600 hectares in total over almost five years.
Our diligence applies to the specific parcels from which we recover wood: on every engagement we verify the property's environmental license, its approved land-use plan, its current standing with INFONA and MADES, and the guía forestal for every load.'
BrasilAgro declined to comment.
Paben SA enabled by Paraguay's weak deforestation laws
The second largest Paraguayan charcoal exporter to the UK – Paben SA – is also tainted by deforestation.
It was a supplier of Big K as recently as 2023 and has exported almost 50 million kg of charcoal to the UK since 2021, including this year.
Unlike Taruma, which buys raw materials from other farms, Paben SA owns and operates a 24,000-hectare farm in the Paraguayan Chaco – also comparable in size to major UK cities.
Through an analysis of satellite data, we found that the company has deforested over 2,700 ha of the Chaco in the last four years close to the Bolivian border. A significant proportion of this deforestation occurred during the years that Big K was sourcing from the company.
We estimate that the company is legally permitted to clear another 15,000 ha of land on the property, due to Paraguay's weak environmental laws.
Wood from Chaco forests felled for cattle ranching is the raw material for much of Paraguay's charcoal exported to the UK. Global Witness
Much like Taruma, Paben SA's reply to Global Witness emphasised the legality of the project.
'Our entire operation is conducted within the Paraguayan legal framework, under valid environmental licenses issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES) and compliance audits approved by the competent authority,' the company stated.
Paben also claimed that the deforestation on its farm is for agricultural use and that charcoal is a 'byproduct'. This appears to contradict the company's initial land use authorization, which specifically says the project focuses on agriculture and charcoal production, authorizing the building of charcoal kilns on site.
The company also said it was unable to verify the deforestation figure cited by Global Witness or the total amount of charcoal exported to the UK since 2021.
Deforestation on the Paben SA farm in Boqueron, Chaco, between 2021- September 2026. Courtesy of Planet Labs
Big K in the spotlight
Big K emphasises its commitment to sustainability on its website and includes a section on sourcing from the Gran Chaco.
'We believe that responsible sourcing is achieved by only using trees that are due to be cut down,' the statement reads.
'Although there may be some suppliers that buy illegally sourced charcoal, our due diligence procedures ensure that that we do not engage with these suppliers in any way. The charcoal we source is government controlled, coming from land that is cleared for cattle rearing.'
Big K claims that its teams 'cross reference this location against a map of the Chaco region to ensure it does not overlap with areas protected for indigenous populations'.
'Each load [of charcoal] exported must be accompanied by a copy of the GUIA and INFONA [Forest Ministry] licence. Big K teams cross reference this location against a map of the Chaco region to ensure it does not overlap with areas protected for indigenous populations. Our payments terms are linked to providing this paperwork and confirming compliance to local laws,' the company said in response to the allegations.
The company reiterated the reply of supplier Paben SA that the company's charcoal was 'waste wood' and a byproduct of agricultural development.
Global Witness does not allege that the deforestation in Big K's supply chain is illegal, nor that Taruma or Paben SA's sourcing or deforestation has been carried out illegally.
However, the legality of these projects does not change the impact of deforestation in the Chaco on Paraguay's forest, biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples – Global Witness has highlighted the role of 'legal deforestation' in Paraguay's deforestation crisis in previous publications.
Deforestation cleared through burning in the Gran Chaco, likely for cattle pasture. Global Witness
The issue stems from Paraguay's weak 1973 Forest Law, which allows firms to deforest 75% of their properties legally. This law has led to an ecological disaster, permitting companies to clear the Chaco on a massive scale.
Pedro*, who works for an environmental NGO in Paraguay, told us in 2024 that Paraguay's environmental law was "antiquated" and no longer fit for purpose.
'Deforestation can have the same impacts on local ecosystems, local communities, biodiversity, and our climate regardless of whether local laws treat it as legal or illegal,' says ClientEarth lawyer Michael Rice, an expert on deforestation legislation.
'Knowing what we know about the critical importance of preserving forests for our economic and physical security, countries like the UK should be ambitiously cutting their contribution to deforestation, regardless of how it is classified under local laws.'
Weaknesses ahead in the UK Environment Act
The flawed UK legislation Rice refers to is the UK Environment Act passed in 2021 by Boris Johnson's government - the UK's effort to tackle its deforestation footprint.
The law only aims to ban 'illegal' deforestation and does not include provisions for charcoal products.
As the deforestation we discovered in Paraguay is 'legal deforestation', compliant with weak national environmental legislation. The charcoal produced with wood from BrasilAgro's Paraguayan farm could still enter the UK legally, even if charcoal was included in the law.
There are reportedly 500 bird species in the Gran Chaco, but many of them are under threat by agricultural expansion. Global Witness
'Even if the UK actually implemented the Environment Act passed 5 years ago, products derived from widespread deforestation in Paraguay would still be free to come into Britain,' says UK NGO Forest Coalition head Cassie Dummett, who leads an alliance of 10 civil society organisations focused on reversing deforestation around the world, including Global Witness.
'Unlike the new European deforestation law, the UK Environment Act only bans products originating from illegally deforested lands.
If the UK does not move rapidly to implement a zero-deforestation standard, foreign governments could simply legalise deforestation to continue to access the British market,' Dummett adds.
Yet, for now, the law's weakness is purely academic.
Five years after the law was passed, neither Johnson nor his successors have brought in the secondary legislation needed to enforce the Environment Act – allowing products from deforested lands to continue flowing into Britain.
We have found that, since 2021, the UK's failure to enforce the act has contributed to deforestation of an area equivalent to the size of Leeds.
The outgoing Starmer administration recently said it wanted to enforce the regulation as soon as possible, with a longer-term view of aligning the law with the significantly more robust EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Unlike the UK law, the EUDR bans the sale of products from any deforested land.
The European law also explicitly covers charcoal products, while the wording of the UK's 2021 Environment Act does not mention charcoal at all. Whether the UK's alignment with the EUDR will extend to including charcoal within its new law's scope remains to be seen.
The EUDR itself is scheduled to come into force at the end of 2026 after two years of delay, but it is unclear whether the UK government will also adopt the same timeline.
'These new findings show the serious damage that delayed government action is doing to life on this planet,' says Flossie Boyd, a Senior Campaigner at Global Witness.
'The lack of urgency means that Big K – the UK's most recognisable barbecue brand – is free to source charcoal linked to deforestation in some of the most biodiverse and rich forests in the world, like the Gran Chaco forest in Paraguay.
'The Government have said they'll move to introduce regulations next year, aiming to align more closely with the EU's stronger deforestation policy. However, our findings provide yet more proof that we can't afford to wait.'
*This name has been changed at the request of the interviewee.
Charcoal for UK barbecues from destroyed Paraguayan forests Download Resource
Authors
Charlie Hammans
Investigator – Forests

Charcoal for UK barbecues from destroyed Paraguayan forests

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 land clearing cases with the majority linked to beef production.
The native bushland bulldozed is more than 33,000 hectares, which is the size of ten Sydney Harbours.
It included Gondwana-era rainforest and critically endangered woodlands that provide habitat for threatened species such as quolls and koalas.
"The Bulldozers and broken promises report is just a snapshot of Australia's deforestation problem, with a minority of laggards in the beef industry ensuring Australia keeps its title as a global deforestation hotspot," said ACF's deforestation expert and report author Nathaniel Pelle.
"More forest is bulldozed in Queensland for beef by those few laggards than for palm oil in Indonesia."
The largest case of beef-related deforestation exceeded 1,700 hectares, at Wombinoo Station in the Great Barrier Reef catchment near Cairns. It's not the first time deforestation has been detected on the property.
On average, almost half the clearing in Queensland occurs in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
"Our most iconic reef is being choked to death by muddy sediment caused by the bulldozing of trees upstream - it is unacceptable for this level of destruction to be still happening, despite recent law changes," Mr Pelle said.
This investigation identified 11 cases on beef properties in the reef catchment, with clearing still ongoing in July 2026 on at least one property at Hervey Range west of Townsville.
"Flying over the property at Hervey Range you could see firsthand the bulldozing of mature eucalypt trees right up to the edge of waterways that flow into the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Pelle said.
It appears federal approvals were not granted for any of the properties exposed in this investigation. Around half occurred after reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in December 2025.
The investigation, which involved 1625 citizen scientists, found the bulldozed forests also included habitat for threatened species such as koalas, quolls, greater gliders and pink cockatoos.
Who's to blame?
Australia's biggest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, promised to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains by the end of 2025, but both have conceded in their 2026 sustainability reports that they have not implemented those targets. McDonald's, Australia's biggest beef purchaser also has a deforestation target it is yet to implement.
"If supermarkets and fast food chains can't trace the beef they sell to deforestation-free properties, neither they nor their customers can know if it's linked to the destruction of koalas' homes or contributing to the erosion that is choking the reef," Mr Pelle said.
"To protect native animals like the koala and save the reef, every sausage and steak sold by Coles and Woolworths, and every burger at Hungry Jack's and McDonald's, should be traceable to one of the many farmers who are deforestation-free."
Read the report: Bulldozers and broken promises
Image: Muddy sediment runs out to the Great Barrier Reef, suffocating coral and marine life. Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of the Tully, Murray and Herbert River plumes, 6 February 2025, extracted by TropWater/James Cook University.

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation

ACF Probe Reveals Supermarkets' Empty Deforestation Goals

UK retailers stock charcoal linked to Paraguay deforestation, group says
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Ambitious schemes to halt deforestation have come and gone since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, but the problem rages on, with latest data showing that the world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary forest in 2025, equivalent to more than 11 football fields per minute. Tropical primary forest loss is 46% higher than a decade ago.
EU deforestation law to force compliance even on non-EU coffee supply chains, study finds
The EU's new anti-deforestation law will push many coffee firms to ensure all their products meet the bloc's rules, not just ​those destined specifically for EU markets, according to a study by ‌the non-profit Trase.
Brazil eucalyptus industry faces uncertainty over delayed curbs on native wood fuel use
An agreement aimed at phasing out the use of native forest wood for energy generation in Brazil's corn ethanol plants has been put on hold, ​a reforestation industry association told Reuters, creating uncertainty for investments in eucalyptus ‌plantations.
Ivory Coast's delayed cocoa crop could mean congested ports ahead of EU rules, sources say
Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Council is concerned a delayed start to the 2026/27 main cocoa crop could lead to port congestion ​as exporters rush to ship before stricter European Union deforestation rules take effect ‌at the year-end, industry sources said.
West Africa cocoa sector struggles to meet EU anti-deforestation rules, raising supply concerns
Ojo Ayaninuola, a small-scale cocoa farmer from Akure in southwestern Nigeria, was initially ​reluctant to let exporters map and geolocate his farm as part of measures to comply with a looming EU anti-deforestation law.
Brazil's Mombak delivers early to Google, other buyers in boost for carbon removal credits
Brazilian reforestation startup Mombak said on Tuesday it had delivered its first Amazon carbon removal credits more than two years ahead of schedule, a ​milestone that could help build confidence in a market long plagued by concerns ‌over project quality and delayed deliveries.
Colombia's 2025 forest loss hits two-decade low, government says
Colombia recorded its lowest deforestation levels in two decades between 2022 and 2025, with forest loss in 2025 ​falling to 119,483 hectares (295,249 acres), the Environment Ministry and ‌the country's Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies said on Friday.
The promise and peril of 'paperisation'
In a world where fossil-based, single-use plastic packaging is viewed as the antithesis of a circular, resource-efficient future, paperisation has become a hot topic of debate at packaging industry events.
How Olam Food Ingredients is waging a digital fight against deforestation
Deforestation is a brutally physical affair. Whether uprooted by earthmovers, severed by chainsaws or burned to a crisp by targeted fires, a tree's destruction is violent and final.
EU adds some palm oil products to deforestation law, removes leather
EU imports of palm oil derivatives will face the bloc's anti-deforestation rules from December 2027, while ​leather will be exempted from the law, the European ‌Commission said on Monday.
To stick, the EU's deforestation regulation needs to protect forests without sidelining small farmers
When the European Union passed its groundbreaking deforestation regulation (EUDR) in 2023, it was based on a simple premise: if you want to sell certain commodities into the European market, you must prove they are not contributing to deforestation or forest degradation. Forests have long been under pressure, and the production of cocoa, coffee, palm oil and other commodities plays a significant role in that loss.
UK government plans new rules to tackle illegal deforestation
Britain is planning new rules to ensure that everyday products sold in ​the country, including coffee and cocoa, do ‌not contribute to illegal deforestation globally, the government said on Tuesday.
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Ivory Coast cocoa traceability rates fail to improve as EU anti-deforestation law looms
The amount of Ivorian cocoa that can be traced back to where it was grown remains at just under half, calling into ​question how the world's top cocoa grower will manage to comply with the EU's looming ‌anti-deforestation law, according to a new analysis released on Tuesday by the non-profit Trase.
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Reuters.com is your online source for the latest news stories and current events, ensuring our readers up to date with any breaking news developments

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MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sep 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue ​charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco , part of South America's second-largest forest, ‌according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The sub-tropical dry forest of ​Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rain forest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
Waitrose and ​B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through ⁠the EU-Mercosur agreement , at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, ​Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 ​hectares of forest, an area larger than Malta.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not ​clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional ​climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the ‌world's ⁠highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, in July unveiled its first national forestry policy, admitting decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale of environmentally questionable products to the UK may hurt ​Paraguay's ambitions to sell other ​products to the EU under ⁠an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked ​charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked to illegal deforestation. It ​applies only to ⁠products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on December 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing ⁠was legal.
The ​UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not ​immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments , including France, Austria and Poland , have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems ​such as the Gran Chaco.

Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue ​charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, part of South America's second-largest forest, ‌according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.

UK retailers stock charcoal linked to Paraguay deforestation, group says

This story was originally published by Sentient.
Brazilians will soon head to the polls to elect their next president, and the two leading candidates' environmental policies couldn't be more different. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, usually referred to as Lula, has dramatically reduced deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon over the last four years, but his main opponent in the race wants to do the exact opposite. Brazil has made serious gains in fighting deforestation under Lula. Is all of that about to come to an end?
The Amazon rainforest, the majority of which is in Brazil, is an incredibly important resource in the fight against global warming, as its roughly 390 billion trees capture around 2.4 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the air every year, preventing it from warming the atmosphere. Deforestation is threatening the rainforest's ability to remove carbon, and the country's next president will play a major role in determining the future of Brazil's forests.
Up to two rounds of voting will determine Brazil's next president. The first, on Oct. 4, will include a wide array of candidates. If none of them win a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff vote to be held on Oct. 25. Polling strongly suggests that Lula and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro will advance to the runoff, and that when they do, the vote will be extremely close.
Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of Jair Bolsonaro, Lula's predecessor. A pro-development politician who largely opposes environmental regulations, Jair Bolsonaro spurred an enormous increase in deforestation during his presidency, and his son is expected to pursue a similar path if he wins.
What drives deforestation in Brazil?
People deforest land for a number of reasons, including logging, gold mining and palm oil production. But beef production is by far the leading driver of deforestation worldwide and in the Brazilian Amazon specifically, with developers clearing trees to make way for cattle pastures.
The country's next president will play a major role in determining the future of Brazil's forests.
Deforestation has a number of serious environmental consequences. Trees can help keep global temperatures in check by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but when they're removed, that benefit disappears. Burning the trees down, a common method of deforestation, releases the carbon dioxide the trees had trapped back into the atmosphere. Research also points to another loss: once the forest has been cleared, it loses the ability to store carbon for the future too (unless it is rewilded), something researchers describe as a 'carbon opportunity cost.' The damage is happening to other uncultivated landscapes too, like the Cerrado, also located primarily in Brazil.
Clearing forests is also disastrous for the animals who live, breed and hunt in them. In 2020, forest fires in the Pantanal region of the Brazilian Amazon killed an estimated 17 million vertebrates — and that was just one region in one year. A 2021 report from the Science Panel for the Amazon found that more than 10,000 species of plants and animals in the Amazon are at risk of extinction due to deforestation. This type of 'mutilation of the tree of life…is a serious threat to the stability of civilization,' because it disrupts the food webs and ecosystems that humans rely on for food and a livable environment, researchers wrote in 2021.
Deforestation under Jair Bolsonaro
Many Brazilians make their living working in agriculture, logging or gold mining — industries that often require deforestation to expand. These folks don't want restrictions on deforestation to affect their livelihoods, and neither do the companies that profit from clearing and repurposing forested land.
Because of this, politicians like presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro's father and Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, support making it easier to deforest the Amazon. Jair Bolsonaro made several moves to increase and expand deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon during his single four-year term as president. He sharply reduced enforcement of environmental regulations aimed at protecting the Amazon, reduced deforestation monitoring, cut the budget of the country's main environmental agency and appointed pro-development politicians to oversee environmental and agricultural policies.
'He believed that deforesting the Amazon is the road to development and progress.'
Jair Bolsonaro also suspended the Amazon Fund, a government initiative that solicits donations and investments to combat deforestation and protect the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, he cut staff at the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, which helps enforce the country's environmental regulations.
'[Jair] Bolsonaro was in fact very clearly in favor of increasing Amazon deforestation,' Steve Schwartzman, leader of the Environmental Defense Fund's tropical forests initiatives, tells Sentient. 'He thought that Brazil did have a serious problem with deforestation: There wasn't enough of it. He believed that deforesting the Amazon is the road to development and progress, and consequently, he did everything he could to dismantle and disable Brazil's law enforcement capacity in the Amazon.'
Under Jair Bolsonaro, who once blamed 'environmental psychosis' for popular opposition to deforestation, annual deforestation hit a 15-year-high. It also rose by 60% during his term compared with the four-year average of his predecessor. In total, more than two billion trees in the Amazon were destroyed during his presidential term.
But in 2022, Jair Bolsonaro lost reelection to Lula, who immediately reversed course to protect the country's rainforests.
How Lula has tackled deforestation of the Amazon
In Brazil, presidents are restricted to two consecutive terms, then, after at least a one-term gap, they can be reelected. Lula served two terms as president from 2003 to 2011, during which he aggressively pursued an anti-deforestation agenda. He continued along this path after returning to office in 2023.
Some of Lula's recent environmental efforts involved undoing Jair Bolsonaro's policies. Lula appointed environmentalist Marina Silva, who'd served as his Environment and Climate Change minister in the 2000s, back to her old position. He reestablished the Amazon Fund, increased enforcement of anti-deforestation policies and stepped up raids of illegal deforestation operations.
Lula also reinstated the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon, which he had implemented during his previous terms but was revoked by Jair Bolsonaro. In addition, he created the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change to coordinate environmental enforcement activities between agencies.
These endeavors paid off: During Lula's first year in office, deforestation in Brazil fell by 50%. In the first half of 2026, it reached its lowest levels in a decade.
What will happen if Lula loses?
Although Flávio Bolsonaro hasn't spoken at length about deforestation during his campaign, there are strong signs that he'll continue his father's approach to the issue if elected.
'Flávio Bolsonaro, like his father, can do a lot of damage — and if elected, he very likely will,' Schwartzman says. 'His positions are very consistent with those of his father.'
If Flávio Bolsonaro wins, he could reverse many of the course corrections Lula has implemented by reinstating his father's policies.
'Flávio Bolsonaro, like his father, can do a lot of damage.'
But even if Flávio Bolsonaro becomes president, Schwartzman says the situation may not be as dire as it seems. 'A lot of people think that Brazil, back in the day, reduced deforestation a lot, but then Bolsonaro came into office and blew that all away,' he says. 'That's not actually the case.'
Although Jair Bolsonaro's presidency was certainly a setback to anti-deforestation efforts, and his policies chipped away significantly at the progress Lula had made in the 2000s, it didn't walk back all of that headway.
'Between 2004 and 2012, [Lula's administration] reduced Amazon deforestation by 80%, which ended up being the equivalent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about five gigatons,' says Schwartzman, who co-authored a paper on this topic; for context, global carbon dioxide emissions were around 38 gigatons in 2025. 'In spite of everything that [Jair] Bolsonaro did, Brazil is still the world's single-greatest greenhouse gas emissions reducer, because of what they did [under Lula's presidencies].'
Beyond the presidency
Brazil's policies aren't set solely by its president, as Congress plays a major role too.
Lula has had to work with a Congress that's largely hostile to environmental protections. In 2025, lawmakers passed a sweeping set of laws that would dramatically reduce licensing requirements and regulations for developers in the Amazon. Lula vetoed many components of the legislation, but Congress overrode his vetoes. The 'devastation bill,' as its opponents call it, is now in front of the Supreme Court, with the country's Federal Public Defender's Office arguing that parts of it are unconstitutional.
The bill 'essentially gutted the regulations on licensing large-scale infrastructure,' Schwartzman says. 'That's something that could have a very serious effect' if upheld by the court.
Despite the actions of Congress and Flávio Bolsonaro, it's worth noting that deforestation is unpopular in Brazil: In a 2022 poll, 74% of Brazilians said deforestation of the Amazon is a 'very serious' problem.
'Not so long ago, people in Brazil thought that deforestation was the pathway to progress,' Schwartzman says. 'The very large majority of the population now, and for quite some time, does not think that anymore.'
All of this is to say that regardless of who wins the vote, Brazil's president won't have unilateral power to dictate the country's path forward on deforestation. The next president will also be accountable to Congress, the courts and the Brazilian people.

If Flávio Bolsonaro becomes president, he could reinstate his father's policies and reverse Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's course corrections.

On the Ballot in Brazil: The Future of the Amazon

Australian Conservation Foundation
Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 cases of deforestation with the majority linked to beef production.
The native bushland bulldozed is more than 33,000 hectares which is the size of ten Sydney Harbours.
It included Gondwana-era rainforest and critically endangered woodland that provide habitat for threatened species such as quolls and koalas.
"The Bulldozing and Broken Promises report is just a snapshot of Australia's deforestation problem, with a minority of laggards in the beef industry ensuring Australia keeps its title as a global deforestation hotspot," ACF deforestation expert and report author Nathaniel Pelle said.
"More forest is bulldozed in Queensland for beef, by those few laggards, than for palm oil in Indonesia.
The largest case of beef-related deforestation exceeded 1,700 hectares, at Wombinoo Station in the Great Barrier Reef catchment near Cairns and it's not the first time deforestation has been caught on the property.
On average, almost half of clearing in Queensland occurs in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
"Our most iconic reef is being choked to death by muddy sediment caused by the bulldozing of trees upstream - it is unacceptable that this level of destruction is still happening despite recent law changes," Mr Pelle said.
Eleven cases were identified on beef properties in the Reef catchment in this investigation, with clearing still ongoing in July 2026 on at least one property at Hervey Range west of Townsville.
"Flying over the property at Hervey Range you could see first hand the bulldozing of mature Eucalypt trees right up to the edge of waterways that flow into the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Pelle said.
It appears federal approvals were not in place for any of the properties exposed in our investigation, and around half occurred after reforms of the EPBC Act in December 2025.
The investigation, which involved 1625 citizen scientists, found the bulldozed forests included habitat for threatened species such as koalas, quolls, greater gliders and pink cockatoos.
Who's to blame?
Australia's biggest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths promised to eliminate deforestation from their supply chain by the end of 2025, but both have conceded in their 2026 sustainability reports they have not implemented those targets. McDonald's, Australia's biggest beef purchaser also has a deforestation target that it is yet to implement.
"If supermarkets and fast food chains can't trace the beef they sell to deforestation-free properties, neither they nor their customers can know if it's linked to the destruction of koalas' homes or contributing to the erosion that is choking the Reef," Mr Pelle said.

