Climate & Environment
Zero Gross Deforestation
Definition
Zero gross deforestation is a supply-chain commitment that prohibits any conversion of forest to agriculture or other land use within the covered scope, measured at the production unit. It contrasts with zero net deforestation, which permits clearing balanced by equivalent reforestation or restoration elsewhere.
References
Supports definition and framing.
Overview
How it is used
Commodity buyers specify gross deforestation-free sourcing with cut-off dates; verification uses satellite monitoring and traceability; companies report the share of volume verified deforestation-free; policy benchmarks assess commitment strength by whether they are gross or net.
Why it matters
Net accounting can mask continued clearing; the gross form provides the clear, enforceable standard that regulation and credible corporate policy increasingly demand.