Up to US$941 billion of turnover in publicly listed companies is dependent on commodities linked to deforestation, including soy, palm oil, cattle and timber. Some 87% of companies reporting to CDP identify risks from deforestation and nearly one third (32%) are already experiencing impacts on their business from those risks.

With risks looming, investors are increasingly concerned about deforestation, but a lack of information is leaving them in the dark. In 2017, less than a quarter (23%) of the 838 companies approached by CDP on behalf of investors responded to the request for information.

87% of companies report opportunities associated with addressing deforestation, and as 73% of companies report a commitment to reduce or remove deforestation from their supply chains, there is a large and growing market for deforestation-free commodities.

The Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 suggests the investment opportunity will roughly total US$200 billion annually for deforestation-free investment and financing by 2020.

This year, Brambles, L’Oreal, SCA, Tetra Pak, Unilever, and UPM-Kymmene achieved the top score and have been named as pioneers in tackling deforestation as part of the CDP A List 2017. These companies taking early action - like Unilever, the only company to score As across all four forest-risk commodities - are showing that best-practice on deforestation can go hand-in-hand with long-term profitability.

We are at a Tipping Point for the world’s forests, removing deforestation from supply chains is possible, and those acting early will reaps the benefits.