Forests
Forests are home to as much as 90% of the world’s land-based animal and plant life. They directly provide food, shelter, fuel and a source of income to the 1.6 billion people whose livelihoods depend on them. And forests also benefit our environment by regulating the climate and water cycles and preventing soil erosion.
But our forests are in crisis. The world has lost half its forests, and only a tenth of what remains is protected. Each year, we lose another 130,000km2 - an area the size of England.
We’re working around the world to protect forests against the many threats they face - from illegal logging to climate change - and to secure their long-term future.
We work in a variety of ways. There’s hands-on involvement on the ground in lots of the forests we help protect (listed below), but we’re also very active behind the scenes, lobbying and negotiating with governments to improve legislation and planning, as well as persuading large and small businesses to adopt a sustainable approach to using forest resources.
Forests where we work
Amazon
The world's biggest tropical rainforest - we've been working here to limit deforestation for more than 40 years.
Borneo
Third largest island on Earth, Borneo has lost half its forests - but is still uncovering amazing new species.
New Guinea
Largest pristine rainforest in Asia-Pacific, third largest in the world - with a staggering number of unique species.
All our forest projects...
Including the Amur-Heilong forest, the Atlantic forests of Brazil and Paraguay, Colombia and the Eastern Himalayas.
Key forest issues we're working on
- Sustainable use of forests - working with forest managers and related industries across the world, and helping to change the buying habits of wood and paper users
- Forest conversion for agriculture - we're helping make sure the growing global demand for commodities like palm oil and soya doesn't ruin forests and species
- Deforestation and climate change - our aim is to help make forest conservation more economically viable, which is essential if we're to control globe-warming carbon emissions
Latest on Brazil's Forest Law...
Brazil Forest Code: clock is ticking for President Dilma
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has until 25 May to decide whether to veto changes to Brazil’s Forest Code that will reduce protections against deforestation in the Amazon and other areas and offer wide-ranging amnesties for illegal deforestation. Stay tuned for some huge international action you can get involved in - details very soon...
Brazil passes Forest Code reforms - grim news for the Amazon
Brazil’s Congress last night passed legislation that will strip the Amazon and other important regions of critical environmental protections. The future of Brazil’s forests now lies in the hands of President Dilma Rousseff who has 15 days to approve or veto changes to the country’s long-standing forest law. In the coming two weeks, we’ll be putting pressure on the President to keep her election promises and oppose more deforestation. Please stand by to take action for Brazil's forests.
#SOSBrazil: help block a disastrous vote on forest law
Update: After a day of hectic activity at Brazil's parliament yesterday, the final vote on changes to the forest law has been postponed until next Tuesday, 13 March. But the threat to the rainforest isn’t over yet! Please keep up the protest on twitter and facebook.
Take action
Other useful links
Latest forest reports
Profitability and Sustainability in Palm Oil Production
4 April 2012
Analysis of Incremental Financial Costs and Benefits of RSPO Compliance
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Barking up the right tree?
30 March 2012
A study of local authorities' timber procurement policies.
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