WWF-Belgium: Nature & climate policies

🌍🍫 Dear policymakers, the path to a better, more sustainable world starts with strong action. The chocolate industry, a cornerstone of Belgium's pride and economy, can thrive without deforestation and environmental harm. By enforcing robust regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), we can protect forests, support biodiversity, and ensure that the cocoa supply chain respects both people and the planet. During this festive season, let’s remember that sustainable chocolate is not just a dream—it’s a reality we can build together. Your leadership can make this possible. 🎄 Wishing you Happy Holidays! Let’s commit to a greener future for chocolate and forests alike. 🍫 #MerryTreesmas #SustainableChocolate #EUDR #DeforestationFreeSupplyChains

🍫🌍 Deforestation: the elephant in the room! 🐘 Côte d'Ivoire, once home to hundreds of thousands of elephants, now has just 200-400 left. The drive to meet global chocolate demand has led to deforestation, even in protected areas, destroying the habitats of these majestic animals. As forests vanish, so do the elephants. Another way is possible. The chocolate industry has the power to create a change, developing deforestation & conversion-free supply chains. 🍫 #Deforestation #ElephantConservation #SustainableChocolate #BiodiversityCrisis #EUDR

Why should policymakers care about deforestation and the chocolate industry? 🌍🍫 Deforestation is not only an environmental crisis—it’s a major threat to the chocolate industry, a key pillar of the Belgian economy. With over €7 billion in annual revenue, 14,200 jobs, and global recognition for quality, the chocolate sector is vulnerable to disruptions caused by deforestation. Altered rain cycles, crop failures, and supply instability threaten production, cost-efficiency, and market leadership. Policymakers must enforce regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), properly to ensure sustainable sourcing practices that protect forests, secure supply chains, and preserve Belgium’s global reputation for sustainability. The future of both the environment and the industry depend on it. 🌱✨ #Sustainability #Deforestation #PolicyAction #ChocolateIndustry #EUDR

2023 was the hottest year ever recorded in the 174-year observational record. 🌡️ This stark reminder of the escalating climate crisis underscores the urgent need for action. Deforestation-related emissions account for nearly 95% of the carbon footprint of cocoa production. 🌍 When forests are cleared, much of the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, significantly contributing to climate change.  Land use change, primarily deforestation, is responsible for 12–20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If we are to limit climate change as much as possible and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, businesses must act now. Corporate responsibility is crucial—your impact is far greater than individual change. A deforestation-free chocolate is possible! We call on all stakeholders in the chocolate sector to:   ✅ Advocate for strong, clear EU regulations that effectively protect forests, biodiversity, and communities. ✅ Support the full implementation of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).  Now is the time to act and protect our planet for future generations. Together, we can make a difference. #EUDR #Chocolate #Together4Forests #Deforestation #EU #Belgium

Last Friday morning, Euronext, Belgian's stockmarket regulator, joined the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action (BACA). This is a bold call to action for BEL20 members and beyond. Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO of UCB, got the honor to ring the Bell at Friday morning's Bell ceremony.   Highlights of this important moment: 👉 Euronext joins the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action. 👉 UCB sets a strong example as the first #BEL20 company with a validated net zero 2045 target 👉 The Shift vzw calls for bold leadership to make Europe a champion of the net zero, circular economy 👉 WWF-België stresses that we need the private sector to make this transition a succes. Becoming a member of BACA is a great step in the right direction.   Together with our partner The Shift, WWF-België founded BACA in 2020 to help organisations to become climate neutral. They can do this by applying for #ScienceBasedTargets, that provides organisations with a clearly-defined path to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals. More than 6,000 businesses around the world are already working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In Belgium 90 companies are now a member, some already have validated targets, others are still in the proces to draft targets.   Today, half of #BEL20 companies already engages with the SBT methodology. 5 BEL20 companies are BACA members: Cofinimmo, Elia, D'Ieteren, Umicore & UCB.   BACA is one of many Alliances for Climate Action that WWF started in several countries. They are an important element in WWF's strategy to activate and push corporate action forward. The private sector is one of the main stakeholders that will have to make the transition a succes. The succes of the SBTi proves that many companies are now getting ready to take on their responsability and want to invest in the race to Net-Zero. #RacetoNetZero #climateaction #sciencebasedtargets ©Jules Toulet

Deforestation and Conversion-Free Chocolate: A Future Within Reach 🍫   A deforestation & conversion-free chocolate is no longer just an aspiration—it’s becoming a reality for forward-thinking companies. Brands like Ritter Sport, Belvas Organic & Fairtrade Chocolates, and Tony's Chocolonely have already taken significant steps toward sustainable sourcing and responsible production. Here’s how you can take action and drive change within your own business: Commit to Science-Based Targets (SBTi): 🌍 Align your environmental goals with global climate targets and have them verified by SBTi to show real progress. SBTi focuses on reducing Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from supply chains—such as deforestation linked to land-use changes.  Use the Chocolate Scorecard: 📊 Leverage tools like the Scorecard to source from supply chains that actively work to eliminate deforestation and promote sustainability. Partner with WWF: 🌱 Collaborate with experts at WWF to guide your journey toward zero-deforestation cocoa and enhance your sourcing practices. Engage Your Teams with Forest Fresk: 🌳 Raise awareness throughout your company with a Forest Fresk workshop. This powerful tool educates and inspires employees about the impacts of deforestation and the importance of sustainable sourcing. By embracing these strategies, the chocolate industry can pave the way to a future where delicious chocolate is made without sacrificing our forests. 💚   #EUDR #Chocolate #Together4Forests #Deforestation #EU #Belgium