ACF Probe Reveals Supermarkets' Weak Deforestation Goals

By Seth Millstein, Sentient Media
Brazilians will soon head to the polls to elect their next president, and the two leading candidates' environmental policies couldn't be more different. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, usually referred to as Lula, has dramatically reduced deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon over the last four years, but his main opponent in the race wants to do the exact opposite. Brazil has made serious gains in fighting deforestation under Lula. Is all of that about to come to an end?
The Amazon rainforest, the majority of which is in Brazil, is an incredibly important resource in the fight against global warming, as its roughly 390 billion trees capture around 2.4 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the air every year, preventing it from warming the atmosphere. Deforestation is threatening the rainforest's ability to remove carbon, and the country's next president will play a major role in determining the future of Brazil's forests.
Up to two rounds of voting will determine Brazil's next president. The first, on October 4, will include a wide array of candidates. If none of them win a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff vote to be held on October 25. Polling strongly suggests that Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro will advance to the runoff, and that when they do, the vote will be extremely close.
Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of Jair Bolsonaro, Lula's predecessor. A pro-development politician who largely opposes environmental regulations, Jair Bolsonaro spurred an enormous increase in deforestation during his presidency, and his son is expected to pursue a similar path if he wins.
People deforest land for a number of reasons, including logging, gold mining and palm oil production. But beef production is by far the leading driver of deforestation worldwide and in the Brazilian Amazon specifically, with developers clearing trees to make way for cattle pastures.
Deforestation has a number of serious environmental consequences. Trees can help keep global temperatures in check by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but when they're removed, that benefit disappears. Burning the trees down, a common method of deforestation, releases the carbon dioxide the trees had trapped back into the atmosphere. Research also points to another loss: once the forest has been cleared, it loses the ability to store carbon for the future too (unless it is rewilded), something researchers describe as a 'carbon opportunity cost.' The damage is happening to other uncultivated landscapes too, like the Cerrado, also located primarily in Brazil.
Clearing forests is also disastrous for the animals who live, breed and hunt in them. In 2020, forest fires in the Pantanal region of the Brazilian Amazon killed an estimated 17 million vertebrates — and that was just one region in one year. A 2021 report from the Science Panel for the Amazon found that more than 10,000 species of plants and animals in the Amazon are at risk of extinction due to deforestation. This type of 'mutilation of the tree of life…is a serious threat to the stability of civilization,' because it disrupts the food webs and ecosystems that humans rely on for food and a livable environment, researchers wrote in 2021.
Many Brazilians make their living working in agriculture, logging or gold mining — industries that often require deforestation to expand. These folks don't want restrictions on deforestation to affect their livelihoods, and neither do the companies that profit from clearing and repurposing forested land.
Because of this, politicians like presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro's father and Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, support making it easier to deforest the Amazon. Jair Bolsonaro made several moves to increase and expand deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon during his single four-year term as president. He sharply reduced enforcement of environmental regulations aimed at protecting the Amazon, reduced deforestation monitoring, cut the budget of the country's main environmental agency and appointed pro-development politicians to oversee environmental and agricultural policies.
Jair Bolsonaro also suspended the Amazon Fund, a government initiative that solicits donations and investments to combat deforestation and protect the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, he cut staff at the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, which helps enforce the country's environmental regulations.
'[Jair] Bolsonaro was in fact very clearly in favor of increasing Amazon deforestation,' Steve Schwartzman, leader of the Environmental Defense Fund's tropical forests initiatives, tells Sentient. 'He thought that Brazil did have a serious problem with deforestation: There wasn't enough of it. He believed that deforesting the Amazon is the road to development and progress, and consequently, he did everything he could to dismantle and disable Brazil's law enforcement capacity in the Amazon.'
Under Jair Bolsonaro, who once blamed 'environmental psychosis' for popular opposition to deforestation, annual deforestation hit a 15-year-high. It also rose by 60% during his term compared with the four-year average of his predecessor. In total, more than two billion trees in the Amazon were destroyed during his presidential term.
But in 2022, Jair Bolsonaro lost reelection to Lula, who immediately reversed course to protect the country's rainforests.
In Brazil, presidents are restricted to two consecutive terms, then, after at least a one-term gap, they can be reelected. Lula served two terms as president from 2003 to 2011, during which he aggressively pursued an anti-deforestation agenda. He continued along this path after returning to office in 2023.
Some of Lula's recent environmental efforts involved undoing Jair Bolsonaro's policies. Lula appointed environmentalist Marina Silva, who'd served as his Environment and Climate Change minister in the 2000s, back to her old position. He reestablished the Amazon Fund, increased enforcement of anti-deforestation policies and stepped up raids of illegal deforestation operations.
Lula also reinstated the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon, which he had implemented during his previous terms but was revoked by Jair Bolsonaro. In addition, he created the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change to coordinate environmental enforcement activities between agencies.
These endeavors paid off: During Lula's first year in office, deforestation in Brazil fell by 50%. In the first half of 2026, it reached its lowest levels in a decade.
Although Flávio Bolsonaro hasn't spoken at length about deforestation during his campaign, there are strong signs that he'll continue his father's approach to the issue if elected.
'Flávio Bolsonaro, like his father, can do a lot of damage — and if elected, he very likely will,' Schwartzman says. 'His positions are very consistent with those of his father.'
If Flávio Bolsonaro wins, he could reverse many of the course corrections Lula has implemented by reinstating his father's policies.
But even if Flávio Bolsonaro becomes president, Schwartzman says the situation may not be as dire as it seems. 'A lot of people think that Brazil, back in the day, reduced deforestation a lot, but then Bolsonaro came into office and blew that all away,' he says. 'That's not actually the case.'
Although Jair Bolsonaro's presidency was certainly a setback to anti-deforestation efforts, and his policies chipped away significantly at the progress Lula had made in the 2000s, it didn't walk back all of that headway.
'Between 2004 and 2012, [Lula's administration] reduced Amazon deforestation by 80%, which ended up being the equivalent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about five gigatons,' says Schwartzman, who co-authored a paper on this topic; for context, global carbon dioxide emissions were around 38 gigatons in 2025. 'In spite of everything that [Jair] Bolsonaro did, Brazil is still the world's single-greatest greenhouse gas emissions reducer, because of what they did [under Lula's presidencies].'
Brazil's policies aren't set solely by its president, as Congress plays a major role too.
Lula has had to work with a Congress that's largely hostile to environmental protections. In 2025, lawmakers passed a sweeping set of laws that would dramatically reduce licensing requirements and regulations for developers in the Amazon. Lula vetoed many components of the legislation, but Congress overrode his vetoes. The 'devastation bill,' as its opponents call it, is now in front of the Supreme Court, with the country's Federal Public Defender's Office arguing that parts of it are unconstitutional.
The bill 'essentially gutted the regulations on licensing large-scale infrastructure,' Schwartzman says. 'That's something that could have a very serious effect' if upheld by the court.
Despite the actions of Congress and Flávio Bolsonaro, it's worth noting that deforestation is unpopular in Brazil: In a 2022 poll, 74% of Brazilians said deforestation of the Amazon is a 'very serious' problem.
'Not so long ago, people in Brazil thought that deforestation was the pathway to progress,' Schwartzman says. 'The very large majority of the population now, and for quite some time, does not think that anymore.'
All of this is to say that regardless of who wins the vote, Brazil's president won't have unilateral power to dictate the country's path forward on deforestation. The next president will also be accountable to Congress, the courts and the Brazilian people.
This article originally appeared in Sentient at https://sentientmedia.org/deforestation-is-on-the-ballot-in-brazils-election/.
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Are four years of pro-environment policies about to come to an end?

Deforestation Is on the Ballot in Brazil's Presidential Election

MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers, ​including B&Q and Waitrose, are selling barbecue charcoal from trees cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco , according ‌to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The subtropical dry forest of Gran ​Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rainforest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
In response, a Waitrose spokesperson ​said all the charcoal it sells complies with standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent forest ⁠certification system.
B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement , at a time ​of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in ​the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) of forest.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to ​requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our ​operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief ‌Executive Rahmeen ⁠Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, unveiled in July its first national forestry policy, acknowledging decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale ​of charcoal to the UK may ​hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell ⁠other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the ​UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked ​to illegal deforestation. It ⁠applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on December 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the ⁠clearing was ​legal.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not ​immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments , including France, Austria and Poland , have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems ​such as the Gran Chaco.

Major British retailers, ​including B&Q and Waitrose, are selling barbecue charcoal from trees cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, according ‌to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.

By Iñigo Alexander and Daniela Desantis
MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sep 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, part of South America's second-largest forest, according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The sub-tropical dry forest of Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rain forest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
Waitrose and B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement, at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares of forest, an area larger than Malta.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, in July unveiled its first national forestry policy, admitting decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale of environmentally questionable products to the UK may hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
DEFORESTATION, LEGISLATION AND TRADE
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked to illegal deforestation. It applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on December 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing was legal.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments, including France, Austria and Poland, have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems such as the Gran Chaco.

Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, part of South America's second-largest...

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations. [...]
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite…
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according
NewsFinale
NewsFinale Journal
ISLAMABAD – Indonesia's expanding wood pellet and wood chip industry is fueling fresh concerns over deforestation, with environmental groups warning that the country's remaining tropical forests, biodiversity-rich habitats and Indigenous territories are increasingly at risk. The findings come from a new satellite-based analysis conducted by environmental nongovernmental organizations. Biomass energy — largely produc…

A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land…

Japan's Wood Pellet Imports Drive Deforestation in Indonesia

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 cases of deforestation with the majority linked to beef production.
The native bushland bulldozed is more than 33,000 hectares which is the size of ten Sydney Harbours.
It included Gondwana-era rainforest and critically endangered woodland that provide habitat for threatened species such as quolls and koalas.
'The Bulldozing and Broken Promises report is just a snapshot of Australia's deforestation problem, with a minority of laggards in the beef industry ensuring Australia keeps its title as a global deforestation hotspot," ACF deforestation expert and report author Nathaniel Pelle said.
"More forest is bulldozed in Queensland for beef, by those few laggards, than for palm oil in Indonesia.
The largest case of beef-related deforestation exceeded 1,700 hectares, at Wombinoo Station in the Great Barrier Reef catchment near Cairns and it's not the first time deforestation has been caught on the property.
On average, almost half of clearing in Queensland occurs in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
'Our most iconic reef is being choked to death by muddy sediment caused by the bulldozing of trees upstream - it is unacceptable that this level of destruction is still happening despite recent law changes,' Mr Pelle said.
Eleven cases were identified on beef properties in the Reef catchment in this investigation, with clearing still ongoing in July 2026 on at least one property at Hervey Range west of Townsville.
'Flying over the property at Hervey Range you could see first hand the bulldozing of mature Eucalypt trees right up to the edge of waterways that flow into the Great Barrier Reef,' Mr Pelle said.
It appears federal approvals were not in place for any of the properties exposed in our investigation, and around half occurred after reforms of the EPBC Act in December 2025.
The investigation, which involved 1625 citizen scientists, found the bulldozed forests included habitat for threatened species such as koalas, quolls, greater gliders and pink cockatoos.
Who's to blame?
Australia's biggest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths promised to eliminate deforestation from their supply chain by the end of 2025, but both have conceded in their 2026 sustainability reports they have not implemented those targets. McDonald's, Australia's biggest beef purchaser also has a deforestation target that it is yet to implement.
'If supermarkets and fast food chains can't trace the beef they sell to deforestation-free properties, neither they nor their customers can know if it's linked to the destruction of koalas' homes or contributing to the erosion that is choking the Reef,' Mr Pelle said.
'To protect native animals like the koala and save the Reef, every sausage and steak sold by Coles and Woolworths, and every burger at Hungry Jack's and McDonald's, should be traceable to one of the many farmers who are deforestation-free."
Satellite images of deforestation
Helicopter vision of Hervey Range deforestation case
Contact details:
Freya Cole, ACF Head of Media and Content, 0477 638 774

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 cases of deforestation with the…

ACF investigation exposes supermarkets hollow deforestation targets

By Iñigo Alexander and Daniela Desantis
MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sep 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, part of South America's second-largest forest, according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The sub-tropical dry forest of Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rain forest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
Waitrose and B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement, at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares of forest, an area larger than Malta.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, in July unveiled its first national forestry policy, admitting decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale of environmentally questionable products to the UK may hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
DEFORESTATION, LEGISLATION AND TRADE
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked to illegal deforestation. It applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on December 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing was legal.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments, including France, Austria and Poland, have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems such as the Gran Chaco.
(Reporting by Iñigo Alexander in Mexico City and Daniela Desantis in Asuncion; Editing by Lucinda Elliott and David Gregorio)

By Iñigo Alexander and Daniela Desantis MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sep 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue charcoal from trees that were cleared to create

UK Retailers Implicated in Sale of Charcoal Tied to Paraguay Deforestation
Charcoal Supply Chains and Environmental Impact
By Iñigo Alexander and Daniela Desantis
Investigation Findings
MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sep 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers including B&Q and Waitrose are selling barbecue charcoal from trees that were cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, part of South America's second-largest forest, according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The Gran Chaco Region
The sub-tropical dry forest of Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rain forest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
Waitrose and B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Trade Relations and Deforestation Evidence
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement, at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite Analysis and Suppliers
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares of forest, an area larger than Malta.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
Taruma's Response
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Deforestation Rates and Government Policy
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, in July unveiled its first national forestry policy, admitting decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale of environmentally questionable products to the UK may hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
Deforestation, Legislation and Trade
Legal Frameworks in the UK and EU
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked to illegal deforestation. It applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on December 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing was legal.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Concerns Over Mercosur Trade Expansion
Environmental groups and several EU governments, including France, Austria and Poland, have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems such as the Gran Chaco.
(Reporting by Iñigo Alexander in Mexico City and Daniela Desantis in Asuncion; Editing by Lucinda Elliott and David Gregorio)

Major UK retailers are reportedly selling charcoal sourced from deforested land in Paraguay, raising environmental and trade concerns.

