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.
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Forest certification and risk management: FSC certification poses risk to business
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme poses significant risks to businesses that choose to adopt it. A study by ITS Global found that the FSC has allowed itself to serve the agenda of environmental NGOs, including that of its key founder – the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Findings from the study show that while both the FSC and the other leading certification system – the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) - are comparable ...
REDD+ PNG based on exaggerated rate of deforestation
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released its biennial report, State of the World’s Forest 2011, which again brought into question the justification for PNG’s REDD+ program. The report concluded that globally, the overall rate of deforestation is declining, due in great part to a transition from deforestation to afforestation in the Asia Pacific region – where forest area has increased by 1.4 million hectares annually over the last decade. The FAO presented ...
Moratorium on forest conversion in PNG?
What appear to be official PNG Government documents produced for the Cancun Climate Negotiations and calling for a moratorium on forest conversion, have surfaced online. The plans pose serious threats to agricultural expansion and economic development in PNG. The documents detail PNG’s attempt to plan and implement REDD-readiness activities for the period 2011 – 2015. Aided by consultants McKinsey & Co., the government plan states that low carbon growth is compatible with a GDP growth of ...
The REDD Agreement
The Cancun Agreements contain no binding commitments to curb deforestation or any other similar actions. They did however agree on some issues related to the REDD program. Most notably, a REDD concept was agreed upon – one that included Sustainable Forest Management as an equal form of mitigation alongside avoided deforestation, afforestation and reforestation. Any mention of the use of carbon markets in the program was removed from the text, while mild safeguards were proposed for Indigenous communities ...
New Research Changes the Game
Cancun did produce some important developments in negotiations on forestry. One in particular is set to disrupt the foundations upon which the entire REDD philosophy, and NGO campaigning, is presupposed. A climate change orthodoxy – that deforestation is a major cause of emissions by developing countries – has been disproved. Lord Stern, the British government climate scientist, was largely responsible for establishing as mainstream thinking the proposition that deforestation in countries such as Indonesia, Brazil and Congo ...Greenpeace in the Red?
Australian newspapers have reported that Greenpeace Australia Pacific is in a major financial hole. Other legal and management woes are also confronting the group.
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Durban on the Rocks
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.
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Deforestation Levels Revised Down Again
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.
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Greenpeace campaign fails following grass roots pushback
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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Studies identify biodiversity in selectively logged forests
A new study on biodiversity conservation by scientists from the National University of Singapore and the University of California states that selectively logged forests have considerable conservation value and should be included in effective strategies to protect biodiversity. The study supports recent findings that selectively logged forests maintain significant levels of biodiversity.
UNEP report reveals further REDD+ shortcomings
The United Nations Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and a coalition of more than two hundred financial institutions launched a new report on the eve of the Durban Climate Change meeting which reveals the REDD+ program requires private sector engagement and funding if it is to achieve its stated aims.
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PNG strengthens links with Asia Pacific neighbours
The O’Neill Government has sought to strengthen ties with partners in the Asia Pacific by marking key events in its relations with both the US and Australian governments.
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Online tool helps map the costs of land use change
Researchers from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the World Agro forestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) have collaborated to develop an interactive online mapping tool known as Mapaz, which is set to play a key role in global forest policy development going forward.
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Whatever it takes: Greenpeace's anti-forestry campaign in Papua New Guinea
Masalai i Tokaut and Rimbunan Hijau Watch: A political and deceptive campaign against Rimbunan Hijau
The Economic Contribution of Rimbunan Hijau's Forestry Operations in Papua New Guinea
The Economic Importance of the Forestry Industry to Papua New Guinea