UK Green Jet Fuel Imports Linked to Illegal Amazon Deforestation
An investigation by Unearthed reveals that UK imports of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are linked to illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), a major US biofuels producer and key supplier to the UK, sources beef tallow from Brazilian rendering plants connected to slaughterhouses involved in illegal land clearing. Because the UK government classifies industrial beef fat as waste, current sustainability certifications do not verify whether the cattle originated from illegally deforested areas. This regulatory loophole allows DGD to supply SAF while potentially relying on feedstocks associated with environmental crimes. The report highlights a significant traceability gap in the green fuel supply chain, where cattle by-products face less oversight than primary commodities like meat. As the UK mandates increasing SAF blends to meet carbon reduction targets, this finding exposes contradictions in the industry's environmental claims. The investigation utilized court documents and shipping data to trace the supply chain, showing that deforestation-driven cattle ranching indirectly fuels the aviation sector's green transition efforts.
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UK Green Jet Fuel Imports Linked to Illegal Amazon Deforestation
An investigation by Unearthed reveals that UK imports of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are linked to illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), a major US biofuels producer and key supplier to the UK, sources beef tallow from Brazilian rendering plants connected to slaughterhouses involved in illegal land clearing. Because the UK government classifies industrial beef fat as waste, current sustainability certifications do not verify whether the cattle originated from illegally deforested areas. This regulatory loophole allows DGD to supply SAF while potentially relying on feedstocks associated with environmental crimes. The report highlights a significant traceability gap in the green fuel supply chain, where cattle by-products face less oversight than primary commodities like meat. As the UK mandates increasing SAF blends to meet carbon reduction targets, this finding exposes contradictions in the industry's environmental claims. The investigation utilized court documents and shipping data to trace the supply chain, showing that deforestation-driven cattle ranching indirectly fuels the aviation sector's green transition efforts.
Unearthed