UK retailers stock charcoal linked to Paraguay deforestation, gro

British retailers, including big names like B&Q and Waitrose, are entangled in a controversy over selling barbecue charcoal linked to deforestation in Paraguay's Gran Chaco. Findings by Global Witness allege that the charcoal originates from trees cut to expand farmland, with Taruma being a key supplier.
The Gran Chaco is the second-largest forested area in South America, shared by Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. Waitrose has defended its practices, claiming adherence to the Forest Stewardship Council's standards, while B&Q has remained silent on the issue.
Concerns grow over Paraguay's attempts to secure favorable trade deals with the EU amidst high deforestation rates. New measures are awaited, with the EU poised to enforce stricter deforestation laws this December, potentially impacting Paraguay's trade aspirations in the agro-forestry sector.
(With inputs from agencies.)

Major British retailers are under scrutiny for selling barbecue charcoal sourced from deforested regions of Paraguay's Gran Chaco. An investigation by Global Witness uncovered links to the Paraguayan…

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) has published a framework setting out how investors can push companies to eliminate deforestation from their operations and supply chains by 2030 at the latest.
The paper, Investor expectations of companies on deforestation, sets out five actions investors should expect companies to take: make a public commitment; assess deforestation risks; transform operations and supply chains; participate in collaborative action; and disclose progress annually.
Developed with input from investors in IIGCC's Deforestation Investor Group (DIG), the expectations are intended to support engagement between investors and companies.
The framework follows IIGCC's launch earlier this year of the DIG, a platform designed to help investors understand and manage deforestation-related financial risks.
The platform, which was trialled last year, builds on the Financial Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA) initiative and aims to broaden investor action on deforestation by supporting investors at different stages of engagement with companies.
The DIG is underpinned by guidance on integrating deforestation into net-zero strategies, with recommendations across asset classes. The guidance is intended to help investors implement the IIGCC Net Zero Investment Framework.
'We see these expectations as a practical tool to support better conversations with companies on deforestation. By bringing together existing frameworks and market best practice, they provide a common language for engagement and a consistent benchmark for assessing progress over time,' said Isobel Mitchell, senior responsible investment associate at the Church Commissioners for England.
IIGCC said the framework was designed to align with existing frameworks that companies are already working towards, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and IFRS S2, rather than create additional reporting requirements.
The expectations are also intended to help companies integrate deforestation into broader climate and nature transition planning, governance, risk management and disclosure processes.
Vemund Olsen, senior sustainability analyst at Storebrand Asset Management, said: 'Financial risks arising from deforestation permeate global supply chains. Reducing these risks is part of investors' fiduciary duty. The new IIGCC Investor Expectations of Companies on Deforestation clearly outline what companies should do to reduce their impact and risk exposure, and will hopefully contribute to increased investor engagement on this critical issue.'
Push for greater consistency
The framework comes amid wider efforts to improve consistency in nature-related investment and corporate reporting.
Earlier this year, IIGCC published Navigating nature investments, a paper proposing a common language for describing, comparing and assessing nature investments. IIGCC said the proposed 'translation layer' aimed to address inconsistent terminology and improve visibility of nature-related risks.
Meanwhile, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is developing a proposed IFRS Practice Statement to help companies disclose financially material nature-related risks and opportunities, drawing on the TNFD. A draft is expected in October.
The ISSB's work has also highlighted the challenge of translating nature-related risks into a standardised financial framework.
The TNFD's second annual status report is due to be released on 21 September during Climate Week NYC. It will examine market progress on nature-related assessment, reporting and decision-making.

New framework gives investors five actions to press companies on deforestation risks across operations and supply chains

IIGCC launches framework to help investors tackle deforestation

Indonesia Deforestation Biomass
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
"The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia," said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. "And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination."
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
"It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people," he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
"We are very frustrated," said Iinuma. "We've asked for due diligence many times."
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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Earthbrew is centred on the environmental challenges facing coffee production, including climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation.
The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans and is grown and hand-picked in high-altitude regions of Colombia's Andes mountains.
The environmental charity is introducing the range with Colombian Supremo whole-bean coffee, with a ground version planned for October.
The environmental charity is introducing the range with Colombian Supremo whole-bean coffee, with a ground version planned for October.
The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans and is grown and hand-picked in high-altitude regions of Colombia's Andes mountains.
Earthbrew is centred on the environmental challenges facing coffee production, including climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation.
Coffee production depends on healthy ecosystems, but changing climatic conditions and the loss of natural habitats are putting pressure on growing regions and the communities that rely on them. Research estimates that climate change could erase more than 50% of suitable coffee land by 2050.
WWF says 100% of the profits from the coffee will be invested in protecting forests, wildlife and natural environments.
The launch adds coffee to WWF's existing range of consumer products, which includes chocolate as well as apparel, accessories and home goods.
Supply chain and packaging
WWF said sustainability has been considered across the coffee's supply chain. The beans are roasted and packed in the UK at a carbon-neutral certified roastery powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The coffee is 100% traceable to the mill and is Fairtrade certified. It is also aligned with the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which aims to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the EU market. Non-compliance with EUDR carries a fine of at least 4% of a company's turnover within EU markets.
The packaging uses 100% recyclable materials and has been designed using a circular approach.
WWF-UK's conversion-free supply chains specialist Nicola Brennan said: 'Earthbrew is a way for people to support nature through something they already do every day.
'Coffee naturally connects people to forests, wildlife and communities around the world. By choosing Earthbrew, people can know their coffee is sustainably produced and enjoy exceptional taste while also helping to protect the forests that make it possible.'
Ask edie...
This comes as leading coffee companies collaborate to identify and prevent deforestation in supply chains.
Recently, JDE Peet's, Sucden and Louis Dreyfus Company launched the 'Coffee Canopy Partnership' to create the first comprehensive, openly-accessible map of global coffee production, helping companies identify deforestation risks, promote landscape restoration and support local farming communities.
According to recent research from Global Canopy, one in three companies has no public commitment to address deforestation in any of their key commodities (including coffee), despite the EU's plans to ban imports of deforestation-linked products as part of the EUDR.
Related article: Dairy and Coffee Giants Lag in Methane Reduction Efforts

WWF has launched Earthbrew, a coffee range designed to support nature conservation through the profits generated from sales.

WWF launches coffee range with profits directed to nature conservation

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations. Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally…

* Report traces barbecue charcoal ​sold in UK ⁠to deforestation
* Britain's Environment Act excludes charcoal, only covers illegally deforested ​land
* Paraguay seeks closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur deal
MEXICO CITY/ASUNCION, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Major British retailers, including B&Q and Waitrose, are selling ​barbecue charcoal ‌from trees cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in ⁠UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma ⁠is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big ​K, whose products are sold across the country.
The subtropical dry forest of Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rainforest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
In response, a Waitrose spokesperson said all the charcoal it sells complies with standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent forest ​certification system.
B&Q did ‌not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement, at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) of forest.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked ​with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to ‌requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the ‌regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, ​unveiled in July its first national forestry policy, acknowledging decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is ‌no longer part of the EU, the sale of charcoal to the UK may hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
DEFORESTATION, LEGISLATION AND TRADE
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws ⁠and the ⁠UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked ‌to illegal deforestation. It applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting ​on December 30, the EU will ​have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing was legal.
The ‌UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments, including France, Austria and Poland, have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems such as the Gran Chaco.

UK retailers stock charcoal linked to Paraguay deforestation, group says | Financial News

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
"The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia," said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. "And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination."
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
"It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people," he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
"We are very frustrated," said Iinuma. "We've asked for due diligence many times."
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Victoria Milko, The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.

By VICTORIA MILKOAssociated Press ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical…

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations. Data shows Japan is the biggest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia. Environmentalists criticize the Japanese government for continuing to subsidize biomass energy and the lack of due diligence to ensure that imported biomass materials aren't linked to deforestation. Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations. Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally […]

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 cases of deforestation with the majority linked to beef production.
The native bushland bulldozed is more than 33,000 hectares which is the size of ten Sydney Harbours.
It included Gondwana-era rainforest and critically endangered woodland that provide habitat for threatened species such as quolls and koalas.
'The Bulldozing and Broken Promises report is just a snapshot of Australia's deforestation problem, with a minority of laggards in the beef industry ensuring Australia keeps its title as a global deforestation hotspot,' ACF deforestation expert and report author Nathaniel Pelle said.
'More forest is bulldozed in Queensland for beef, by those few laggards, than for palm oil in Indonesia.
The largest case of beef-related deforestation exceeded 1,700 hectares, at Wombinoo Station in the Great Barrier Reef catchment near Cairns and it's not the first time deforestation has been caught on the property.
On average, almost half of clearing in Queensland occurs in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
'Our most iconic reef is being choked to death by muddy sediment caused by the bulldozing of trees upstream – it is unacceptable that this level of destruction is still happening despite recent law changes,' Mr Pelle said.
Eleven cases were identified on beef properties in the Reef catchment in this investigation, with clearing still ongoing in July 2026 on at least one property at Hervey Range west of Townsville.
'Flying over the property at Hervey Range you could see first hand the bulldozing of mature Eucalypt trees right up to the edge of waterways that flow into the Great Barrier Reef,' Mr Pelle said.
It appears federal approvals were not in place for any of the properties exposed in our investigation, and around half occurred after reforms of the EPBC Act in December 2025.
The investigation, which involved 1625 citizen scientists, found the bulldozed forests included habitat for threatened species such as koalas, quolls, greater gliders and pink cockatoos.
Who's to blame?
Australia's biggest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths promised to eliminate deforestation from their supply chain by the end of 2025, but both have conceded in their 2026 sustainability reports they have not implemented those targets. McDonald's, Australia's biggest beef purchaser also has a deforestation target that it is yet to implement.
'If supermarkets and fast food chains can't trace the beef they sell to deforestation-free properties, neither they nor their customers can know if it's linked to the destruction of koalas' homes or contributing to the erosion that is choking the Reef,' Mr Pelle said.
'To protect native animals like the koala and save the Reef, every sausage and steak sold by Coles and Woolworths, and every burger at Hungry Jack's and McDonald's, should be traceable to one of the many farmers who are deforestation-free.'
Satellite images of deforestation
Helicopter vision of Hervey Range deforestation case
Source & references
/Public Release.

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The situation of deforestation and encroachment on forest land in Lam Dong province is becoming increasingly complex, with the number of deforestation cases increasing sharply compared to the same period in 2025.
In response to this situation, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has severely criticized forest owners for allowing such glaring violations to occur, and has demanded a review of the responsibilities of the heads of departments, as well as consideration of disciplinary action against units that have neglected their management responsibilities.
According to the Lam Dong Provincial Forest Protection Department, as of September 1, 2026, authorities had detected and documented 410 violations of forestry laws , an increase of 84 cases, or 25.8%, compared to the same period in 2025.
Notably, the number of illegal deforestation cases increased by 57.6%, equivalent to an increase of 72 incidents. This development shows increasing pressure on forest protection and also reveals limitations in the management, patrolling, and control of forest areas in some units assigned responsibility for forest management.
Upon review, a significant number of violations were found among forest owners. The Lam Ha Protective Forest Management Board had 23 cases; the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board 15 cases; the Da Nhim Protective Forest Management Board 9 cases; Quang Son Forestry Company Limited 9 cases; and Dak N'Tao Forestry Company Limited 8 cases. A case of deforestation in Dam Rong 1 commune was caught red-handed by authorities in Lam Dong province and is being processed. (Photo: VNA)
The above figures show that the organization of forest protection forces, patrols, inspections, and violation detection in some units has not met the requirements. Some forest owners have not proactively controlled their areas, have not promptly detected and prevented acts of forest encroachment; the responsibility of the head of the organization in managing and protecting the forest has not been fully implemented.
A typical example is the Ta Hine commune area, under the management of the Duc Trong Protective Forest Management Board. In August and early September 2026, three consecutive cases of deforestation occurred in plot 8, sub-area 364. The perpetrators took advantage of the darkness, rainy weather, and used silenced saws to secretly exploit and destroy natural forests within the protected forest planning area.
The total area of ​​forest affected by these three incidents is over 5,150 m², with 70 trees, mainly two-needle and three-needle pine, felled; the volume of damaged timber is nearly 20 m³. In the same area, authorities have fined 9 cases of illegal occupation of forest land for production and 6 cases of illegal deforestation.
The repeated deforestation incidents in the same area within a short period of time highlight the urgent need for accountability from forest owners in organizing forces, monitoring the area, and preventing violations. This also serves as the basis for the functional agencies of Lam Dong province to require units not only to focus on prosecuting those directly involved in deforestation but also to clarify the responsibility of the collective and individuals entrusted with managing the forest areas where violations occurred.
In light of the above situation, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province, Phan Nguyen Hoang Tan, severely criticized the leaders of the Protective Forest Management Boards and forestry companies for allowing such glaring violations to occur; and demanded that the units seriously learn from their mistakes and rectify their management and protection of forests. An area of ​​forest cleared for land encroachment has been marked with signs by the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board and the households contracted to manage the forest, seeking to identify the perpetrators. (Photo: Chu Quoc Hung/VNA)
From now until the end of 2026, the head of the forest management agency who allows violations to occur in their assigned forest area will be held accountable to the Director of the Department; the results of forest protection will be considered in the year-end performance evaluation and ranking.
Specifically, the Department of Agriculture and Environment assigned the Personnel and Organization Department to review the content of the self-criticism report and propose disciplinary action against the leaders of the Lam Ha Protective Forest Management Board; and at the same time, coordinate and advise on strengthening suitable personnel for forest management units.
The Forest Protection Department is tasked with leading and coordinating with the police and local authorities to urgently investigate and complete the dossiers of violations; including 3 cases of deforestation in Ta Hine commune, and to strictly prosecute the perpetrators according to regulations, creating a deterrent effect.
The province also requested that functional forces and forest owners strengthen patrols and stakeouts in key areas, resolutely eliminate "hot spots" of deforestation; protect the original state of the site, and prevent individuals from continuing to occupy and cultivate the deforested areas. For areas of forest that have been affected, plans must be urgently developed and reforestation organized.
Along with operational measures, Lam Dong province is orienting towards promoting the application of technology in forest protection, such as surveillance cameras, drones, and specialized software, to enhance early detection, remote monitoring, and timely handling of violations. Through this, the province aims to shift from dealing with violations after they have occurred to proactively preventing, controlling, and assigning specific responsibility to each forest owner.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lam-dong-phe-binh-trach-nhiem-chu-rung-xu-ly-nghiem-cac-diem-nong-pha-rung-post1136000.vnp

