Forest Policy

Overview

Rising global demand for meat and processed foods has accelerated the expansion of agriculture into forests and savannas, driving biodiversity loss, increasing climate-related risks, and affecting communities that depend on these ecosystems. Much of the agricultural production driving this deforestation is destined for international markets and passes through the supply chains of multinational companies (MNCs). 

In response, MNCs have introduced forest-focused supply chain policies (FSPs) to reduce deforestation and promote more sustainable sourcing. However, the effectiveness and equity of these voluntary policies remain uncertain, particularly for smallholder farmers who play a key role in deforestation-risk supply chains. Research from our project highlights significant challenges, showing that many FSPs are poorly communicated, insufficiently tailored to farmers’ needs, and can exacerbate tensions between companies and producers, ultimately limiting their effectiveness in reducing deforestation.

Project Actions

To address persistent challenges in reducing commodity-driven deforestation, the project developed and tested innovative supply chain policies designed to strengthen pro-environmental social norms and improve farmers’ awareness of sustainable land-use practices. Interventions were implemented in 27 palm oil-producing villages in Sumatra, Indonesia, and 59 cocoa-producing villages in Côte d’Ivoire, both major deforestation-risk regions. The approach combined behavioural tools including collective action activities, public conservation commitments, community environmental champions, and village-level competitions to encourage sustained engagement and behaviour change.

The project also introduced significant methodological innovations, implementing the first conservation-focused randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in partnership with multinational companies within global supply chains. Impacts were assessed using novel approaches, including WhatsApp-based surveys, incentive mechanisms to improve the accuracy of farmer reporting, and high-frequency monitoring of deforestation outcomes. Together, these innovations enabled deeper farmer engagement and demonstrated new approaches for applying behavioural science within supply chain sustainability initiatives.

Key Impacts

1. The project increased awareness of equity in supply chain sustainability governance, highlighting the need to involve communities in policy design, improve transparency, and accommodate differing producer capacities to reduce the risk of market exclusion. These insights are particularly relevant as governments move from voluntary corporate commitments towards binding trade and due-diligence regulations.
2. It has directly engaged more than 5,800 farmers across Indonesia and Côte d’Ivoire, increasing awareness of deforestation, agroforestry, and local environmental outcomes in 86 villages. It also built capacity among company staff through training in norm-based sustainability interventions.
3. Project findings informed policymakers, companies, and NGOs, strengthening calls for zero-deforestation policies that protect livelihoods and market access. In Indonesia, the Regent of Aceh Singkil highlighted the importance of social equity and local leadership in forest conservation at the 2026 inter-village competition awards ceremony.
4. The project has led to follow-on collaboration with the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to develop approaches for monitoring and mitigating smallholder equity risks associated with the UK Deforestation Regulation.

The project is led by PI Rachael Garrett who is the Moran Professor of Conservation and Development within the Department of Geography.  Read more and download resources on the project website: Conservation Development Lab