Summary
• The updates are hosted by the Institute of International Affairs.
• Indonesia remains an illegal logging trouble spot.
• Laos is working hard to stamp out illegal logging.
• Forest cover has increased in Vietnam.

Over the past decade the issue of illegal logging has brought together previously disparate and occasionally opposing groups; government, NGOs and timber trade organisations are now working together globally to tackle this complex issue.

A key question that arose at the latest Institute of International Affairs’ (IIA) illegal logging update at Chatham House, London, was what this coalition has achieved.

And a mass of data was produced to demonstrate that much progress has been made. It was estimated that in the last 10 years, measures worldwide have prevented 160 million m³ of wood from being illegally logged. That adds up to 8 million ha of forest saved, reducing CO2 emissions by 1.6 billion tonnes.

The UK, the meeting heard, can take a certain pride in its role in the battle. The British government sponsors the IIA updates and has been at the forefront in developing Voluntary Partner-ship Agreements (VPA) with tropical timber countries under the EU’s Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative. These ensure their access to European markets provided they take steps to ensure their forestry and timber industries are operating legally.

The UK government has also led from the front in its own timber procurement policy, with its Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET), which adjudges which certification schemes provide true assurance of legality and sustainability, regarded as the model by other countries.

Added to this, the UK timber trade has also succeeded, through a range of actions, including the Timber Trade Action Plan (TTAP), to ensure that it plays its part in not only ensuring it doesn’t handle illegal wood, but helps supplier countries improve their environmental performance too.

Challenges ahead

The Chatham House event wasn’t all congratulatory back slapping, however. Speakers also acknowledged the illegal logging challenges that remain.

Among them Tim Yeo, chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee and former environment minister, detailed the level of poor forestry governance that still exists around the world. He also raised the spectre of organised crime muscling into the growing timber and forestry carbon credits trade.

The meeting also heard that deforestation and illegal logging are still out of control in Indonesia, with money laundering, corruption and theft among the obstacles still blocking significant environmental progress.

A view put forward was that major companies need to be present in Indonesia to invest in proper practices. And on the positive side APRIL, a large pulp and paper company which has had many brushes with green groups, gave a strong presentation acknowledging past environmental policy failures but stressing that it is now taking robust remedial action. Its presence at the meeting, it maintained, demonstrated acceptance of its obligations to stamp out illegal logging.

Laos and Vietnam

After their recent turbulent history, Laos and Vietnam might also be seen as difficult cases. But again, while acknowledging the progress still needed, speakers who are actively involved in those countries detailed well-thought-out policies and plans to improve forestry operations, despite financial constraints.

Illegal logging remains a problem in Laos’ 11 million ha of forest. But with World Bank and Finnish assistance its government has created a department to tackle the issue with 360 staff.

In Vietnam there is almost no certified forest, but the country has a large timber manufacturing base and many foreign companies are investing in it. Due to deforestation, Vietnam has to import over 80% of its wood needs. However, while its forest cover slumped from 14 million ha in 1943 to under 10 million ha by 1992, it has now recovered to 12.6 million. The government is also cracking down further on forest crime, improving border controls and aiming for 30% certified forests by 2025.

Delegates were also told that EU VPA discussions in Africa and Malaysia are progressing, but that there is still a shortage of available timber licensed under the FLEGT system. Only Ghana and Congo have VPAs in place and no more are expected until the end of 2010.

Tough measures

Presentations on the US’s stringent Lacey Act showed that the country clearly means business in preventing illegal wood entering its supply chain. The act provides for swingeing fines and even jail sentences for anyone convicted of handling illegal material. And, while some powerful trade organisations have lobbied for exemptions, the courts have shown themselves more than willing to use the legislation and prosecutions have already taken place.

Some countries are also looking for exemptions from the EU’s own answer to the Lacey Act, proposed legislation which would impose an obligation on timber importers to exercise due diligence to ensure they don’t handle illegal wood.

But the fact that the EU legislation is being attempted proves what the Chatham House team has been saying: that, while the illegal logging war still rages, “our message is getting through, it’s climbing up the agenda and making a difference across the world”.