Monitoring illegal logging in Cameroon

Illegal and destructive logging in Cameroon is fuelling deforestation, increasing poverty and has severe environmental impacts. Only recently, the EU committed itself to stop deforestation in tropical countries by 2020 in order to halt climate change. Bad governance and the lack of implementation of forest laws are frustrating the development of more sustainable forest management practices. Benefits from forests through taxes hardly lead to poverty reduction, due to corruption at regional and communal government level. Illegal and destructive logging is fueled by demand from consuming countries like France and The Netherlands. This project seeks to continue to influence policies and practices within the public and private sector to ensure continuity in the improvement of forest governance in Cameroon. To attain this goal we want to monitor malpractice in forest concessions, analyze structural deficiencies in the Cameroonian forest law and its implementation, investigate trade links to trace timber to the consuming countries and develop campaigns to pressure companies and governments. This is a joint project of Friends of the Earth Cameroon, France and The Netherlands in order to have effective campaigns leading to optimal pressure on both companies and governments in producing and consuming countries. The project seeks to contribute to the Millennium Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development