Improving Forest Governance and Tackling Illegal Logging and Deforestation

Forests make a vital contribution to tackling climate change and supporting sustainable development. However they are under threat from illegal logging and deforestation.

In response to this, a range of initiatives and policies have emerged aimed at improving governance of the forest sector and tackling corruption and inequity. Many of these have targeted illegal logging which results from weak governance and also undermines efforts to reform the sector.

The project

Chatham House has been working on forest governance, illegal logging and deforestation since 2000, undertaking in-depth research and analysis and bringing together experts and stakeholders at meetings and conferences. We also host the Illegal Logging Portal a website with the latest news, research and events related to these issues.

The aim of our work is to identify policy options that will enable the forestry sector to play a positive role in achieving sustainable development. In particular, it aims to establish:

More effective implementation of existing measures to tackle the illegal timber trade;
Robust policy responses by new and emerging consumers of the illegal timber trade;
Stronger global policy responses to reduce the drivers for illegal forest conversion.

Our work

Much of our work focuses on efforts to tackle the international trade in illegal timber. This includes the Forest Governance and Legality project which investigates the nature and extent of illegal logging and the associated trade in illegal timber, as well as the effectiveness of the response to this issue by both the government and the private sector.

Additionally, our research examines the policy nexus between illegal logging, deforestation, sustainable development and green growth. This is in response to growing pressure from other land-use sectors on forests, and it includes exploring those policy measures aimed at reducing deforestation associated with agriculture and mining.

We are also working on improving understanding of the environmental impacts of the international trade in natural resources particularly the effect on forests. This includes the development of Chatham House’s Resource Trade Database which enables assessments of the environmental impacts of the production and trade of natural resources.

Chatham House is monitoring forest governance and legality in 19 countries to assess the effectiveness of government and private sector efforts to tackle illegal logging and trade.

Project content

From the international through to the local level, inclusive approaches are needed to ensure effective governance of forests and promote the sustainable use of land.

This paper examines the collection and disbursement of forest sector revenues in three African countries following efforts to improve transparency and accountability.

It’s been 10 years since the International Day of Forests was first celebrated in 2012 but, with forest loss continuing apace, more must be done to empower local communities.

New UK legislation reignites wider concerns about the ability of developed countries to solve the problem of climate change without punishing the poor.

Outlining the important role public procurement can play in development, helping to create more equal and sustainable societies.

The paper proposes a definition of sustainable procurement so goods, services, works and utilities achieve value for money on a life-cycle basis.

Over the past 20 years, initiatives to strengthen governance in the forest sector have improved transparency and participation in tropical forest countries.

Finding equitable solutions to balancing the myriad demands on forests requires meaningful engagement with local actors, writes Alison Hoare.

More ambitious policies to reduce deforestation are key to effective climate policy, but to succeed, they require three big changes in approach.

Gitika Bhardwaj speaks to campaigner, Obed Owusu-Addai, about why solving the problem of deforestation across Africa requires tackling one of its biggest causes.

Despite ambitious government action to tackle illegal logging, progress at the global level has stalled as efforts to address the problem have been eclipsed by major changes in the forest sector.

Past events

Maintaining political momentum behind the COP26 commitments on forests.

Exploring the role of forest governance in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

This roundtable considers the proposed Due Diligence regulations for companies dealing in Forest Risk Commodities (FRC) which would prohibit the import of products grown on illegally converted forestland into the UK.

Improving Forest Governance and Tackling Illegal Logging and Deforestation

The project

Our work

Featured content

Project content

Past events