World Is Missing the 2030 Deforestation Goal — Here’s How Far

Forest Loss Widens Gap to 2030 Zero-Deforestation

A fresh Forest Declaration Assessment finds the world drifting away from its forest promise. In 2024 we lost 8.1 million hectares of forest—about half of England—putting the 2030 zero-deforestation goal 63% off course. Fires alone erased 6.7 million hectares and released an estimated 3.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases. Money is still misaligned: public finance for forests averages ~€5bn a year, while ~€353bn in annual subsidies continues to fuel activities that drive deforestation. There are bright spots—Brazil’s Amazon decline since 2023, the DRC’s new land-use law, and the Escazú Agreement in Latin America—but progress is uneven. With COP30 around the corner, negotiators will push forest finance reforms and a roadmap to close the ~€58bn annual funding gap. For businesses, expect tougher scrutiny of forest-risk supply chains and disclosures—and plan for real, time-bound action.

***

Further reading: ‘Forests are non-negotiable’: World off course to meet 2030 deforestation pledge

Instagram to Roll Out PG-13–Style Controls for Teen Accounts

Instagram will apply a PG-13–style standard to all teen accounts, placing users under 18 in a default 13+ setting. Parents must approve any opt-out. Beyond existing limits on sexually suggestive and graphic content, Meta says the new controls will also hide or stop recommending posts with strong language, risky stunts, or content that may encourage harmful behavior (e.g., marijuana paraphernalia). Search terms like “alcohol” or “gore” will be blocked, including misspellings. Like the PG-13/12A film ratings, the policy won’t fully ban non-sexual nudity or moderate violence. The rollout starts in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with Europe and other regions to follow early next year. The move comes amid UK Ofcom pressure for a “safety-first” approach and outside criticism that many safety tools are ineffective. Campaigners are calling for transparency and independent testing of Instagram’s protections.

***
Further reading: Instagram to bring in version of PG-13 system to protect children, says Meta

Greenpeace Threatens Legal Action Against Crown Estate Over Offshore Wind Costs

​​Greenpeace UK says it may sue the Crown Estate, accusing it of exploiting its monopoly over the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland by running “aggressive” auctions that drive up costs for offshore wind developers. The group argues rationed seabed supply and high option fees risk slowing the UK’s wind build-out and keeping bills higher. The Crown Estate—whose net revenue is paid to the Treasury—reported £1.1bn profit last year and says Greenpeace misreads its duties. It adds that option fees are set by developers in open, competitive auctions, ensuring taxpayers receive value from a scarce public resource. The Treasury called the Estate independent and said profits support public services. With the UK targeting a fourfold increase in offshore wind by 2030, industry will watch whether auction design changes—or a court challenge—follow before the next leasing round.

***

Further reading: Greenpeace threatens to sue crown estate for driving up cost of offshore wind

For the latest updates, visit our LinkedIn page

EU Clears Boeing’s $4.7B Spirit AeroSystems Deal After Divestments

The European Commission approved Boeing’s $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems after Boeing agreed to remedies to protect competition. The planemaker will divest all Spirit businesses that supply aerostructures to Airbus, and sell Spirit’s Malaysia site to Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), enabling a new rival to enter the market. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said the commitments preserve competition and help ensure aircraft makers get parts at competitive prices. Boeing said the deal will improve quality control and manufacturing, while Spirit called the approval a milestone and still expects closing this quarter, subject to remaining conditions. U.S. approval is still pending. The tie-up is aimed at streamlining Boeing’s supply chain and stabilizing output following years of quality challenges, while ensuring Airbus retains access to competitive aerostructure supply under the EU’s conditions.

***

Further reading: Boeing gains EU antitrust nod for $4.7 billion Spirit AeroSystems deal

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Annie Spratt