BRUSSELS

EU consumption was responsible for the loss of 149 million trees worldwide between 2021 and 2023, according to new research commissioned by environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on Tuesday.

The study examines the impact of EU demand for key commodities, including soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, leather, rubber, and industrial roundwood, and finds that the bloc's consumption led to an average loss of 50 million trees per year, equivalent to 100 trees every minute.

WWF says the findings highlight the urgent need for full and timely implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), warning against any weakening or postponement of the rules.

According to the report, chocolate consumption within the EU drives the loss of more than 10 million trees annually. Beef and leather products contribute to another loss of 10 million trees per year, while EU use of palm oil results in the removal of more than 6 million trees.

Around 6.4 million trees are lost annually due to soy imports, largely for animal feed used in products such as fish, cheese, and eggs. Coffee consumption accounts for the loss of over 3 million trees per year.

- Germany has largest footprint

The data estimates the "final consumption footprint" of products in each EU member state after trade and complex supply-chain transformations.

Germany accounts for the highest annual loss with 13 million trees, followed by Spain (6.5 million) and France (6.3 million).

On a per-capita basis, the Netherlands leads with 272 trees lost per 1,000 residents annually, ahead of Luxembourg (226) and Finland (177).

WWF also assessed the carbon impact linked to delayed enforcement of the EUDR, based on typical import volumes of regulated commodities.

Across the EU, a one-year postponement could result in 16.8 million tons of imported emissions -- comparable to every London resident flying to New York three times in one year.

The report estimates that full implementation of the EUDR could prevent 387 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, equivalent to permanently shutting down eight large coal-fired power plants.

WWF warns that without swift enforcement, rising import trends could push additional emissions even higher, reaching an extra 17.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent.