McDonald’s to end deforestation in supply chain

Fast food giant McDonald's has pledged to end deforestation caused by production of commodities in its supply chain.

U.S.-based scientific advocacy group,  Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), welcomed the pledge, saying it was the first by a global fast food chain covering its whole supply chain and would push the industry to set new environmental standards.

McDonald's will focus on products including beef, coffee, palm oil, poultry and packaging and promised on Tuesday not to buy from suppliers that clear primary forest areas and peatlands.

The company also said that it would focus more on human rights with conflicts over land use resolved through a balanced and transparent process.

The firm said it will begin developing specific time-bound targets for the raw materials it sources this year and will help smallholders, farmers, plantation owners and suppliers to comply.

Francesca DeBiase, senior vice president of McDonald's worldwide supply chain and sustainability, said: "Making this pledge is the right thing to do for our company, the planet and the communities in which our supply chain operates."

McDonald's has come under mounting pressure from activists to address deforestation and improve its environmental and socially sustainability.

UCS said the commitment made McDonald's the first global fast food chain to promise to eliminate deforestation from its worldwide supply chain.

UCS analyst Lael Goodman said: "The sheer scale of McDonald's commitment includes significant potential for change, pushing the industry to implement new environmental standards across the board and ultimately reducing climate emissions. However, the commitment is still a work in progress."

WWF's vice president of sustainable food, David McLaughlin, said McDonald's will need to expand monitoring and compliance efforts if it is to be successful with its pledge.

McLaughlin said: "We hope that this commitment will inspire other companies to take action.”