Deforestation and paper packaging

14.12.2023

Question for written answer  E-003683/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
César Luena (S&D)

At its plenary session on 22 November 2023,the European Parliament, adopted its position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Unlike the original Commission proposal, it includes a number of exemptions for cardboard and the paper industry with regard to reuse targets[1]. At the same time, the text recognises the large amounts of virgin raw material used for paper and the waste the latter entails. In addition, the non-governmental organisation WWF has warned that the unsustainable felling of trees for paper and pulp is one of the factors contributing to global deforestation[2].

In view of the above:

• 1.To what extent does the Commission consider that the objectives set out in Parliament’s position for the cardboard and paper industry are sufficient?
• 2.In addition to the Nature Restoration Law, what other measures is the Commission planning to prevent the deterioration of forests in Europe?

Submitted:14.12.2023

• [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0425_EN.pdf.
• [2] https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/ocuoxmdil_Deforestation_fronts___drivers_and_responses_in_a_changing_world___full_report__1_.pdf.