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The paper analyzes 20 years of independent forest monitoring (IFM) in the Congo Basin, noting that while IFM has led to the withdrawal of illegal forest titles and improved governance, its activity levels have declined since its early years. It suggests that the IFM model should be expanded to agricultural commodities and REDD+ projects, supported by institutionalized policy reform and long-term funding.

The briefing addresses the challenge of illegal logging in Indonesia, noting that deforestation rates rose from 0.2 million hectares in 2000/2001 to 1.2 million hectares in 2004/2005. It highlights a significant information gap, where data on forest cover, concession boundaries, and timber sources are scattered or outdated. To combat this, the World Resources Institute introduces a matrix designed to guide stakeholders in using existing data to monitor the physical status of forests, the logging sector, and the milling sector, building on a 2006 gap analysis conducted under the East Asia and Pacific Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (EAP-FLEG) initiative.

The paper examines the data needs for monitoring national forest emission reduction strategies, arguing that tracking metrics beyond just emissions reductions is necessary for effective policy design, securing finance, and domestic decision-making. Using illegal logging in Peru and Indonesia as a focal point, it explores the differences between domestic and international measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) requirements.

The Spatial Database of Planted Trees (SDPT) version 2.0 provides a global spatial differentiation between planted forests, tree crops, and natural forests. In 2020, the database identified approximately 264 million hectares of planted forests (6.5% of total tree cover) and 65 million hectares of tree crops. The update includes new carbon removal factors ranging from 0.43 to 15 t C/ha/yr for planted forests and 0.43 to 11 t C/ha/yr for tree crops, and incorporates additional data for Brazil, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana in version 2.1.

South Korea successfully increased its forest cover from approximately 3.5 million hectares in the mid-1950s to 6.4 million hectares by 2007, primarily through active restoration. This recovery was driven by strong government leadership, national awareness campaigns, and a series of multi-year Forest Development Plans. While the restoration provided significant ecosystem services valued at over US$92 billion as of 2013, the study notes caveats including a historical reliance on authoritarian labor practices, low species diversity due to a focus on coniferous trees, and a high dependence on imported wood, including illegally sourced timber.

The document critiques the limitations of carbon financing for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), noting that strict quantification requirements create barriers for countries with low historical deforestation, unpredictable drivers, or weak institutions. It proposes 'sustainable development policies and measures' (SDPAMs) as a broader alternative under the Bali Action Plan, allowing for non-greenhouse gas metrics to verify progress in areas like land tenure and firefighting. The report suggests that developed countries provide support for these actions and implement policies to curb the import of illegally sourced timber to address global demand drivers.

The report describes the transition of Global Forest Watch from GFW 1.0, which relied on laborious manual data collection and paper maps in pilot countries, to GFW 2.0, a transformative online platform launched in 2014. Developed through a partnership between the World Resources Institute, Google, and the University of Maryland, GFW 2.0 utilizes satellite data and cloud computing to provide near real-time deforestation alerts. The platform is used by corporations like Nestlé and Unilever to clean supply chains, by indigenous communities to protect ancestral lands, and by civil society to fight illegal logging. Notably, the document highlights that communities in Peru using GFW have reduced deforestation rates by at least 58%.

A joint statement by various environmental and industry organizations calling for the full implementation of the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments to combat illegal logging. The authors argue that while the Act has reduced illegal wood imports by 32%–44%, significant gaps remain, including a declaration requirement that covers only 42% of the value of imported wood products. They recommend a White House mandate to prioritize enforcement, the completion of the plant import declaration phase-in by the end of 2022, and specific funding allocations totaling over $80 million across agencies including USDA APHIS, CBP, and the USFS to enhance technology, staffing, and international cooperation.

The document defines 'endangered species' as those facing a high, very high, or extremely high risk of extinction, specifically those categorized as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. It describes the IUCN Red List as the primary tool for these assessments, noting that over 26,500 of the 96,500 assessed species are threatened. The text highlights specific threats, such as climate change for corals and overfishing for sharks and rays, and mentions the process of 'downlisting' species when conservation efforts succeed, citing the giant panda's 2016 status change.

The TPP partner countries are major global players in the trade of natural resources, accounting for 33% of the global marine catch and 34% of global timber and pulp production. WWF argues that without conservation measures, illegal and unsustainable trade undermines law-abiding businesses, drives corruption, and threatens biodiversity. Specifically, illegal fishing is estimated to cost between $10 billion and $23.5 billion annually, while illegal logging can depress global timber prices by up to 16%. The document recommends that the TPP prohibit trade in resources harvested in violation of national laws, enforce multilateral environmental agreements, and implement disciplines on subsidies that lead to overfishing.

Illegal logging of valuable hardwoods in the Russian Far East has reached crisis proportions, driven by global demand for furniture and flooring. WWF analysis indicates that between 2004 and 2011, the volume of Mongolian oak logged for export to China exceeded authorized levels by 2 to 4 times. The report identifies a criminalized forest management system characterized by low detection rates, legislative loopholes—specifically 'intermediate logging'—and ineffective prosecution. These activities degrade the critical habitats of the endangered Amur tiger and undermine the traditional livelihoods of indigenous people and taiga villagers. To resolve the crisis, the report recommends increased transparency in logging authorizations, international coordination between Russia and China, and the adoption of FSC certification by global importers.

The document examines the nexus between environmental crime and climate change, arguing that illegal activities such as deforestation, marine pollution, and waste trafficking impair the ability of natural ecosystems to sequester carbon and withstand climate impacts. It highlights a gap where climate change is largely absent from criminal justice systems, and environmental crime is missing from the climate agenda. The paper proposes using the concept of 'public harm' and 'aggravating circumstances' to integrate climate impacts into prosecutorial and judicial decision-making. It also warns that climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that may drive new forms of criminality and increase pressure on justice infrastructure.