The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has promulgated an action plan with the aim of promoting cooperation, sharing and monitoring trans-boundary water resources from now to 2020. The plan also looks to improving the management, conservation, and utilisation of water resources to serve the country’s sustainable socio-economic development and ensure water security amid climate change. The MoNRE has been building
26 January 2017 / Michael Tatarski With Southeast Asian forests rapidly running out of rare, high-value timber, traditional Vietnamese furniture companies are under pressure to clean up their act in order to export to markets like the EU. In the small furniture production town of Đồng Ky, many items are carved from species of rosewood and other rare hardwood species now under increased CITES protection, about 70 percent of which
29 January 2017 / Nathan Siegel A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2015 between the two countries is leading to tighter, more streamlined regulations. The MOU is intended to stem the illegal timber trade in East Africa, which is fuelling deforestation in the region. Several projects included in the MOU, such as increased border patrols and crackdowns on illegal timber transport, are already underway. Other initiatives, including
30 January 2017 / John C. Cannon A new study examining the changes in forest cover along national borders finds that as incomes increase, so does deforestation. The research pulled together economic data from 130 countries and every border on earth. For the first time, economic data proves that, in poorer countries, per capita income gains often come at the cost of forest cover. The researchers also expected that reforestation would occur
31 January 2017 / Mongabay Norway is marshalling $400 million to help cut deforestation rates and bolster sustainable small-scale farming. Norway contributed $100 million, and other donors are expected to contribute the balance of the $400-million commitment by 2020. The World Economic Forum figures that the financing will help protect 5 million hectares of peatland and forest. Small-scale farmers should receive support through the
31 January 2017 / Mike Gaworecki Transforming the global supply chains for beef, palm oil, soy, and pulp and paper so that they are truly sustainable is a $200-billion-a-year investment opportunity, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA 2020). Agricultural commodities — especially beef, palm oil, soy, and pulp and paper — have become an increasingly important driver of deforestation
January 9, 2017 by Jennifer Chu Researchers report that warming from short-lived compounds — greenhouse
