“Not on the menu”: McDonald’s promises to end deforestation in supply chain by 2030

SYDNEY, Thursday 10 October 2024 — Fast food giant McDonald’s has announced it will source only deforestation-free products in its supply chain, a move welcomed by Greenpeace Australia Pacific but one that does not go far enough.

McDonald’s last month quietly updated its McDonald’s Commitment on Forests and Natural Ecosystems policy online, committing to eliminate deforestation and address conversion—the practice of clearing natural ecosystems for other agricultural purposes like cattle pasture, mining or palm oil—in its global supply chain by 2030.

The policy, however, does not align with the target of deforestation-free by 2025, as required by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to which McDonald’s is a signatory. The SBTi aims to align corporate business plans with the Paris climate agreement.

Gemma Plesman, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner, said while the announcement is welcomed, McDonald’s must supersize its commitment by aligning with the 2025 deadline.

“McDonald’s deforestation-free commitment is a big and significant step towards addressing the destruction of forests and other natural ecosystems. Australia has one of the world’s worst rates of deforestation, killing or harming about 100 million native animals every year and fuelling climate change.”

McDonald’s is one of Australia’s biggest beef buyers. Australian beef supplies about 65% of McDonald’s stores worldwide, meaning people around the world could be eating burgers from a threatened koala habitat that was bulldozed for beef production. 

“McDonald’s’ purchasing power means it can play a supersized role in positively changing the practices of the entire Australian beef industry and in protecting our forests and wildlife,” Plesman said.

“While McDonald’s has made a strong commitment to eliminate deforestation and address conversion of other natural ecosystems in its supply chain, its deadline of 2030 is five years too late.

“Every day between now and then means more forests lost, wildlife displaced, and damage to our planet. By bringing forward the deadline to 2025 instead of 2030, McDonald’s could help prevent irreversible harm and lead the way for the entire beef industry to act faster.”

The move follows months of public pressure by Greenpeace’s “Take Deforestation off the Menu” campaign, which included a suite of ‘koala burger’ advertisements, a major protest in Melbourne, and several protests across the country.

—ENDS—