Publications

Reports

Creating a forest and rights observatory: a Brazilian case study

The European Union and Member States have taken a pioneering role in adopting Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) laws, such as the June 2023 adoption of the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The...

15/03/2024

Reports

EU 2040 climate target - what does it mean for forests?

In February 2024, the European Commission issued its 2040 climate target Communication, which proposes to reduce net greenhouse gases (GHG) by 90 per cent compared to 1990 levels.

Several elements of the Communication will have...

22/02/2024

NGO Statements

How could European forests best benefit from the EU Forest Monitoring Law?

For decades, intensive forestry practices have meant that healthy biodiverse forests across the European Union (EU) have been replaced with trees that resemble crops. Intensive forest management not only degrades ecosystems, but...

05/02/2024

Reports

Assessment of the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative

Looking back on the journey and to the road ahead

This report sheds light on the achievements and challenges in the implementation of the European Union Sustainable Cocoa Initiative, which aims to deliver on European Green Deal...

31/01/2024

Reports

How to achieve zero deforestation in the cattle sector

Best practices in Brazil and the new EU regulation on deforestation-free products

18/12/2023

Briefing Notes

At the crossroads? A brief analysis of the European wood pellets market in 2022 and 2023

The European wood pellets market has been the world's largest for more than 15 years, driven by EU renewable energy policies authorising EU Member States to subsidise energy companies burning wood and the purchase of wood pellets...

27/11/2023

Briefing Notes

What impact will the EUDR have on VPAs and FLEGT Licensing?

This year the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has entered into implementation. One of the commodities included within the legislation is timber.  

As mentioned within the EUDR, this legislation should build upon the positive...

21/11/2023

Briefing Notes, NGO Statements

A Partnership of Equals?

How to strengthen the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Strategic Partnerships

14/11/2023

Briefing Notes

Wiser with wood

New Fern/ClientEarth briefing: A guide on how to transpose the EU’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) to better protect forests, the climate, public health and other wood-using industries

09/11/2023

Reports

How to tackle labour rights in the EU-Vietnam wood furniture trade

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading wood processing hubs and the European Union is a high value, strategic market for its wood and wooden furniture. Around 600,000 people are employed in wood processing and furniture manufacturing in Vietnam. Little has been said about labour rights in Vietnam’s wood sector.  This report aims to rectify this.  It is based on in-depth interviews with a sample of 40 workers from various sections of different wood processing and furniture manufacturing companies supplying to the EU. 

07/11/2023