Publications & Insight

Blogs

In 2021 the EU’s policy choices will shape the fate of the world’s forests

Last year changed everything, and nothing. 

Almost overnight our lives were upended: businesses and economies ground to a halt, movement was constrained, and physical contact with others curbed. Yet our greatest challenge – the...

05/01/2021

Beyond commitments: How can Nationally Determined Contributions contribute to forest governance and resilient local communities?

In 2018, Fern and our partners revealed that many African states’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) pledges were not considering the need to improve forest governance. As countries are now preparing and communicating new...

22/12/2020

NGO Statements

The conservation model needs to change – Fern’s response to WWF’s review of human rights abuses

Efforts to protect and restore forests must recognise community rights to land. 

In early 2019, the environmental movement was rocked by reports that WWF financed and provided technical support to conservation projects that had...

21/12/2020

Blogs

Estonian forest politics in 2020: conflict intensifies

Almost a year ago, avid readers of Fern’s guest blogs learned that Estonian environmental NGOs were under pressure for challenging those spearheading the destruction of some of our country’s most precious habitats. 

The NGOs...

21/12/2020

Forest Watch 261 - December 2020

Consumers ask Commission for binding rules to stop forest destruction

16/12/2020

Blogs, Forest Watch

Dual climate and biodiversity crises threaten people and the planet, but we have the tools to solve them!

The unfolding COVID crisis has laid bare our social, disaster-preparedness, economic and governance vulnerabilities. But 2020 is a plentiful year for crises: in addition to the pandemic, our consumption and unsustainable economic...

16/12/2020

News, Events, Forest Watch

Webinar Roundup: Another chance to attend online conferences

Livelihoods, Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Africa: Unleashing the potential of Community-based forest and wildlife management for building back better. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) collaborated with...

16/12/2020

News, Events, Forest Watch

Cocoa Barometer 2020 demands system change to end cocoa poverty

After two decades of failed interventions across the cocoa sector, cocoa-farming communities are still battling the effects of poverty, child labour and deforestation. The 2020 Cocoa Barometer report launched 1 December 2020 is a...

16/12/2020

News, Forest Watch

Cleaning up the EU’s own backyard

It’s a tough time for EU forests. The EU engages in valuable initiatives to protect forests elsewhere but, as its own forests are in a downward spiral, keeps missing opportunities to protect its own. 

After last month’s close-up...

16/12/2020

News, Forest Watch

EU’s 2030 Climate target: watered down with ‘net’ reductions

When the European Council met to discuss stricter 2030 climate targets on 12 December 2020, they have heard NGOs and industry arguments about whether to bundle efforts to increase natural carbon removals from forests and...

16/12/2020