The proposed Australian illegal logging bill has drawn heavy criticism from the private sector and governments alike. Public submissions as part of the Senate Committees consultation have indicated not only serious flaws in the Bill’s drafting, but also international opposition.
PNG’s commission of inquiry into the special agricultural business leases (SABLs) has continued, examining the lease process around PNG.
A large number of accusations have been made against private corporations holding the leases, as well as the process under which leases have been granted.
Greenpeace has welcomed the apparent departure of global consulting firm McKinsey from PNG’s climate change department. McKinsey had been criticised heavily in numerous Greenpeace-published reports for its work on REDD mechanisms for forests in developing countries.
Swiss-based forester Danzer has come under attack for its operations in the Congo through its FSC certification.
The company has been accused of involvement in human rights abuses since early 2011. However, the ongoing allegations by both Greenpeace and Global Witness have culminated in an application to have the company stripped of its FSC certification.
A re-drafted version of an illegal logging bill has been introduced into Australia’s House of Representatives. Even with some re-tooling, the Bill seems as problematic as earlier versions.
Australian newspapers have reported that Greenpeace Australia Pacific is in a major financial hole. Other legal and management woes are also confronting the group.
The most recent United Nations climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, was yet another failure dressed up as success. The meet confirmed the Kyoto Protocol is now a dead letter by proposing a nine year timetable to make a new agreement. There is also no agreement to adopt global measures to restrict commercial forestry activities to reduce emissions.
The estimates for global deforestation have been revised down once again. A new, comprehensive and global satellite survey by the FAO indicates that total forest loss over the past 15 years is 32 per cent lower than previously thought.
The Greenpeace vessel Esperanza quietly slipped out of PNG waters last week after the ignominy of stoning and protest by hundreds of PNG landowners.
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The Economic Contribution of Rimbunan Hijau's Forestry Operations in Papua New Guinea
The Economic Importance of the Forestry Industry to Papua New Guinea