Amazon Deforestation Threatens Switzerland’s Environmental Impact: Urgent Call for Action in Addressing a 40-Year Crisis

PublishedSeptember 15, 2025, 22:25

Deforestation: The Amazon has lost the equivalent of 12 times Switzerland in 40 years

Breeding, fires due to drought as well as the exploitation of resources of all kinds under jaïr Bolsonaro severely amputated the lung of the planet.

In Brazil, deforestation in Amazon increased from 4% from August 2024 to July 2025, in particular due to devastating fires favored by the historic drought that hit the country last year.

AFP

The Amazonian forest in Brazil was amputated in four decades of a surface close to that of Spain (some 500,000 km²) and approaches a “point of no return”, according to data published Monday by the Mapbiomas surveillance network.

“No non-return”

In the largest country in Latin America, the largest tropical forest on the planet lost 49.1 million hectares from 1985 to 2024, according to satellite data compiled by this network grouping NGOs, universities and technology companies.

The Amazon approaches the “point of no return beyond which the forest can no longer last” as such, because it threatens to reach the threshold of 20-25% of lost indigenous vegetation, explains Bruno Ferreira, researcher of Mapbiomas, quoted in a press release. “During significant losses of vegetation, the rain cycle is broken and large areas tend to turn into a savannah,” he explains to AFP.

Brazil, which in November welcomes the UN conference on the COP30 COP30 climate in the Amazonian city of Belem, is home to around 60% of the Amazon forest, or 421 million hectares in total. In 2024, the area occupied by human activities, especially agricultural, reached 15.3%, according to Mapbiomas.

Breeding surface multiplied by five

The surface occupied by breeding was practically multiplied by five from 1985 to 2024, reaching 56.1 million hectares. The forest plays a crucial role in the absorption of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

In Brazil, deforestation in Amazon increased from 4% from August 2024 to July 2025, in particular due to devastating fires favored by the historic drought that hit the country last year.

But she had clearly dropped before with the return to power in January 2023 of the left president Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, after strong increases under the mandate of her far -right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

(The/RK)

How does Switzerland’s reliance on imported commodities contribute to deforestation in the Amazon, despite not directly clearing forests?

The Amazon-Switzerland Connection: A Surprisingly Direct Link

For many, the link between the Amazon rainforest and Switzerland seems distant. however,Switzerland is a important importer of commodities – beef,soy,palm oil,cocoa,and timber – directly linked to deforestation in the Amazon basin. This import reliance creates a ample indirect land use impact, meaning Switzerland contributes to deforestation even without directly clearing amazonian forests. The scale of this impact has been escalating for four decades, creating a critical environmental crisis. Understanding this connection is crucial for enacting effective change. Key terms include Amazon rainforest destruction, Swiss commodity imports, and deforestation footprint.

The 40-Year Trend: A History of Increasing Impact

The increasing demand for these commodities, driven by both Swiss consumption and European markets accessed through Swiss trade, has fueled a steady rise in Amazon deforestation.

* 1985-2005: Initial increases in agricultural expansion within the Amazon, largely driven by cattle ranching and soy production, began to impact Switzerland’s supply chains. Early awareness campaigns focused on sustainable sourcing were limited in scope.

* 2005-2015: A period of accelerated deforestation, coinciding with increased global demand for commodities.Swiss imports of soy for animal feed saw a significant rise, directly correlating with forest loss.

* 2015-2025: Despite growing international pressure and commitments to reduce deforestation, the trend has continued, albeit with fluctuating rates. The complexity of supply chains and lack of robust traceability systems remain major obstacles.Sustainable supply chains and traceability in agriculture are vital areas for improvement.

Specific commodities and Their impact

Let’s break down the key commodities and their contribution to amazon deforestation:

* Beef: Switzerland imports a significant amount of beef, some of wich originates from cattle raised on land cleared from the Amazon. This is a major driver of deforestation, as ranchers often clear forests to create pastureland.

* Soy: primarily used as animal feed, soy production is a leading cause of deforestation. Large-scale soy farms are expanding into previously forested areas, displacing biodiversity and contributing to climate change. Soy moratorium efforts have had limited success.

* Palm Oil: Found in numerous food and cosmetic products,palm oil production is linked to deforestation,particularly in Southeast Asia,but also increasingly in the Amazon as producers seek new land.

* Cocoa: While not as significant as beef and soy, cocoa production in some Amazonian regions contributes to deforestation through small-scale clearing for plantations.

* Timber: Illegal logging and unsustainable timber harvesting practices continue to threaten the Amazon rainforest, with some timber ending up in European markets, including switzerland. Illegal logging in the Amazon is a persistent problem.

Environmental Consequences for Switzerland

The impact of amazon deforestation isn’t confined to South America. It has direct consequences for Switzerland:

* Climate Change: The Amazon rainforest plays a vital role in regulating the global climate. Deforestation reduces the rainforest’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. Switzerland, already experiencing the effects of climate change (glacial melt, increased frequency of extreme weather events), is particularly vulnerable.

* Biodiversity Loss: The Amazon is home to an unparalleled diversity of plant and animal species. Deforestation leads to habitat loss and species extinction, impacting global biodiversity.

* Water Cycle Disruption: The Amazon rainforest generates a significant amount of rainfall, influencing regional and even global weather patterns.Deforestation disrupts the water cycle, potentially leading to droughts and floods.

* Increased Risk of zoonotic diseases: Deforestation brings humans into closer contact with wildlife, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans).

Regulatory Frameworks and Swiss Initiatives

Switzerland is taking steps, albeit slowly, to address its contribution to Amazon deforestation.

* The Swiss Federal Council: Has acknowledged the issue and is exploring options for strengthening due diligence requirements for companies importing commodities linked to deforestation.

* The Ordinance on Due Diligence in the supply Chain (DDSC): While not specifically focused on deforestation, the DDSC requires companies to identify and address human rights and environmental risks in their supply chains, which can include deforestation.

* private Sector Initiatives: Several Swiss companies are voluntarily committing to sustainable sourcing practices and working to improve traceability in their supply chains. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly vital.

* NGO advocacy: Organizations like WWF Switzerland and Pro Rainforest are actively campaigning for stronger regulations and increased corporate accountability.

challenges and Obstacles to progress

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain:

* Complexity of Supply Chains: Tracing commodities back to their origin is often challenging, making it challenging to ensure sustainable sourcing.

* Lack of Enforcement: Existing regulations may lack sufficient enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

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