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At COP6, the Global Forest Coalition (GFC) and Fern launched a new global report, Status of Implementation of Forest-Related Clauses in the CBD, which assesses how far 21 selected countries have succeeded in meeting their commitments to key forest-related CBD articles and decisions. Of the countries studied, 14 are in the South, two are countries with Economies in Transition, and five are from the North. Together the forests in these countries comprise over half of the Earth’s forested area.

The findings
The GFC/Fern report is based on the input of 21 country monitors who distributed questionnaires to relevant governments officials with resulting answers reviewed by civil society organisations. The report shows that the main impact of the CBD’s ratification has been the development of National Biodiversity and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The implementation of other forest-related commitments has been sporadic however. Beyond the lack of awareness at all levels of the full spectrum of the CBD requirements, the main findings of the study centre on poor strategic guidance by the CBD to the Parties, limited sectoral integration, insufficiency of existing of protected area networks to sustain biodiversity, and inappropriate participation of civil society within the CBD processes at international and national levels.

The recommendations
The report makes several recommendations, for example: the adoption by COP6 of a strategic plan that focuses on the integration of biodiversity into other sectors, including the forestry sector, the provision of adequate resources for countries to develop and implement NBSAPs ensuring participation of all relevant parties, especially indigenous peoples and local communities, and the principle of prior free and informed consent for all actions taken under the CBD

Echoes from the side-event
At the side event organised for the launch of the report, the idea of independent monitoring and reporting was well received. Several participants noted the need for more challenging questions particularly questions that point at the impacts some countries have on other countries through foreign operations of national companies and high levels of consumption. Some also pointed the need to confront governments with questions revolving around the current system of economic development and globalisation and the disconnect that exists between environment and economy.