Tell your legislator to support the California Deforestation Free Procurement Act!

Companies like Cargill, Pepsico, Kroger, and Aramark have a legacy of selling goods produced at the expense of endangered species, Indigenous rainforest communities, and the vast jungles that stabilize our climate.

For the very first time, we have the chance to pass legislation that will force Big Ag and consumer goods companies to prove that they are deforestation free and that they didn't steal land from Indigenous communities.

But we need you with us to ensure this groundbreaking legislation passes.

Comments

Dear Honorable Members of the California Legislature,

I write to express my support for Assembly Bill 572, the California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act. This bill will contribute to global efforts to end tropical deforestation by ensuring that entities contracting with the State of California do not contribute to tropical deforestation directly or through their supply chains.

Tropical deforestation is the third leading driver of global CO2 emissions, is a major driver of species extinction and is driving indigenous peoples to the edge of survival. Tropical deforestation in many countries is closely associated with criminality and violence against land defenders, and illegal wildlife trafficking. And California has a chance to help bring tropical deforestation to an end.

The main driver of tropical deforestation is industrial-scale production of agricultural commodities known as “forest-risk commodities,” including palm oil, soy, cattle, rubber, paper/pulp and timber. Products containing these commodities are widely consumed – making virtually all consumers inadvertently contributing to global tropical forest destruction.

As the fifth largest economy in the world, California’s purchasing power can be a vast force for good. Our state already plans to reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. And we are a signatory to the New York Declaration on Forests, whose goal is to end deforestation by 2030. What better way to start than by regulating our state’s purchasing of the very products that are destroying the world’s rainforests?

AB 572 will require state contracts that include forest-risk commodities to certify that they have not contributed to tropical deforestation. The bill would also require those state contractors dealing with forest-risk commodities to have in place a No Deforestation policy.

I therefore respectfully encourage you, the members of the California Legislature, to support the passage of AB 572.

Thank you for your public service, and for your commitment to the earth and her people!
{user_data~First name} {user_data~Last name}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Postcode}

First name

Last name

Email address

Address line 1

City

State

Zip Code

What is your cell phone number?

Alerts about ways you can take action

Friends of the Earth Action Activists

By submitting this form, you are signing up to receive updates and alerts from Friends of the Earth and Friends of the Earth Action. You may unsubscribe at any time.

By providing your mobile number and submitting this form, you are signing up to receive periodic SMS messages from Friends of the Earth and Friends of the Earth Action. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 91990 to stop receiving messages. Text HELP to 91990 for more information. Terms & conditions.