Companies profit, forests fall: everyone pays the price

In a pivotal year for climate and nature, Global Canopy’s 11th annual Forest 500 report reveals new data on the most influential companies in the deforestation economy.

Drawing on more than 300,000 data points, the 2025 report assesses 500 of the most influential companies across nine forest risk commodities – beef, leather, palm oil, soy, timber, pulp and paper, cocoa, coffee and rubber. Together, these commodities drive nearly 60% of global deforestation. 

Forest 500 now includes all forest types – boreal, temperate, sub-temperate and tropical – bringing more companies and more ecosystems into the spotlight.

This year’s findings

While a handful of companies have shown leadership, the vast majority are still failing to act on their deforestation risks.

The leaders

The leaders are a small minority of 16 companies (3%). They have strong commitments for all their forest risk commodities and evidence of adequate implementation. They demonstrate that deforestation can be moved out of global supply chains, but even they have a way to go. These companies have shown that it is possible to assess risks, trace supply chains and take concrete steps towards eliminating deforestation.

The late majority

In the late majority sit 316 companies (63%) which have partial commitments and/or weak implementation. Companies in this group tend to make commitments for high-profile commodities like palm oil or timber while ignoring beef, which is the single biggest driver of global deforestation. They might also make strong commitments but score poorly on action. This limited approach hampers progress and undermines global deforestation goals.

The laggards

The 168 laggards (34%) don’t have a public deforestation commitment. 24 of these are persistent laggards – they’ve never made any kind of deforestation commitment after more than a decade in the Forest 500. Their inaction jeopardises their long-term sustainability and the future of our forests.

The way forward

Deforestation is a collective problem requiring collective action. Forest risk commodities can be produced without harming forests or people. 

Leading companies have shown that it is possible to assess risks, trace supply chains and take concrete steps towards eliminating deforestation.

Compared with a decade ago, the tools, data and guidance available to tackle deforestation, conversion and the associated human rights abuses have become far more sophisticated and easier to use. 

Download the 11th annual Forest 500 report