Making ‘zero-deforestation’ commodity production and trade a reality

The major threat to tropical forests today comes not from loggers but from large-scale forest clearance to meet rising demand for agricultural commodities. Recognising this, governments and businesses around the world are increasingly pledging to eradicate deforestation from supply chains of such commodities.

How can Europe help stop the deadly trade in conflict timber?

Twenty-two years ago Global Witness cut its teeth exposing the trade in conflict timber in war-torn Cambodia. Posing as European timber buyers, my colleagues and I exposed how the genocidal Khmer Rouge was selling wood to logging companies just across the border in Thailand.

EC conference on deforestation and illegal logging – follow live online

On 21-23 June, the European Commission welcomes in Brussels stakeholders from around the world to discuss the way forward on tropical deforestation and illegal logging. The Illegal Logging and Deforestation conference will take stock of progress and explore opportunities for impactful future action.

Briefing: Developments relevant to the implementation and enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation, April 2017 to June 2017

Briefing note compiled by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States Competent Authorities.

Myanmar commits to address gaps in timber legality assurance system for improved forest governance

The Government of Myanmar has committed to improving the country’s timber legality assurance system following the release of a report that analysed the “gaps” in the system in the context of internationally recognised principles, requirements and best practices.

EU Forest Watch Special considers the future of FLEGT

LoggingOff and Fern released a special that considers the future of FLEGT.

EU and Congo assess progress towards timber legality verification and other VPA goals

The Republic of the Congo and the European Union held the sixth meeting of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in Brazzaville on 17 and 22 May 2017.

FLEGT roadmap launched in the Philippines

Forest stakeholders in the Philippines have agreed on a ‘FLEGT roadmap’ to improve forest law enforcement, governance and trade through 2020. The plans were finalised at the first meeting of the Technical Working Group on Wood, whose members are from the government, civil society and the private sector.

Cameroon punishes illegal loggers and administration staff exposed by independent forest monitors

Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) has raided companies, issued fines, suspended logging authorisations and opened court cases in response to recent reports by independent forest monitors there.

EU and Vietnam conclude VPA negotiations

On 11 May 2017, the EU and Vietnam formally concluded their negotiations towards a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), by initialling the document.