How tracking product sources may help save world’s forests

Global businesses are increasingly pledging to obtain key commodities only from sources that do not contribute to deforestation. Now, nonprofit groups are deploying data tools that help hold these companies to their promises by tracing the origins of everything from soy to timber to beef.

New briefing on VPAs, land-use governance and NDCs

The EU FLEGT and EU REDD facilities have released a briefing exploring how VPAs, REDD+ and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) initiatives offer opportunities for the forest and land-use sectors to contribute to achieving national climate change objectives and improving forest governance.

EU and Central African Republic assess progress towards restart of support to VPA implementation

The Central African Republic and the European Union held the third meeting of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in Brazzaville on 7-9 December 2016.

Report flags four factors for action against illegal logging to address

Growing global efforts to address illegal logging must broaden to address the multidimensional nature of the problem, according to a report launched at the 13th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity on 3 December.

EU and Indonesia hail milestone in partnership against illegal logging

Representatives of the EU and Indonesia last week celebrated the start of Indonesia’s FLEGT licensing scheme for exports of verified legal timber.

Chatham House releases summary report on FLEGT and SDGs workshop

Chatham House has published a summary of its workshop called ‘Integrating FLEGT and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ held on 28 September, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.

FAO launches traceability publication with African case studies

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new publication that can provide insight to countries and businesses establishing successful timber traceability systems.

Indonesia and EU celebrate launch of FLEGT licensing

High-level representatives of the EU and Indonesia have celebrated the launch of Indonesia’s FLEGT licensing scheme in a ceremony in Jakarta on 24 November 2016.

Ghana advances towards FLEGT licensing

Ghana is making good progress in implementing its Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU ahead of FLEGT licensing, according to the joint body that oversees implementation of the agreement.

Fern cautiously welcomes the EU and Vietnam Voluntary Partnership Agreement

On 18 November, a significant milestone was reached in the fight to protect Vietnam’s forests. The EU and Vietnam agreed ‘in principle’ on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), establishing a legal framework promoting legal logging, ensuring that the nation’s forests are managed in line with social and environmental laws and that timber products from Vietnam are verifiably legal.