Lam Dong province is stepping up the application of technology in forest protection, such as surveillance cameras, UAVs, and specialized software, to enhance early detection, remote monitoring, and…

Lam Dong province criticizes forest owners for their responsibility and will strictly handle hotspots of deforestation.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
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Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Advertising
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Advertising
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
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South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy. 'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its useWorldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies. Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation. At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forestsIn Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung. 'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs. Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surgedResource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy. Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan. Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.___Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.___The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Japan's Biomass Energy Boom Threatens Further Deforestation in Indonesia

FILE – Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The European Union's suspension of Brazilian animal-product imports, including beef, which took effect on September 3over concerns about compliance with EU rules on prohibited antimicrobials, sends a broader message to Brazil's cattle industry: the EU is serious about enforcing the conditions it places on access to its market.
The September 3 measure is separate from theEU Deforestation Regulation(EUDR). But another major set of requirements is approaching. From December 30, 2026, the EUDR will apply to large and medium-sized companies trading covered products, including beef. It establishes three core conditions: cattle products must be deforestation-free, meaning they cannot originate from land deforested after December 31, 2020; they must have been produced in accordance with relevant Brazilian laws; and companies must comply with the Regulation's due-diligence requirements. All three conditions must be satisfied.
The second requirement is particularly important. The EUDR is not limited to compliance with Brazil's forest laws. Relevant legislation includes rules concerning land-use rights, environmental protection, third-party rights, labor rights, internationally protected human rights and the principle of free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples. Companies therefore need to understand risks across cattle supply chains that extend well beyond deforestation.
Brazil can prepare in time. It does not have to start from zero. Governments, meatpackers and producers can support and strengthen existing public systems such as Selo Verde, already operating in Pará and Minas Gerais. These systems demonstrate how government information on rural properties, environmental conditions and cattle movements can be brought together to improve traceability. In Minas Gerais, Selo Verde already incorporates a risk methodology intended to reach suppliers throughout the cattle supply chain; in Pará, the platform combines CAR property information with animal-movement data.
The priority now should be to expand these systems to cattle-producing states beyond Pará and Minas Gerais and broaden what they monitor. Traceability should cover indirect as well as direct suppliers, and monitoring should identify not only deforestation but also risks such as invasions of Indigenous Peoples' lands and labor conditions analogous to slavery. Brazil already has important public databases capable of contributing to that analysis.
The September 3 suspension is a warning against waiting until the last minute. The EU has shown that non-compliance with its regulatory requirements will have real market consequences. With the EUDR becoming applicable in December, Brazil has an opportunity to act beforehand: strengthening public traceability, improving monitoring of indirect supply chains, protecting forests and human rights, and helping Brazilian producers preserve access to the European market.
Daniela Ikawa, a Brazilian lawyer, teaches international law and human rights at Columbia University. She is also co-author of Climate Rights' International'sEU Laws and Brazil's Cattle Supply Chains.
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EU Beef Ban Shows Why Brazil Must Prepare Now for New Deforestation Rules

US Paper Industry Lobbies Hard to Weaken EU's New Anti-Deforestation Law
As the European Union prepared to enforce a sweeping new anti-deforestation law, America's paper industry launched an aggressive lobbying campaign to soften its impact — with backing from the U.S. government itself. The regulation, set to take effect in December, would require companies selling wood, paper, and other commodities in Europe to prove their products aren't linked to deforestation or forest degradation, potentially exposing logging practices across North American forests to new scrutiny.
Leading the pushback is the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), a trade group representing major companies like Procter & Gamble and International Paper. Lobbying disclosures show the group has spent nearly $11 million since 2023 on advocacy efforts, including $1.3 million this year alone specifically targeting the EU rules. In-house lobbyists for the association have held numerous meetings with members of Congress and officials from the Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service, the State Department, the Commerce Department, and the U.S. Trade Representative's office.
That pressure campaign didn't stay confined to Washington. U.S. officials subsequently traveled to European capitals, pushing for exemptions to the deforestation rules on America's behalf. Industry groups are specifically lobbying for a 'no-risk' classification that would relax due-diligence requirements for U.S. timber exports. The stakes are significant: the U.S. exported nearly $880 million worth of forest products last year, and any friction over the new rules could strain trade relations with one of America's key partners as the December deadline approaches.

As the European Union prepared to enforce a sweeping new anti-deforestation law, America's paper industry launched an aggressive lobbying campaign to soften its impact — with backing from the U.S.…

US Paper Industry Lobbies Hard to Weaken EU's New Anti-Deforestation Law

Signage is seen outside a B&Q DIY retail store in Manchester, Britain, Jun 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/ File Photo
Signage is seen outside a B&Q DIY retail store in Manchester, Britain, Jun 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/ File Photo
Major British retailers, including B&Q and Waitrose, are selling barbecue charcoal from trees cleared to create more farmland in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, according to an investigation published on Thursday by advocacy group Global Witness.
The report traces charcoal sold in UK supermarkets and hardware stores to the Paraguayan forestry company Taruma. Global Witness says Taruma is the largest international supplier of British barbecue brand Big K, whose products are sold across the country.
The subtropical dry forest of Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forested region after the Amazon rainforest, stretches across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
In response, a Waitrose spokesperson said all the charcoal it sells complies with standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent forest certification system.
B&Q did not respond to requests for comment.
Paraguay has been seeking closer trade ties with Europe through the EU-Mercosur agreement, at a time of growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of imports from the South American bloc that includes Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Satellite analysis cited in the report found that Taruma sources its wood from ranches that since 2012 have cleared more than 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) of forest.
A second supplier, Paben SA, which worked with Big K until 2023, has cleared roughly 2,700 hectares of forest in the Paraguayan Chaco since 2021, the report said.
Paben SA did not respond to requests for comment. In a written response to Reuters, Taruma denied wrongdoing.
"Taruma does not clear forest and holds no clearing permits, so our operations do not add to deforestation or to its effects on the regional climate. Our sustainability team follows the research on Chaco land-use change closely," Chief Executive Rahmeen Farudi said.
Researchers, including NASA scientists, have said Paraguay has one of the world's highest deforestation rates relative to forest cover, driven largely by farming and cattle ranching.
Paraguay, a major grains and meat exporter, unveiled in July its first national forestry policy, acknowledging decades of state-driven deforestation for agriculture. The government pledged to move toward stricter environmental monitoring to meet EU trade standards.
While Britain is no longer part of the EU, the sale of charcoal to the UK may hurt Paraguay's ambitions to sell other products to the EU under an eventual trade deal with Mercosur.
Paraguay's National Forestry Institute did not respond to requests for comment.
Deforestation, Legislation and Trade
Global Witness said that both Paraguay's permissive environmental laws and the UK's "flawed" environmental legislation allow deforestation-linked charcoal to reach the British market.
Britain's 2021 Environment Act bans imports linked to illegal deforestation. It applies only to products sourced from illegally deforested land and does not cover charcoal products. This means Paraguayan goods produced on legally cleared land can still enter the UK.
Starting on Dec 30, the EU will have stricter rules banning all products linked to deforested land regardless of whether the clearing was legal.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Defra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental groups and several EU governments, including France, Austria and Poland, have warned that extending Mercosur's agricultural exports to Europe could accelerate deforestation in ecosystems such as the Gran Chaco.

Paraguay seeks EU trade ties as imports face growing environmental scrutiny

Game Info
The Verona varsity softball team has an away non-conference game @ DeForest (WI) on Saturday, May 1 @ 11a.

The Verona varsity softball team has an away non-conference game @ DeForest (WI) on Saturday, May 1 @ 11a.

Verona vs DeForest

ISLAMABAD — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
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Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
A man inspects logs near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. Credit: AP/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Deforestation is visible near the areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. Credit: AP/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the…

London, 14 September 2026 – The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) today published its new Investor Expectations of Companies on Deforestation, providing investors and companies with a clear, practical framework for addressing deforestation and associated risks across corporate operations and supply chains.
Developed with input from investors participating in IIGCC's Deforestation Investor Group (DIG), the expectations build on the foundations laid by the pioneering investor expectations developed through the Finance Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA) initiative.
These expectations were developed in consultation with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi), AIGCC, IGCC, Ceres, FAIRR, Global Canopy, Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) and PRI Spring, bringing together existing guidance and accepted practice into a single, aligned framework for investor engagement.
Rather than creating additional reporting requirements, the expectations are designed to align with existing frameworks that many companies are already working towards, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and IFRS S2. They are intended to help companies integrate deforestation into broader climate and nature transition planning, governance, risk management and disclosure processes.
The publication sets out five core expectations for companies to act on their deforestation risk:
1. The company sets a public commitment to production and sourcing that is free from deforestation and associated impacts, and to respecting human rights.
2. The company assesses its operations, sourcing, and financing for deforestation and associated risks.
3. The company transforms and manages its operations and supply chains to ensure they are free from deforestation and associated impacts.
4. The company positively participates in collaborative actions and engagements that protect landscapes from deforestation and associated risks.
5. Each year, the company publicly discloses its progress towards production and sourcing that is free from deforestation and associated impacts.
Together these actions provide a practical roadmap for companies seeking to strengthen supply chain resilience, manage financially material risks and contribute to efforts to halt and reverse deforestation. The expectations are intended to support consistent dialogue between investors and companies, while reducing fragmentation by aligning investor asks with established market frameworks and best practice guidance.
Quotes from investors:
'Financial risks arising from deforestation permeate global supply chains. It is part of the fiduciary duty of investors to reduce such risks. The new IIGCC Investor Expectations of Companies on Deforestation clearly outline what companies should do to reduce their impact and risk exposure, and will hopefully contribute to increased investor engagement on this critical issue.' - Vemund Olsen, Senior Sustainability Analyst, Storebrand Asset Management
'Addressing deforestation requires action across entire value chains and different landscapes. By establishing a common set of expectations, this framework can help create a more consistent dialogue with companies and strengthen collective investor action to address deforestation and its associated climate, nature and human rights risks.' - Bruno Bernardo, Sustainable Investments Analyst at Régia Capital
'We see these expectations as a practical tool to support better conversations with companies on deforestation. By bringing together existing frameworks and market best practice, they provide a common language for engagement and a consistent benchmark for assessing progress over time.' - ‎Isobel Mitchell, Senior Responsible Investment Associate, Church Commissioners for England
ENDS
Media Contact:
Sara Trett
Communications Manager
strett@iigcc.org
+44 (0) 7436 161 227
About the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change: IIGCC is an investor-led membership organisation. We bring the investment community together to make progress towards a net zero and climate resilient future. We work with our members to create guidance, tools, frameworks and resources that can help them, in their individual contexts, in managing climate-related financial risk within their portfolios and making the most of opportunities presented by the transition towards a decarbonised global economy and the realities of a changing climate. We have 400+ members across 20+ countries. More information at www.iigcc.org
Disclaimer: All communications and initiatives undertaken by IIGCC are designed solely to support investors in understanding risks and opportunities associated with climate change and take action to address them. Our work is conducted in accordance with all the relevant laws, including competition laws and acting in concert rules. IIGCC's services to members do not include financial, legal or investment advice. The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of all IIGCC members.

