Publications & Insight

FAQs

How can the European Union ensure that its trade doesn't cause more deforestation?

European Union (EU) trade and investment policies is an important factor in driving deforestation, notably through its demand for commodities, including for livestock and dairy production.

06/08/2019

FAQs

Does trade cause deforestation?

Yes, there is a vast body of evidence confirming direct and indirect links between trade and deforestation, as well as other forms of environmental destruction.

06/08/2019

Press Releases

Pressure mounts on President-elect as EU Commission opens door to regulating supply chains to tackle deforestation

The EU has opened the door to regulating supply chains to minimise the risk of deforestation associated with commodity imports to the EU. Fern welcomes this long-awaited move with cautious optimism and looks forward to working...

23/07/2019

Forest governance, Blogs

Draft Decree of Vietnam’s timber legality system lacks teeth says the Vietnamese NGO FLEGT network

Vietnam’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) is designed to end the illegal timber trade by tackling its root causes. At its heart is a commitment to adopt a robust timber legality assurance system,...

11/07/2019

Forest Watch

Forest Watch 247 - July 2019

Mercosur trade deal heightens risks to forests and human rights - and the EU fails to respond to climate emergency at the last European Council

10/07/2019

Forest governance, Reports

Deepening and expanding multi-stakeholder participation in VPAs to achieve greater impact

VPA update, June 2019

One of the unique features of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) – which form a key part of the EU’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan – is that they allow a variety of actors (government, private sector, civil society and forest communities) to discuss how forests should be managed.

10/07/2019

Forest governance, Blogs

A green treasure in danger: Who is at fault?

The Republic of Congo, in Central Africa, is home to part of the world's second largest rainforest. The country is often considered a ‘laboratory’ because of the number of initiatives it implements to sustainably manage its...

10/07/2019

News

Finland to pursue EU human rights due diligence regulation

The Finnish Presidency of the European Council could be a chance to clean up EU supply chains.

09/07/2019

News

Mercosur trade deal heightens risks to forests and human rights

The Commission has prioritised trade and profit; it is now up to the European and national parliaments to set a more positive course for human rights and forests.

09/07/2019

News

European Council and Member States fail to respond to climate emergency

As European temperatures soared, the European Council and Member States avoided concrete action on the climate emergency. We demand better.

09/07/2019