Corporate Engagement in Landscape Approaches to Deforestation Rises 70 Percent

The number of companies disclosing engagement in Landscape and Jurisdictional approaches to deforestation through CDP increased by more than 70 percent between 2020 and 2021, rising from 27 to 47 companies. CDP's new report argues that these collective governance frameworks are essential for meeting the global commitment made at COP26 by over 140 countries to end deforestation by 2030.

Landscape and Jurisdictional approaches provide a management framework that integrates the actions of multiple stakeholders — companies, governments and communities — within a defined geographic area toward a shared sustainability goal. CDP's analysis of its Forest questionnaire, completed by 865 companies in 2021, finds that while corporate understanding of these approaches is growing, engagement remains concentrated in a small number of geographies. In 2020, 687 companies disclosed using the questionnaire; by 2021 that rose to 865, reflecting the expansion of voluntary environmental reporting globally.

CDP argues that systemic deforestation drivers cannot be addressed through individual corporate or government action alone. Landscape and Jurisdictional approaches allow companies to fulfil no-deforestation commitments while aligning with subnational government sustainability plans, scaling traceability and monitoring efforts, and contributing to national environmental targets. For supply chains exposed to high-deforestation-risk commodities — a material concern for Indian importers of palm oil, soy and timber products — these frameworks offer a structured route to supply chain risk reduction.

CDP plans to introduce new disclosure questions in 2022 covering both corporate and subnational government engagement with Landscape and Jurisdictional approaches, with the aim of raising awareness and guiding implementation. Corporate engagement can take the form of contributing to specific landscape goals, taking direct actions within a jurisdiction, or providing financial commitments to initiatives. CDP will monitor outcomes through its standardised reporting framework and invites all disclosing companies and subnational governments to increase their participation in these approaches.

Key figure — 70% increase in companies disclosing Landscape and Jurisdictional approach engagement (27 to 47 companies, 2020-2021)