IIGCC launches the updated Investor Expectations of Companies on Deforestation.

IIGCC publishes updated investor expectations to help companies address deforestation risk

FILE - A man inspects logs near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - A truck carrying logs is parked on the side of a road leading to the concession areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - Deforestation is visible near the areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
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'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
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Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
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The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the...

DeForest Buckner has been one of the best defensive players for the Indianapolis Colts in recent memory.
The defensive tackle is entering his seventh season with the AFC South team, recording 43 sacks, 389 total tackles, 17 pass deflections and six forced fumbles, earning him a first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl nods.
In 2025, Buckner suffered a neck injury that sidelined the defender for five games before aggravating it in his return in Week 15 against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, which required surgery.
After the offseason to heal, Buckner returned to action in the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, playing only a handful of snaps.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the season opener, DeForest Buckner revealed his journey back to the game-day field.
DeForest Buckner Considered "Hanging Up the Cleats"
DeForest Buckner is currently one of the longest-tenured members of the Indianapolis Colts franchise who brings quality and veteran leadership to the locker room.
After suffering his neck injury, the defensive tackle revealed that he was worried about his health and considered retirement.
"Early on I definitely had questions if I was going to be standing here," Buckner said. "Had moments thinking of hanging up the cleats and everything like that. But that's not how things work roll in the Buckner household."
"I'm obviously having those conversations with people closest to me, mainly my wife. She was just by my side each and every step of the way. Just supporting me and taking it one day at a time. I'm in a great place."
Buckner revealed that the long-term implications of the neck injury after football had him doubting whether to continue his NFL career.
Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier in the offseason that the team will monitor the DT and it is now clear the Colts will get their All-Pro defender on the front line.
"What happened to him was difficult, but he's the hardest worker I know and he's putting all the time and effort in to get back on the field with his teammates," Steichen said, via ESPN.
Buckner Reveals His Goals with the Indianapolis Colts
Outside of the health issues, DeForest Buckner also mentioned wanting to play another season due to wanting to win the ultimate prize in the game: The Lombardi Trophy.
"I've felt like I've accomplished a lot personally in my career and everything like that, [but the] biggest thing for me is obviously winning and winning a championship," Buckner said. "That's one of my biggest goals I've had every single year. And that's still something that I want to accomplish. That's what kind of drove me as well."
"I mean I still feel like I can play at a very high level and I don't want to leave with any regrets."
The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 season on a seven-game losing streak and snapping that streak in the season opener could spell a good start for DeForest Buckner and company.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner opens up after surgery a neck injury in the 2025 season. The post Colts' DeForest Buckner Gets Honest About Return After Suffering Neck Injury…

Colts' DeForest Buckner Gets Honest About Return After Suffering Neck Injury

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests , with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .

Amidst growing environmental scrutiny, major British retailers such as B&Q and Waitrose have come under fire. An investigation by Global Witness revealed that these companies are retailing charcoal linked to deforestation in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, a sub-tropical dry forest region.
The report traces these products to Taruma, a Paraguayan forestry company, and points to links with Big K, a staple barbecue brand in the UK. Alarmingly, research indicated massive forest clearances have occurred since 2012, impacting ecosystems across Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.
Crucial trade implications loom as Paraguay seeks closer European ties through the EU-Mercosur agreement. However, as Paraguay grapples with one of the world's highest deforestation rates, stricter environmental policies become paramount to meet evolving trade standards.
(With inputs from agencies.)

British retailers, including B&Q and Waitrose, are selling charcoal linked to deforestation in Paraguay's Gran Chaco, South America's second-largest forest. The report by Global Witness highlights the…

UK Retailers in Hot Water Over Deforestation-Linked Charcoal Origins

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests. Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment. Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tro

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations | K-DAWN

With climate change intensifying pressures on forests worldwide, deforestation remains a critical concern. Agriculture drives most permanent forest loss, but between 2001 and 2025 wildfires contributed 30% of tree cover loss, while logging accounted for 25%, according to WRI.
Although some forest loss is temporary, recovery can take decades and ecosystems may never return to full health. Boreal forests have been stripped for toilet paper, while Europe burns wood pellets for energy. Despite pledges to halt forest loss by 2030, progress has been limited.
The EU's deforestation regulation (EUDR), delayed twice, will take effect at the end of this year. Importers of commodities including wood and paper must prove they are not sourced from recently deforested or degraded land. Operators must provide geo-coordinates of sourcing plots.
Low-risk countries, including the UK and EU members, face lighter checks, though NGOs have flagged illegal logging in Romania's old-growth forests. Enforcement may be difficult, as the FAO defines forests as having 10% canopy cover, while UNEP sets the threshold at 30%.
Experts warn that deforestation often occurs gradually through selective harvesting, later escalating into full clearance. Leah Samberg of the Accountability Framework initiative stresses that risk assessment and verification are essential, as only 11% of timber disclosures report sourcing more than 90% deforestation-free.
Earlier EU efforts, such as the Timber Regulation, inadvertently increased forest loss in trade-dependent countries by diverting timber to less regulated markets. Researchers caution that leakage remains possible, with producers selling into China's domestic market.
The EUDR's demand for full traceability poses challenges for industries such as wood pellets, with trade expected to shift to unregulated Asian markets. Experts argue that global governance is needed to prevent leakage and build capacity in producer countries.
While the regulation is seen as a net positive, critics say its narrow focus on supply chain compliance incentivises companies to clean up sourcing without addressing broader deforestation drivers.
Some countries are aligning with the EU. The UK plans similar legislation, China is exploring cooperation, and Brazil has developed technology to meet EUDR's data requirements.
In Europe, companies like Timberhub now offer compliance services, though penalties may be minor compared to trade volumes. Interpol estimates illegal timber trade at $51–152 billion annually, with 20% entering the EU.
Certification systems such as FSC cover 175 million hectares, but compliance with EUDR is not guaranteed. Reports of false certification have prompted moves toward a global digital traceability system by 2030.
The pulp and paper industry promotes fast-growing hardwood plantations, such as eucalyptus, on degraded land. Brazil's Suzano, the world's largest pulp producer, operates 1.6 million hectares of plantations alongside 1.1 million hectares of protected land. The company has committed to zero deforestation since 2020, using geolocation and traceability systems.
Suzano is also exploring restoration financing through carbon credits, aiming to regenerate Atlantic forest areas. Its proprietary compliance system is designed to meet EUDR requirements, which executives say will 'level the playing field.'
While monoculture plantations face risks from drought and pests, experts argue they provide better climate outcomes than crops like sugarcane. Demand for timber products, whether eucalyptus, teak or tropical hardwoods, remains strong.
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Europe's deforestation regulation aims to curb illegal timber and protect forests, but global supply chain loopholes and rising demand pose serious challenges to enforcement.

Europe's New Forest Rules Could Fight Deforestation While Pushing Timber Into Looser Markets

FILE - Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri, File)
ISLAMABAD – A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
Recommended Videos
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Mondelez has stepped up lobbying to delay or weaken the EU's deforestation rules, according to Global Witness.
The nonprofit says Mondelez spent between €1.2 million and €1.5 million lobbying EU institutions after the regulation was adopted in 2023.
The dispute pits demands for binding action against cocoa-related deforestation against concerns about compliance costs and smallholder farmers' access to European markets.
Mondelez, one of the world's largest cocoa buyers, has stepped up lobbying to weaken the European Union's deforestation regulation, according to an investigation published by British nonprofit Global Witness on September 8, 2026. The rules are due to take effect in late December after two delays.
Adopted in 2023, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires companies trading in certain commodities, including cocoa, coffee, soy, rubber, timber, cattle and palm oil, to demonstrate that products sold in the EU do not come from land deforested after December 31, 2020. For cocoa, the law requires companies to record the geographic coordinates of farm plots, strengthen traceability and submit a due diligence statement before importing beans or cocoa products.
According to Global Witness, the Toblerone maker had previously supported common EU due diligence rules to tackle deforestation. But the company changed its position in July 2025, calling for a second 12-month delay and arguing that cocoa farmers were not ready to comply.
The nonprofit said Mondelez had regularly met with European officials and influential lawmakers, including German members of the center-right European People's Party (EPP), which has backed several amendments to ease or delay the regulation. It cited meetings with Norbert Lins, vice chair and former chair of the European Parliament's agriculture committee; Christine Schneider, the EPP's lead lawmaker on the legislation; and Danish lawmaker Asger Christensen.
The investigation also documented lobbying efforts in France, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg. It said Mondelez had spent between €1.2 million and €1.5 million on lobbying EU institutions since the regulation's adoption. Those figures cover its overall lobbying spending, rather than spending specifically on the deforestation rules. Beyond Europe, Global Witness said the company had also lobbied U.S. officials to delay or relax the rules.
In late June 2026, Mondelez CEO Dirk Van de Put met Andrew Puzder, the U.S. ambassador to the EU, as part of the company's continuing contacts with the U.S. administration, according to the investigation. Puzder took office in August 2025. A close ally of President Donald Trump, he and his wife reportedly donated $332,000 to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
The following day, ' Puzder published a long opinion piece in Agence Europe calling for further major 'simplifications' to the EUDR,' Global Witness said.
Cocoa sourcing commitments
Responding to Global Witness, Mondelez said it supported the regulation's objectives and remained committed to responsible sourcing and supply chains free of deforestation. The company acknowledged lobbying policymakers, saying it disclosed those discussions in the relevant transparency registers and was investing in preparations to comply with the rules. Global Witness's report included that response.
In recent years, Mondelez has repeatedly said it is committed to sourcing cocoa more sustainably. It highlights its role as a founding member of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, a partnership established in 2017 that brings together companies, governments and civil society organizations to tackle cocoa-related deforestation. It also points to its Cocoa Life program, launched in 2012, with $1 billion in funding covering 2012–2030.
Operating in eight cocoa-producing countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, the program aims to promote more sustainable farming practices, support cocoa-growing communities and improve supply chain traceability. In its latest 'Snacking Made Right' report, Mondelez says it met its 2025 goal of sourcing virtually all the cocoa used in its chocolate business through Cocoa Life, which now has more than 257,000 registered farmers.
More broadly, the controversy surrounding Mondelez reflects a disagreement over how to address deforestation in cocoa supply chains. Environmental organizations are calling for swift implementation and binding requirements to end cocoa-related deforestation. Businesses and some governments, meanwhile, point to compliance costs, difficulties tracing cocoa to individual farms and the risk of excluding smallholder farmers from EU markets.

Mondelez has stepped up lobbying to delay or weaken the EU's deforestation rules, according to Global Witness. The nonprofit says Mondelez spent between €1.2 million and €1.5 million lobbying EU institutions after the regulation was adopted in 2023. The dispute pits demands for binding action against cocoa-related deforestation against concerns...

Cocoa Buyer Mondelez Accused of Lobbying to Weaken EU Deforestation Law

Updated Price for Crude Oil WTI (NYMEX: CLV26). Charting, Price Performance, News & Related Contracts.

Deforestation poses material financial risks to companies and investors through physical, transition, legal, reputational and systemic impacts. These expectations set out a practical framework to help companies eliminate deforestation and associated impacts from their operations and supply chains, supporting long-term value creation and credible climate and nature transition plans.
Developed through consultation with IIGCC's Deforestation Investor Group and aligned with leading frameworks and accepted market practice, this paper provides a practical stewardship tool for investors engaging companies on deforestation. It is built on the technical foundation of the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) and draws on guidance from investor, policy and standard-setting organisations.
The paper outlines the following five key expectations:
The company sets a public commitment to production and sourcing that is free from deforestation and associated impacts, and to respecting human rights.
The company assesses its operations, sourcing, and financing for deforestation and associated risks.
The company transforms and manages its operations and supply chains to ensure they are free from deforestation and associated impacts.
The company positively participates in collaborative actions and engagements that protect landscapes from deforestation and associated risks.
E ach year, the company publicly discloses its progress towards production and sourcing that is free from deforestation and associated impacts.
Together, these expectations position action on deforestation as a core component of governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets, supporting alignment with frameworks such as IFRS S2 and TNFD.

Explore IIGCC's latest investor expectations for companies on deforestation, covering commitments, risk assessment, supply chain transformation, engagement and disclosure.

Investor Expectations of Companies on Deforestation

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests , with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .
LA NACION News Services

Rising global biomass demand drives deforestation in Indonesia; foreign imports threaten critical tropical forest habitats - LA NACION

ISLAMABAD(AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
More in Associatedpress
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity...

