An Illustrated guide to Europe’s role in Paraguay forest destruction

21.07.2021 Earthsight’s September 2020 investigation revealed how indigenous land in Paraguay was being illegally cleared for leather destined for use in cars sold across Europe. Grand Theft Chaco provided yet another example of the complicity of European companies, and unwittingly consumers, in accelerating deforestation overseas. It showed why the introduction of strong demand-side regulations are critical to halt consumer markets’ complicity in the rampant destruction of the world’s forests. Thankfully, legislative actions in the UK, Germany and at EU level are underway. These could be landmark laws that have a sizeable impact in reducing Europe’s deforestation footprint but only if they are comprehensive and far-reaching.Recent proposals in Germany and the UK point to the clear need for improvements and more hard-hitting policies, while the EU is set to detail its own supply chain law plans later this year..