2024 Annual Report
26 Juni 2025
2024 was defined by the rousing defence of essential policies protecting forests and peoples’ rights.
Concerted attempts to sabotage the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the first law of its kind in the world, which had already been passed with a large democratic mandate, were thwarted by a constructive and inclusive global campaign. This Annual Report charts our response to these challenges. We relied, as always, on strong, inclusive coalitions, hard evidence and bringing our partners’ authentic experiences right to the heart of power.
Our partners remain fundamental to our way of working. This is underlined in our interviews with Malin Sahlin, from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and Phons Louis Ntoumbou, from the Forum for Governance and Human Rights in the Republic of Congo.
As well as articles on how our staff navigate their daily work and what drives them – this year featuring Kelsey Perlman, Tyala Ifwanga and Anna Muižniece - the Report also documents the devastating human and environmental cost that Europe’s desperate move to secure critical raw materials for the green energy and digital transitions is having on nature and Indigenous Peoples.
This Annual Report also marks Fern’s 30th anniversary.
As part of our reflections, Fred Pearce, the renowned science writer and Fern Board member, has written a landmark essay, in which he describes how the past three decades have seen forest dwellers move from being widely viewed as driving tropical deforestation - including by leading environmental organisations - to now being recognised as holding the solution to it.
Our co-founder Saskia Ozinga contemplates the lessons of the past 30 years, and where she believes positive change can come from in the future.
Fern’s challenge is to find smart ways to be heard in a difficult context, ensuring that the voices of forest peoples are communicated in ways that policymakers hear – while never wilting in the face of injustice.
Category: Annual Reports
Fern 2024 Annual Report (2,77 MB)