This complete KS3 Geography Rainforest Layers Observation Lesson explores the four layers of the tropical rainforest, biodiversity, and the impact of deforestation on rainforest habitats.
Designed for a formal lesson observation, the resource provides a structured sequence of activities with clear learning objectives, differentiation, formative assessment, source analysis and extended geographical writing. Students progress from identifying rainforest layers to explaining why different layers are important for biodiversity.
Students explore topics including:
• The four layers of the tropical rainforest • Emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor • Characteristics of each rainforest layer • Plants and animals found within different layers • Biodiversity within tropical rainforests • Deforestation and habitat loss • Human impacts on rainforest ecosystems
• The importance of rainforests and habitat preservation
Students complete a range of activities including a deforestation source analysis, rainforest reading task, rainforest-layer sorting activity, biodiversity spot checks and a structured PEEL writing task explaining why a chosen rainforest layer is important for biodiversity.
Included
• Complete Rainforest Layers PowerPoint • Detailed observation lesson plan • Rainforest layers reading activity • 'Which Layer Am I?' sorting activity • Deforestation source analysis • Model source analysis response • Biodiversity knowledge checks • PEEL paragraph writing task • PEEL writing guidance and model response • Rainforest Layers Fact or Fiction activity • Answers for the Fact or Fiction activity • Exit ticket
• Differentiation and challenge opportunities
The lesson incorporates retrieval practice, visual source analysis, paired learning, literacy, geographical vocabulary, critical thinking and extended writing, with assessment opportunities throughout. The lesson plan also includes support through sentence starters, visual aids, modelling and paired discussion, alongside additional challenge.
Perfect for:
• KS3 Geography • Rainforest and tropical ecosystem topics • Habitat Preservation units • Biodiversity and deforestation lessons • Formal lesson observations • Teacher observations and appraisal lessons
• Complete ready-to-teach lessons
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This complete KS3 Geography Rainforest Layers Observation Lesson explores the four layers of the tropical rainforest, biodiversity, and the impact of deforestation on rainforest habitats. Designed for…

Rainforest Layers Observation Lesson  Habitat Preservation

A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new analysis by three non-governmental organizations.
The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia, with most of the biomass product exported to Japan, which is the biggest destination. The report reveals that Indonesia's wood pellet exports to Japan increased by 129% between 2015 and 2024, totaling 1.1 million tons.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, but continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests. The report found that significant areas of natural forest have already been converted into biomass plantations, with expanding deforestation linked to biomass production threatening undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species, such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo, and pigs.
The research identified at least 45 concessions granted for biomass, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest, which will impact Indigenous communities that rely on these forests for their livelihoods and culture

A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land

Indonesia's biomass boom drives deforestation, threatens forests and communities

Coles and Woolworths are under pressure to honour their deforestation-free beef commitments after an Australian Conservation Foundation investigation detected 150 land clearing cases with the majority linked to beef production.
The native bushland bulldozed is more than 33,000 hectares, which is the size of ten Sydney Harbours.
It included Gondwana-era rainforest and critically endangered woodlands that provide habitat for threatened species such as quolls and koalas.
'The Bulldozers and broken promises report is just a snapshot of Australia's deforestation problem, with a minority of laggards in the beef industry ensuring Australia keeps its title as a global deforestation hotspot,' said ACF's deforestation expert and report author Nathaniel Pelle.
'More forest is bulldozed in Queensland for beef by those few laggards than for palm oil in Indonesia.'
The largest case of beef-related deforestation exceeded 1,700 hectares, at Wombinoo Station in the Great Barrier Reef catchment near Cairns. It's not the first time deforestation has been detected on the property.
On average, almost half the clearing in Queensland occurs in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
'Our most iconic reef is being choked to death by muddy sediment caused by the bulldozing of trees upstream – it is unacceptable for this level of destruction to be still happening, despite recent law changes,' Mr Pelle said.
This investigation identified 11 cases on beef properties in the reef catchment, with clearing still ongoing in July 2026 on at least one property at Hervey Range west of Townsville.
'Flying over the property at Hervey Range you could see firsthand the bulldozing of mature eucalypt trees right up to the edge of waterways that flow into the Great Barrier Reef,' Mr Pelle said.
It appears federal approvals were not granted for any of the properties exposed in this investigation. Around half occurred after reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in December 2025.
The investigation, which involved 1625 citizen scientists, found the bulldozed forests also included habitat for threatened species such as koalas, quolls, greater gliders and pink cockatoos.
Who's to blame?
Australia's biggest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, promised to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains by the end of 2025, but both have conceded in their 2026 sustainability reports that they have not implemented those targets. McDonald's, Australia's biggest beef purchaser also has a deforestation target it is yet to implement.
'If supermarkets and fast food chains can't trace the beef they sell to deforestation-free properties, neither they nor their customers can know if it's linked to the destruction of koalas' homes or contributing to the erosion that is choking the reef,' Mr Pelle said.
'To protect native animals like the koala and save the reef, every sausage and steak sold by Coles and Woolworths, and every burger at Hungry Jack's and McDonald's, should be traceable to one of the many farmers who are deforestation-free.'
Read the report: Bulldozers and broken promises
Image: Muddy sediment runs out to the Great Barrier Reef, suffocating coral and marine life. Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of the Tully, Murray and Herbert River plumes, 6 February 2025, extracted by TropWater/James Cook University.

An ACF investigation has detected 150 cases of deforestation with the majority linked to beef production.

ACF investigation exposes supermarkets' hollow deforestation targets

The DeForest Norskies football team put forth a spirited effort Thursday evening.

DeForest falls late as Sun Prairie East rallies for 28-13 win

ISLAMABAD — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
"The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia," said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. "And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.
" As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether.
They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere. , with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares of natural forest. Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
"It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people," he said. The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs. Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy. Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press. While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum. Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and internationalThe Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sFILE - Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
- The Associated Press FILE - A man inspects logs near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. - The Associated Press FILE - Deforestation is visible near the areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
- The Associated Press FILE - A truck carrying logs is parked on the side of a road leading to the concession areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024. - The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot sp

Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according to new satellite analysis from Indonesia-based nongovernmental organizations

Game Info
The DeForest varsity soccer team has a neutral non-conference match vs. St. Charles North (St. Charles, IL) today @ 11a.

View pregame, in-game and post-game details from the DeForest (WI) vs St. Charles North (St. Charles, IL) Non-Conference Soccer Match on Sat, 09/12/2026.

DeForest vs St. Charles North

ISLAMABAD — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations. Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally […] | Local News from KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

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A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Credit: CC0 Public Domain
A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
"The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia," said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. "And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination."
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation—less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
"It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people," he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter—daily or weekly.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
"We are very frustrated," said Iinuma. "We've asked for due diligence many times."
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
Who's behind this story? Andrew Zinin
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot…

ISLAMABAD – A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
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South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

ISLAMABAD – A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
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'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

FILE - A man inspects logs near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - Deforestation is visible near several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - A truck carrying logs is parked on the side of a road leading to the concession areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
FILE - Deforestation is visible near the areas of several wood pellet production companies in Pohuwato, Gorontalo province, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024.
Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri/AP Photo/Yegar Sahaduta Mangiri
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
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'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Global biomass demand is growing, but some experts reject its use
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
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Article continues below this ad
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Increased biomass production is felling Indonesia's forests
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets has surged
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
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The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

DeForest Buckner has been one of the best defensive players for the Indianapolis Colts in recent memory.
The defensive tackle is entering his seventh season with the AFC South team, recording 43 sacks, 389 total tackles, 17 pass deflections and six forced fumbles, earning him a first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl nods.
In 2025, Buckner suffered a neck injury that sidelined the defender for five games before aggravating it in his return in Week 15 against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, which required surgery.
After the offseason to heal, Buckner returned to action in the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, playing only a handful of snaps.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the season opener, DeForest Buckner revealed his journey back to the game-day field.
DeForest Buckner Considered 'Hanging Up the Cleats'
DeForest Buckner is currently one of the longest-tenured members of the Indianapolis Colts franchise who brings quality and veteran leadership to the locker room.
After suffering his neck injury, the defensive tackle revealed that he was worried about his health and considered retirement.
'Early on I definitely had questions if I was going to be standing here,' Buckner said. 'Had moments thinking of hanging up the cleats and everything like that. But that's not how things work roll in the Buckner household.'
'I'm obviously having those conversations with people closest to me, mainly my wife. She was just by my side each and every step of the way. Just supporting me and taking it one day at a time. I'm in a great place.'
Buckner revealed that the long-term implications of the neck injury after football had him doubting whether to continue his NFL career.
Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier in the offseason that the team will monitor the DT and it is now clear the Colts will get their All-Pro defender on the front line.
'What happened to him was difficult, but he's the hardest worker I know and he's putting all the time and effort in to get back on the field with his teammates,' Steichen said, via ESPN.
Buckner Reveals His Goals with the Indianapolis Colts
Outside of the health issues, DeForest Buckner also mentioned wanting to play another season due to wanting to win the ultimate prize in the game: The Lombardi Trophy.
'I've felt like I've accomplished a lot personally in my career and everything like that, [but the] biggest thing for me is obviously winning and winning a championship,' Buckner said. 'That's one of my biggest goals I've had every single year. And that's still something that I want to accomplish. That's what kind of drove me as well.'
'I mean I still feel like I can play at a very high level and I don't want to leave with any regrets.'
The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 season on a seven-game losing streak and snapping that streak in the season opener could spell a good start for DeForest Buckner and company.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner opens up after surgery a neck injury in the 2025 season.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Submit Correction Δ

ISLAMABAD -- A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The essentials Immediate aerial carbon losses from tropical forests vary depending on the type of damage.
Fires destroy around 49% of stocks and selective logging 34%, compared to 86% for full deforestation.
These new results are those of a meta-analysis published in Science Advances. They will serve to improve national greenhouse gas inventories.
According to past work, tropical rainforests currently make up around a third of the global terrestrial carbon sink. Unfortunately, their sequestration capacity is falling, while global emissions continue to rise. The impacts of deforestation in the tropics are currently accurately quantified, but forest degradation is much less well documented. However, depending on the zone, degradation can cause aerial carbon losses equal to if not higher than the emissions generated by deforestation.
In response to climate change, fighting forest degradation is just as crucial as fighting deforestation.
Bruno Hérault
Forest ecologist at CIRAD
If deforestation has been studied more than degradation, it might be because it is easier to define. Deforestation refers to the total loss of forest cover, while degradation is defined as a partial loss. The difference looks clear until it comes to defining the "loss" to be considered. "What some people see as forest management practices, others will see as degradation", Bruno Hérault explains. "Defining what we mean by forest degradation is currently a real challenge, on both a local and an international level. Labelling a forest "degraded" has concrete impacts, for instance in economic terms when it comes to applying for payments for ecosystem services."
Fires, logging, edge effect or deforestation do not mean the same carbon losses
To distinguish better between degradation and deforestation, the scientists involved in the analysis looked at the "direct factors" in forest cover loss. Total deforestation is due to human deforestation activities, while forest degradation may be due to human factors, but also to ecological or climate aspects. The study therefore looked at selective logging, fires, droughts, uprooting by the wind, and the "edge effect". "The edge effect is a disruption seen on forest fringes, for instance after deforestation or a fire", Bruno Hérault points out. "Trees that were previously surrounded by vegetation find themselves exposed to the wind, to drier soils, and to a whole load of other phenomena that make them more vulnerable. This edge effect may be seen in trees up to a kilometre away from the new forest edge."
According to the forest degradation data compiled by the international team of scientists, fires cause the greatest carbon losses: on average, almost half the aerial carbon stock disappears immediately. Droughts have little effect, causing around 5% losses. Edge effects and logging, on the other hand, have significant effects (minus 31 and 34 % respectively).
"These are averages", says Bruno Hérault, "but it is important to understand that there may be several types of disruption at once. For instance, degraded forest edges that suffer additional disruption, such as fires or logging, suffer 56% losses of their carbon stocks on average. For edge effects alone, the figure is closer to 24%." The same pattern is seen for forest fires. In the event of repeated fires, the scientists noted 62% carbon losses.
Preserving the soil and undergrowth structure to preserve carbon sinks
It is no surprise that degraded forests regenerate faster than secondary forest, in other words those that have suffered total deforestation. Carbon stocks are therefore reconstituted better after degradation, albeit to a very varied extent. Dr Bienvenu Amani, researcher at Nangui Abrogoua University (Ivory Coast), specialises in forest regeneration after disruption. He has been working with CIRAD for a long time, and was a co-author of the meta-analysis: "within twenty years of disruption, a regenerated forest recovers between 41 and 117% of its initial carbon stock, compared to just 1 to 74% for a secondary forest. That shows that conserving forest structure improves forest regeneration capacity".
Dr Amani's work, including several studies that formed part of the meta-analysis, goes further: regrowth is faster if trees are kept in degraded landscapes on the edges of forests. Those so-called "remnant" or "residual" trees preserve soil fertility, temper microclimates and act as a source of seeds for forest regeneration.
Land use before its abandonment and forest regrowth also substantially influences carbon storage recovery. "In West Africa, several field studies have shown that regeneration is slower after a rice crop than after a yam crop", Dr Amani reveals. "In the Brazilian Amazon, the aerial carbon storage gain is 38% higher in forests on former cultivated soils than on former grazing land."
Understanding the factors that accelerate or slow disrupted forest regeneration, and thus aerial carbon stock regeneration in the tropics, will help steer field operations.
American forests are over-represented compared to Africa and Asia
In the publication, the scientists set out average carbon losses and gains depending on continent. While their data are a major step forward, the authors have one reservation: two thirds of the studies were in the Americas, and a large proportion focused on the Amazon alone.
"Asian and African forests are under-represented in the research work", Bruno Hérault regrets. "However, the available data are particularly interesting. For instance, African forests seem to resist extreme drought better than Amazonian forests. We need to look further into these aspects to see why."
"According to the IPCC, the highest young secondary forest recovery rates are observed in Africa", Dr Bienvenu Amani adds. "Similarly, in the data gathered, carbon losses as a result of selective logging were lower in Africa than in Asia or the Americas."
Forest in Senegal © R. Belmin, CIRAD
Tracking carbon emissions: scientific and political issues
The studies compiled used different carbon accounting methods: satellite or remote sensing data, flux towers, field surveys, etc. Within the same region, the data for a given disruption factor may vary hugely: "If we take selective logging in Asia as an example, immediate carbon losses range from 13 to 75%", says Bruno Hérault. "Hence the importance of basing analyses on local data."
Nevertheless, field sampling is not always possible. The progress made in terms of spatial and temporal satellite data resolution goes some way towards solving the issues. As far as the scientists are concerned, this range of sources is vital, and above all, it must be possible to gather data over several years.
"This is not just a scientific issue, but a climate policy one", Bruno Hérault feels. "Carbon loss and gain factors directly fuel national greenhouse gas inventories, and those inventories allow countries to apply for carbon credits, for instance."
The team considers that their average carbon loss estimates could directly fuel the IPCC emission factor database. And as such, the lack of data for Africa could put it at a disadvantage: the IPCC's default indicators are based on existing data, in other words mainly those for Amazonian forests. If African forests prove to resist selective logging and drought better, national inventories for the continent may be over-estimating their own carbon emissions.
Reference
Viola Heinrich et al. 2026. A meta-analysis of carbon losses and gains from tropical moist forest degradation and regeneration. Sci. Adv.

