Throughout its period of high economic growth, Japan has been the largest consumer of timber in the international market. The impact of Japanese demand on the world's ancient forests has been enormous. As the evidence in this report shows, even...

The world's original forests are in an alarming situation. Of the original forest cover half is gone and only 20 percent remain as large tracts of ancient forest – i.e. intact and fully functioning areas of primary/ natural/ old growth forest...

This case study describes the process of how an area of almost 1.6 million hectares of temperate ancient forest in the West Coast of Canada has been saved from clearcutting and destruction.

Protecting ancient forests is crucial to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, preserve global biodiversity, and protect the livelihoods of millions of forest peoples.

The market for legality verification of wood products has grown. Numerous systems and services have been developed to check, license or certify timber as legal. The need to assess and monitor the credibility of these schemes is critical and...

Comprehensively protecting marine life on the high seas for now and for the future: The case for a new UNCLOS Implementing Agreement to protect biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction

The legal system governing marine areas beyond national jurisdiction has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of human activities and impacts. The oceans beyond national jurisdiction lack adequate institutions, rules and enforcement mechanisms...

FEBRUARY 2006 - Opening Statement to the UN General Assembly Ad-Hoc Open Ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction

A staggering 80% of the world’s ancient forests have already been destroyed or degraded and much of what remains is under threat from illegal and destructive logging. The member states of the European Union (EU ) play a key role in fuelling the...