January 2023, Joint Analysis SeloVerde system
A joint analysis by the University of Minais Gerais, the State of Pará and the ADP secretariat has been conducted. The paper (Policy Brief Selo Verde – EU-UK regulation v2023-0125) is a living document to enhance dialogue and consultation.
21 December 2022, the negotiated text on the EU Regulation on halting deforestation is published
The EU regulation on halting deforestation was published. Related important European developments are the wider EU Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (press article 21 June 2022) and the UK Environment Act (esp. schedule 17 on forest-risk commodities).
December 2022, Luxembourg joins the AD Partnership
In december 2022, the EU member state Grand Duchy of Luxembourg formally joined the AD Partnership.
6 December 2022, agreement on EU regulation on halting deforestation
A major recent achievement is the agreement reached on December 6th 2022 by the Trilogue (Commission, Council and Parliament) on an ambitious EU regulation on halting deforestation (press article Council; press article EP).
11 January 2021, new AD Partnership Ambition Statement
The countries of the AD Partnership voiced their new ambition till 2025 and Belgium and Spain joined this new commitment.
AD Partnership Ambition Statement 2025
ADP Status Report 2016-2020
15 September 2020, Open Letter to Vice President Mourão from the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership
The countries forming the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership, i.e. Germany (current chair), Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom, and Belgium sent an open letter to the Brazilian Vice-President Mourão. The Amsterdam Declarations Partnership is specifically committed to achieving sustainable and deforestation-free agricultural commodity supply chains to our countries.
Signed open letter on the German BMEL website.
In the open letter, the countries state the following:
For a long time, Brazil has led the way in reducing deforestation in the Amazon. Over the last couple of years, however, deforestation has increased at alarming rates, most recently documented by INPE. The countries meeting under the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership share the increasing number of concerns raised by European consumers, businesses, investors and civil society about the ongoing deforestation in Brazil.
Brazilian and European governments have long and very closely worked together. We jointly found solutions for sustainable development that strengthen Brazil’s economy, respect its sovereignty and protect areas of high conservation value, such as primary forests in the Amazon. A steady focus of our collaboration has always been involving all relevant stakeholders and respecting people’s rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
In the past, Brazil has demonstrated that it can expand agricultural production while at the same time reducing deforestation. The countries meeting under the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership would expect a renewed and firm political commitment from the Brazilian government to reduce deforestation being reflected in current and real action.
The countries meeting under the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership stand ready to intensify dialogue with actors along the agricultural commodity supply chains, including producers, traders, importers and further relevant stakeholders, including policy makers, civil society, indigenous peoples and scientists, on how to reach sustainable and deforestation-free agro-commodity supply chains and long-term demand for sustainably produced goods.
The countries meeting under the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership would welcome to work on a common agenda, together with other European partners, to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our people, environment and climate.
29 January 2020, European National Soya Initiatives issue a statement.
European National Soya Initiatives Statement
National sustainable soya initiatives have been developed by a range of European conveners to support soya users transition to sustainable soya supply chains. While some have been established and working towards this goal for several years (such as the Dutch and Norwegian) others are relatively recent such as those in Denmark and the UK. Under the umbrella of the Amsterdam Declaration Partnership (and its member governments) these conveners have come together to explore how to support their members but also how they can better collaborate to create more meaningful impact and provide a common market signal. On 29th January 2020 this culminated in the signing of a joint statement of support for soya that is legal and protects forests and valuable native vegetation.
12 June 2019, Launch of the Accountability Framework Initiative and WRI Global Forest Watch Pro
Grants have been provided by the European Commission and some ADP countries.
24 April 2019, Letter by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to First Vice President Frans Timmermans of the European Commission
15 April 2019, Submission by The Netherlands to the European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers
Information Note by The Netherlands (ST_8233_2019_REV_1_EN)
13 February 2019, Germany presents its 10-Points Action Plan on Cocoa
The German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, and the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Gerd Müller, presented a common 10 Points Plan for a sustainable cocoa sector on 23rd of January at the International Green Week in Berlin.
2019, National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS).
Approval of the IDH and Solidaridad programme by the Government of The Netherlands (budget estimated at Euro 52.5 million including a.o. Indonesia, Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria). Inception phase started. The programme will be presented at the ADP Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on 13th June 2019.
5 February 2019, ESPO monitoring report
The European Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative (ESPO) publishes its most recent ESPO monitoring report.
18 December 2018, EU Roadmap on a Communication on Stepping up EU Action against Deforestation and Forest Degradation
The European Commission published the roadmap for the Communication for public consultation:
29 November 2018, Intention Statement Palm Oil Colombia -The Netherlands
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia and the Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands signed a joint statement on promoting deforestation-free, sustainable palm oil with respect for People, Planet and profit and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Colombian palm oil alliance Fedepalma and the Dutch Alliance for Sustainable Palm Oil also signed a statement to also increase trade on sustainable palm oil (2018-1128 Acuerdo Palma con firmas). Earlier in 2017, the Colombian palm oil sector signed a zero deforestation commitment (2017-1118 ACUERDO DE VOLUNTADES PARA LA DEFORESTACIÓN CERO EN LA CADENA DE ACEITE DE PALMA EN COLOMBIA Texto Final).
14 November 2018, France presents its National Strategy against Imported Deforestation (NSID)
The strategy was drawn up during the French presidency of the Amsterdam declarations in the first half of 2018. the NSID will implement actions to end the import of unsustainable forest and agricultural products contributing to deforestation in 2030.The aim will be to reduce deforestation, forest degradation, the conversion of ecosystems and indirect land-use change abroad.
1 November 2018, ADP Denmark Letter to European Commissioners on Deforestation
On 1 November 2018 the Danish Minister for Environment and Food sent a letter to the European Commission on behalf of the AD Partnership calling for a roadmap for the development, in the course of 2018, of an ambitious EU Action Plan on deforestation and forest degradation.
21 June 2018, Launch of the Alliance pour la preservation des forêts. Paris.
The Alliance brings together a group of responsible manufacturers and distributors who have implemented a series of measures designed to fight deforestation.
22-25 April 2018, the 4th World Cocoa Conference approved the Berlin Declaration.
The declaration was approved by all participants lining out responsibilities and recommendations for all stakeholders involved to make the cocoa value chain more sustainable.
19 March 2018, Launch of the UK Roundtable for Sustainable Soya
Major UK retailers and food industry associations have asked for government support in convening key industry stakeholders to address growing concerns about the link between soya and tropical deforestation. The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will convene the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Soya.
5 March 2018, Submission by delegations of ADP countries to the European Union Environment Council
Amsterdam Declarations Combating Imported Deforestation (ST_6528_2018_INIT_EN)
2018-2019, ISEAL Certification Atlas
The ISEAL Alliance is working together with certification standards to put certified sites on the map. Funding is provided by GIZ Germany.
2018, Tropical Forest Alliance
The Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom are members and the three donors renewed their funding to the TFA for a further three years in 2018.