Norway becomes the first nation to ban deforestation
In a world where forests are disappearing at alarming rates, one country has stepped up in a big way. Norway has become the first nation on Earth to officially ban deforestation - a historic move that sets a powerful global precedent for protecting the planet’s precious ecosystems.
This commitment means Norway will no longer purchase or use any products linked to deforestation, including high-risk commodities like palm oil, soy, beef and timber. Instead, the government has pledged to ensure all public procurement is deforestation-free. Simply put: if a company contributes to clear-cutting forests, Norway won’t buy from them.
Why this matters
Forests are often called the lungs of the planet—and for good reason. They produce the oxygen we breathe, absorb enormous amounts of carbon, and are home to 80% of the world’s land animals and plants. They also support the livelihoods of more than a billion people worldwide.
Yet an area of forest roughly the size of 48 football fields is lost every single minute, largely due to agriculture. When forests fall, carbon pollution rises, biodiversity collapses, and entire ecosystems unravel.
Norway’s policy tackles this head-on by removing the financial incentive behind deforestation. And it doesn’t stop there.
Walking the talk around the world
Alongside the ban, Norway has invested billions in global forest protection. Its partnership with Brazil helped reduce Amazon deforestation by an incredible 75%, preserving ancient rainforest and preventing billions of tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere.
This kind of collaboration shows what’s possible when nations put nature first.
A model for the world to follow
With rainforests disappearing at a pace that could see them vanish within a century, Norway’s bold leadership is a much-needed dose of environmental good news. By recognising the value of forests; not as obstacles, but as life-support systems, Norway is proving that governments can drive real, meaningful change.
Here’s hoping many more countries follow suit.
A win for forests.
A win for wildlife.
A win for the planet.
