The term "deforestation" refers to the process of progressively eliminating tree vegetation in a wooded or forested area, with consequences for the climate, soil, and biodiversity. To combat deforestation, a global issue that increasingly burdens the global ecosystem, it is necessary to promote the sustainable management and exploitation of forests.

Causes of Deforestation

Deforestation involves the cutting down of trees at a rate higher than their regrowth. This phenomenon is due to human activities, mostly for commercial purposes.

The main driver of deforestation is agriculture, both subsistence and intensive; the conversion of forests into cultivated land is the primary cause of forest area loss, along with livestock grazing.

In addition to these causes, urban and infrastructural development is the leading cause of deforestation in Europe.

Finally, the demand for precious wood also substantially contributes to the phenomenon, increasing the cutting of trees in equatorial and tropical forests. Additionally, wood remains the primary raw material used as fuel.

Deforestation Worldwide

According to the FAO, between 1990 and 2020, 420 million hectares of forest were lost due to deforestation. These data refer to the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asia. In Europe, however, forests have increased by 10%. EU imports are responsible for 16% of global deforestation.

Solutions to Reduce Deforestation

To address the problem of deforestation, it is important to implement a policy of promoting sustainable agriculture, which can exploit smaller areas of land through crop rotation systems. Global planning for the management of forest ecosystems and a series of immediate reforestation actions are useful remedies for the problem.

PAL Green Division's engagement

Among the areas of expertise in which PAL Green Division operates is the sector of recovering waste wood to create new products. The division operates with a Life Cycle Thinking approach, sensitive to new environmental issues and their protection.