Eight out of 10 Europeans, in nine countries of the European Union, including Portugal, support a strong law to defend deforestation-free products, reveals a survey released this Monday by the Deco and Zero associations.
The study covered 9,000 people (1,000 in each country) and aimed to assess the opinion of citizens on the regulation of products “free of deforestation and forest degradation.”
The conclusions, known on the occasion of the Day of the Amazon, indicate that the protection of forests is a priority issue for Europeans and “critical” for the Portuguese. Eight out of 10 Portuguese support “a law of products free of strong deforestation”, reads the document released by Consumer Protection in collaboration with the environmental association.
Portuguese consumers, according to the information released, “do not want” products that cause deforestation.
The organizations highlight that the survey shows “unequivocal support from citizens” for the new legislation, a few days after it is debated, in the European Parliament (September 13), a regulation proposal that aims to guarantee that supply chains European forests do not cause deforestation. .
The vast majority of Europeans (82%) believe that companies should not sell products that destroy the world’s forests and 78% believe that the marketing of products that lead to deforestation should be prohibited.
The destruction and degradation of forests is seen by those surveyed as the most worrying environmental problem (77%), followed by air pollution (74%).
“For the Portuguese, this concern is even more marked, with 91% of those surveyed expressing extreme or moderate concern”underline associations.
Large corporations were identified as having the primary responsibility for protecting the world’s forests (46%), along with international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), national governments and the European Union (44%, 42% and 39%). %, respectively).
Large companies were also identified as having the “worst performer” in fulfilling this mission by 64% of respondents.
Logging, industrial agriculture and the energy sector are seen as the biggest contributors to deforestation. The production of meat and soy-based foods are among the four areas considered most linked to deforestation, in a list headed by furniture and palm oil.
“The survey shows that consumers are prepared to stop buying from companies that contribute to deforestation (37%) or reduce purchases (36%), with a small group, 15% of those who would change their consumption pattern, he would even be willing to convince other people to boycott the companies in question,” the document reads.
In Portugal, indicates the same source, the figures are even more significant: 41% would stop buying products from these companies, 40% would reduce purchases and 17% would be willing to convince others to boycott them.
Deco and Zero guaranteed that they will accompany the legislative process at the European level, in defense of “truly sustainable” products, which safeguard the human rights of local and indigenous peoples, thousands of kilometers away.
“At this time, it is up to MEPs to exercise their duty of representation to ensure that new legislation reflects the expectations and aspirations of European citizens and consumers,” the two organizations said in a joint statement.
The survey was carried out between July 10 and 28.
Source: Observadora