The EU's proposal to lower the #wolf's protection status in Europe has been voted yesterday in the #BernConvention meeting. This decision puts the #species at risk in Europe and undermines years of #conservation efforts, explains our expert Laurence Drèze. ❌ This decision is NOT based on science. ➡️ Most wolf populations, like the ones in Belgium, are still at risk as only 3 of 9 wolf sub-populations in Europe are “Least Concern” (IUCN 2022). ➡️ A study commissioned by the EU Parliament's PETI Committee concluded that preventive measures are the most rational and effective means of reducing and preventing depredation on livestock and that the culling and hunting of large carnivores is generally ineffective, or even counterproductive, in reducing depredation on livestock, unless the level of removal is so high that it compromises the viability and functionality of the carnivore population. The use of culling risks increasing attacks on farm animals, as it can disrupt the social structure of wolves. ➡️ ClientEarth, an ngo that specializes in judicial procedures, is concerned that this decision is flawed, they say that it is now being investigated by the EU Ombudsman. ✅ Successful coexistence between man and wolf has been demonstrated in several regions of Europe, including in Belgium, thanks to effective preventive measures such as the installation of different types of fences, the acquisition of guard dogs for livestock and the guarding of flocks. "With the wolf’s conservation status still far from favorable, Belgium cannot and should not act on this weakened protection. In Flanders, we see progress: livestock owners are adapting fences, damage from the Limburg pack has been minimal this year, and volunteers of the Wolf Fencing Team Belgium stand ready to assist livestock owners. These efforts show that coexistence is possible," says Pepijn T'Hooft, Program manager at WWF-Belgium. 📣 WWF asks Belgian policymakers to keep science at the core of all nature policies, including when it comes to coexisting with the wolf. #BernConvention #EU #Conservation #Species #Wolf #Biodiversity #Science #Coexistance

For centuries, Belgian chocolate has been a symbol of quality, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. From pioneering pralines to shaping the global fine chocolate industry, it’s a national treasure that fills us with pride. However, behind this sweet success lies a bitter reality. Belgian chocolate, particularly its key ingredient—cocoa—is tied to environmental and social challenges that cast a shadow on its reputation.  Forests, essential to life on Earth, are in crisis. They host over half of the world’s species, provide fresh water, absorb carbon, and sustain billions of people. Yet, they are being devastated—cleared for agriculture, fuel, and timber, fueling climate change, destroying biodiversity, and displacing local communities. The current unsustainable food systems only exacerbate this destruction, prioritizing short-term expansion over long-term restoration. 🛑 Cocoa is the top commodity driving Belgium's exposure to deforestation. This cannot continue. The chocolate industry has a responsibility—not only to protect its legacy but also to ensure its supply chains are deforestation & conversion-free.  We call on all policy-makers to:   ✅ Advocate for strong, clear EU regulations that effectively protect forests, biodiversity, and communities. ✅ Support the full implementation of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Together, we can protect our forests and ensure a sustainable future for chocolate. 🌱 #EUDR #Chocolate #Together4Forests #Deforestation #EU #Belgium

#COP29 is over. Read our final analysis on why this outcome is not what it should have been, and why developing countries are rightfully outraged. 🖋️Sign our open letter to urge Belgian governments to act for climate: FR: https://lnkd.in/eDUGCG2z NL: https://lnkd.in/eHDA2g8F 📢You can also read our press release: FR: https://lnkd.in/eAMmaGnv NL: https://lnkd.in/edz2YpYy #Climate #COP29Bakoe #finance #NCQG #WWF

𝗔𝘁 𝗖𝗢𝗣, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲. On Thursday morning a new draft of the COP29 climate finance agreement - known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (#NCQG) - was published. The new text is more streamlined than previous versions, but still does not include an agreed target figure for the final goal. Negotiators now have just a few days to resolve outstanding divisions and decide a finance target that can ensure support for crucial climate action in developing countries for decades to come. The lack of a finance target in this draft is a worrying sign that the most challenging decisions are being left to the last minute. Also no decission yet on the donorbase. Developped countries want this to be expanded to countries like China, who's economies and emissions have grown considerably during the last decade. Up till now, no developped country has suggested any number for the final finance goal. Only the EU came with 200 to 300 billion but this was dismissed by the G77 (134 countries) + China as 'a joke'. WWF’s expectation is that the NCQG should establish a minimum floor of US$1 trillion annually in predominantly grant-based funding, reflecting the needs of developing countries. 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮? Some observers hope that China will step in deus-e-machina wise before the end of this COP. At the G20, Xi Jinping announced steps to support the Global South and made the case for multilateral cooperation. Now it seemes that China is making noises that suggest it could fill a US vacuum. 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  In the GGA (Global Goal on Adaptation) negotiations, the draft text reflects key elements discussed but leaves issues on means of implementation (MOI), standing agenda item on GGA, Task Force on Adaptation, and transformational adaptation action as options for final consultations. Language on gender and nature is weak and must be strengthened in the indicator development process. Agreement on MOI indicators is essential to ensure adaptation finance, capacity, and technology needs are met transparently for effective implementation of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  The draft NCQG text contains one welcome reference to the “synergies and interdependencies between finance for climate, biodiversity, land degradation and the sustainable development goals”. The draft GGA contains one reference to the inclusion of indicators “that are relevant to specific ecosystems”. The package does not contain any substance on the role of ecosystems such as ocean and forest for climate mitigation and adaptation, or any attempt to advance synergistic work between Rio Conventions. No mention of nature-based solutions in the draft texts. It's clear that the coming days negotiators will have some particularly hard nuts to crack, once again. #COP29 #COP29Bakoe #ClimateFinance