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Legal frameworks and enforcement

Unclear legal frameworks governing land allocation, land use and forest conversion — and a lack of implementation of and compliance with these frameworks — are key underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries.

Legal frameworks and enforcement

Unclear legal frameworks governing land allocation, land use and forest conversion — and a lack of implementation of and compliance with these frameworks — are key underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries.

These factors contribute to illegal land allocation and forest conversion, including for the expansion of commercial agriculture.

Addressing these issues requires understanding of gaps and weaknesses of legal frameworks governing land allocation, land use and forest conversion. Independent monitoring of the implementation of relevant legal frameworks by non-state actors is fundamental to spurring governance reforms. Providing legal compliance incentives for forest and agriculture sector actors also supports deforestation-free commodity production and related trade, and promotes better land-use governance.

The work of the EU REDD Facility provides lessons and experiences in clarifying legal frameworks and incentives for compliance at subnational and national levels.

Actions

Aerial view of mangrove forests.

Assessing Indonesia’s legal and policy framework on forest conversion and restoration

The EU REDD Facility and Sebijak Institute analysed Indonesia’s legal and policy framework on forest governance, with a focus on forest conversion and restoration. They assessed the extent to which policies and regulations help reduce deforestation, accelerate restoration, and empower indigenous peoples and local communities.

Vietnam local-level integrated monitoring tool: monitoring timber legality, deforestation and ecosystem services

The EU REDD Facility and Fauna & Flora International collaboratively developed a pilot, local-level forest monitoring platform that integrates the requirements of three initiatives that aim to protect and sustainably manage forests. These are: 1) the initiative to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of carbon stocks in developing countries, 2) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade and 3) Payment for Forest Environmental Services.
Manuel Boissière, CIRAD and CIFOR

Integrating customary forests in Indonesia’s legality assurance system

The EU REDD Facility is conducting in collaboration with the Indonesian Civil Society Organisation KARSA a study to assess options for legal and sustainable production and trade of timber from customary forests. The focus will be on integration of customary forests into Indonesia’s timber legality assurance system (SVLK). The study will inform subnational multi-stakeholder dialogues and national-level policy process on customary forests and legal timber production.

About the EU REDD Facility

The EU REDD Facility supports countries in improving land-use governance as part of their efforts to slow, halt and reverse deforestation. It also supports the overall EU effort to reduce its contribution to deforestation in developing countries. The Facility focuses on countries that are engaged in REDD+, an international mechanism that incentivises developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their forest and land-use sectors. The Facility is hosted by the European Forest Institute and was established in 2010.

Disclaimer

This website has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and the Governments Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. The contents of this site are the sole responsibility of the European Forest Institute’s EU REDD Facility and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of funding organisations.