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The Resilience Dividend: Reframing Deforestation and Conversion-Free Policy as a European Strategic Priority

Policy Brief

Europe

Publication date: April 13, 2026

File format: PDF

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This policy brief examines how agriculture-driven deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems create risks to European food and economic security aspirations, undermining its supply chain resilience. The analysis focuses on the downstream effects deforestation has on supply chain shocks, financial risks, and linkages with illicit forest crime activities. The brief also highlights the opportunities that implementation of deforestation and conversion-free measures offer in building meaningful geopolitical partnerships and enhancing competitiveness prospects for Europe.

Subject Tags

  • Policy, Finance, and Markets
  • Agriculture
  • Forest
Cover image for The Resilience Dividend policy brief.
The Resilience Dividend This policy brief examines how agriculture-driven deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems creates risks to European food and economic security aspirations, undermining its supply chain resilience. © The Nature Conservancy

Abstract

Amidst recent geopolitical uncertainty and ensuing political need to prioritise security and competitiveness objectives in Europe, it is critical to stay the course on other existing priorities. Over the past six years, European countries have developed an ambitious agenda to tackle their deforestation footprint, only for this work to be scaled down in light of fresh challenges to the continent. This can be seen most recently through the second subsequent delay of the EU regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) in November 2025. However, these delays obfuscate the reality that preventing global deforestation is closely tied to Europe’s security and competitiveness. Utilising deforestation and conversion-free (DCF) measures, European governments can equip themselves with tools needed to stabilise increasingly volatile agricultural supply chains, mitigate financial, health, and illicit risks associated with deforestation, and strengthen geopolitical partnerships with key partners. Re-emphasising Europe’s commitment to reducing global deforestation shouldn’t be seen as an obstacle but a key strategic interest.

Executive Summary

View the Executive Summary, which includes recommendations for European policymakers.

View the Summary

Executive Summary

Download and view an Executive Summary of The Resilience Dividend: Reframing Deforestation and Conversion-Free Policy as a European Strategic Priority.

Suggested Citation

The Nature Conservancy. The Resilience Dividend: Reframing Deforestation and Conversion-Free Policy as a European Strategic Priority. Policy Brief no. 3. The Nature Conservancy, April 2026.

TNC Authors

  • Matthew Sielski
    Senior Policy Advisor, Deforestation & Trade
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: matthew.sielski@TNC.ORG