International forestry policy

The international policy context for forestry is changing rapidly, and in the past five years the role of forests in climate change has climbed right up the global policy agenda. The fact that 20% of all global emissions are estimated to come from deforestation is a big issue for the planet, and the protection of forests is going to have to be a key part of climate change policy.

As a substantial net importer of forest products, the UK has an important role to play in promoting the conservation and sustainable management of forests throughout the world. Our own economic development was fuelled by the exploitation of our forests and we know the pressures are many.

In the UK, the government’s involvement in international forestry developments is led by the Forestry Commission and the Department for International Development (DFID) and is conducted through the International Forestry Group.

The main debates on forestry are held in the United Nations Forum on Forests, the European Union, the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, the ‘G8’ and meetings of the signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Forestry Commission plays a positive and active role in all of these international bodies.

The Forestry Commission’s International Policy Team develops and represents the UK’s international forest policy in Europe and globally.

Key Areas of work:

• Representing the UK in international and European negotiations.
• Advising on the implementation of international and European obligations and processes.
• Briefing other government departments on forest policy in the UK for negotiations in key European and global fora.
• Providing advice to Forestry Commission National Offices, on international issues that will impact on domestic forest policy and strategies.
• Providing the Secretariat of the Standing Committee on Commonwealth Forestry.