Everything hinges on the type of damage. Twenty years after partial loss of its forest cover, a regenerated forest has generally recovered some 75% of its initial carbon stock. The figure for a forest…

Can tropical forests regain their carbon capture capacity once damaged?

ISLAMABAD(AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The DeForest Athletic Complex will host the 2026 Special Olympic Wisconsin Fall Games, Special Olympics Wisconsin announced Thursday.
According to Special Olympics Wisconsin, more than 900 bocce, flag football and softball athletes will compete in DeForest from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20.
A Battle of the Badges softball tournament will kick off the festivities on Friday evening with competition for bocce, flag football and softball beginning on Saturday morning and medals rounds will culminate Sunday.
The event will also host oral health screenings and education, along with health promotion from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The HEAR Wisconsin Mobile Audiology Clinic will be providing free hearing screenings.
The Special Olympics Wisconsin Fall Games had been held in the Wisconsin Dells area for the last three years. MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The DeForest Athletic Complex will host the 2026 Special Olympic Wisconsin Fall Games, Special Olympics Wisconsin announced Thursday.
According to Special Olympics Wisconsin, more than 900 bocce, flag football and softball athletes will compete in DeForest from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20.
A Battle of the Badges softball tournament will kick off the festivities on Friday evening with competition for bocce, flag football and softball beginning on Saturday morning and medals rounds will culminate Sunday.
The event will also host oral health screenings and education, along with health promotion from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The HEAR Wisconsin Mobile Audiology Clinic will be providing free hearing screenings.
The Special Olympics Wisconsin Fall Games had been held in the Wisconsin Dells area for the last three years.

The DeForest Athletic Complex will host the 2026 Special Olympic Wisconsin Fall Games, Special Olympics Wisconsin announced Thursday.

DeForest to host 2026 Special Olympic Wisconsin Fall Games

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
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Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country's wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according

ISLAMABAD(AP) — A surge in Indonesia's wood pellet and chip production is driving a new wave of deforestation, threatening the vast archipelago's remaining tropical forests, vital biodiversity hot spots and the land of Indigenous peoples, according to new satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
'The biomass industry has become a new driver of deforestation in Indonesia,' said Timer Manurung, director of Indonesia-based organization Auriga Nusantara, which contributed to the new analysis. 'And most of the biomass product is for export, with Japan as the biggest destination.'
As Japan's demand for Indonesian wood pellets skyrockets in an effort to meet its own renewable energy goals, critics say continued subsidies and weak oversight of the supply chain are likely to allow continued razing of pristine Indonesian forests.
Worldwide bioenergy use has increased by over 55% between 2015 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. In Japan, it accounts for a small but growing share of electricity generation — less than 6% in 2024, according to the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
Environmentalists and scientists warn that continued rise in international demand coupled with weak domestic regulation will continue to accelerate deforestation.
At the same time, critics say that using biomass to co-fire, instead of transitioning directly to clean energy, simply prolongs the use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biomass is organic material like plants, wood and waste, and many coal-fired power plants can be easily modified to burn it alongside coal to make energy.
Experts including the IEA say it's important to meet the demand for biomass in a sustainable way, such as using waste and crop residue rather than converting forest land to grow bioenergy crops. Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
And many scientists and environmentalists have rejected the use of biomass altogether. They say burning wood-based biomass can emit more carbon than coal, and tree-cutting greatly reduces forests' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
In Indonesia, biomass production is already felling forests, with the growing demand threatening even greater loss, according to new analysis from environmental organizations Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara and the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago.
Manurung said while there are only a few biomass mills currently in operation in Indonesia, there is a growing trend of concession permits for biomass across the country, with at least 45 concessions granted, covering over 750,000 hectares (1.85 million acres) of natural forest.
Indigenous communities living in the concession areas that rely on the forest will be affected, including the isolated Polahi community, said Manurung.
'It will totally erase all the natural cover which provide a living and is an integral part of the culture to the Polahi people,' he said.
The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.
Indonesia's ministries of Environment and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
Resource-poor Japan imports virtually all its oil and has been working for years to build alternative, more sustainable sources of energy.
Japan's demand for wood pellets has skyrocketed. The country imported a record 8.64 million tons of wood pellets in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024, according to the Global Trade Algorithmic Intelligence Center
Wood pellet imports from Indonesia have surged by over 500%, from 66,460 tons in 2023 to 402,310 tons in 2025.
Japan has also provided millions of dollars of financial support toward the development of biomass in Indonesia through research, policy, construction and other support, according to a review of publicly available business and government agreements by The Associated Press.
While Japan has stopped subsidies for future large-scale biomass projects, projects already certified will continue receiving subsidies for up to 20 years after operation begins, said Katsuhiro Suzushima, an environmental researcher at the Global Environmental Forum, based in Japan.
Loopholes in Japan's due diligence policies will likely allow wood pellets linked to deforestation to enter its market for years to come, said Sayoko Iinuma, a forestry specialist and researcher at the Global Environmental Forum.
'We are very frustrated,' said Iinuma. 'We've asked for due diligence many times.'
Japan's Forestry Agency, the part of the government overseeing the promotion of biomass use, declined to comment on the link between biomass imported from Indonesia and deforestation. It did not reply to questions about Japan's policies to ensure imported biomass was not linked to deforestation.
South Korea was previously the largest importer of wood pellets from Indonesia until the government drastically reduced subsidies for biomass energy after rising domestic and international criticism of its link to deforestation.
___
Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Only a week into the season, the DeForest Norskies boys' volleyball team is already six games in.
In just their second season in the Big Eight Conference, DeForest is looking to take another step forward after finishing 3-15 overall and 2-6 in the conference last fall.
And there are many tangible reasons to believe so, because DeForest returns its two All-Conference selections from last season: senior setter/outside hitter Quinn Schwab and junior outside hitter Jackson Meyers.
Quinn Schwab led the Norskies with a team-high 274 last season and earned the Second Team All-Conference nod. Meyers led the Norskies in kills last fall with 166. According to a report from DeForest boys' volleyball coach Krista Smedema, Meyers set a school record for kills in a game with 17 last season.
Entering the 2026 season, the Norskies are older. Much older. According to the official roster sheet via DeForest Athletics, seven of its 12 players are seniors: Ben Anderson, Eli Atkinson, Tyler Coogan, Connor Johnson, Logan Ketelboeter, Jaxson Potter and Quinn Schwab.
Many of those names, and more, have made an impact.
DeForest officially opened the 2026 season on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in a home match against Sun Prairie United. The Norskies lost in three sets, yet fared well in each set. They lost 31-29, 25-23 and 25-18.
Jackson Meyers led the Norskies on the attack, smashing seven kills, while Quinn Schwab knocked down six kills. Tyler Coogan recorded a team-high seven digs alongside 11 assists, while Quinn Schwab dished a team-high 15 assists.
Senior setter/outside hitter Quinn Schwab knocked down six kills and dished a team-high 15 assists during DeForest's season-opener against Sun Prairie United last week. Cole Amundson
The Norskies then hit the road over the weekend, traveling to Hartford Union High School in a four-game invitational on Saturday, Sept. 5.
DeForest went 1-3 overall.
Their lone victory came in a clean 2-0 sweep over Kenosha Tremper, winning by set scores of 25-20 and 25-14. Their losses came against Hartford (14-25, 14-25), St. Ambrose Academy (23-25, 14-25) and a familiar foe in Sun Prairie United (25-23, 25-27, 11-15).
In their victory over Kenosha Tremper, Tyler Coogan knocked down seven kills on just 11 attempts -- a kill percentage of 63.6, according to MaxPreps. As a team, DeForest had 16 kills, with Jackson Meyers and Quinn Schwab recording three kills, freshman Logan Schwab knocking down two and junior Ben Lippit recording one.
Jaxson Potter recorded two blocks, while Jackson Meyers recorded a team-high 11 digs. Quinn Schwab led DeForest in assists with eight.
But the busy week of action wasn't done just yet.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Norskies traveled to Edgewood in a Big Eight match. While DeForest won its first set 25-22, they dropped their next three sets 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22.
Spearheading the Norskies' efforts Tuesday evening was a valiant attacking effort from Jackson Meyers, who scored a team-high 15 kills. Meyers currently leads the team in assists with 45 on the year.
Junior outside hitter Jackson Meyers knocked down 15 kills during the Norskies' 3-1 loss to Edgewood on Tuesday. Cole Amundson
Meanwhile, Quinn Schwab hit eight kills, while Tyler Coogan had six and Ben Anderson had five.
Eli Atkinson and Jackson Meyers each recorded double-digit digs. Atkinson had 11, while Meyers had 10. Quinn Schwab led the Norskies in assists with 23. He's up to 78 assists on the year, averaging nearly five assists per set through six games.
Up next for DeForest, the Norskies host Middleton on Wednesday, Sept. 9, before traveling to Kenosha Tremper in a Round Robin Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 12. They'll return home on Wednesday, Sept. 16, against Madison Country Day.

Only a week into the season, the DeForest Norskies boys' volleyball team is already six games in.

A look at DeForest boys' volleyball's start to the season

Comedians honor late comic Kenny DeForest at basketball tournament for organ donation
NYC comedians hit the court in Greenpoint for a basketball tournament with a much deeper purpose. After Brooklyn-based comedian Kenny DeForest tragically passed away following an e-bike accident, his final gift as an organ donor saved five lives. Now, his fellow comedians are honoring his memory and paying it forward by raising funds and awareness for LiveOnNY. FOX 5 NY's Frances Wang reports.

NYC comedians hit the court in Greenpoint for a basketball tournament with a much deeper purpose. After Brooklyn-based comedian Kenny DeForest tragically passed away following an e-bike accident, his…

Global Deforestation

This section is intended to collect data on the current status of global deforestation. This is accomplished through the utilization of APIs, databases, news sources, MapBuilders, and academic journals.

Global forest loss map