Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution to tackling global deforestation
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 405
Published 4 January 2024
Recommendations
3
Accepted
Para 23
Commence setting a UK environmental footprint target to reduce global environmental impact and deforestation.
Recommendation
We reiterate the recommendation we made in our September 2021 report on The UK’s footprint on global biodiversity, which reflects that of the Global Resource Initiative Taskforce, that the UK Government should commence the process of setting an environmental footprint …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes its existing Forest Risk Commodities scheme, support for the UK Soy Manifesto, the UK Sustainable Commodities Initiative (UK SCI), and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) as initiatives already in place or coming into force to promote transparency and reduce deforestation impacts. It does not commit to setting a new overarching environmental footprint target.
5
Deferred
Para 25
Continue to fund development of a monitoring, measurement and reporting framework for UK consumption.
Recommendation
To ensure that the UK can measure and track progress, we recommend that the Government should continue to fund the development of a monitoring, measurement and reporting framework for UK consumption.
Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to funding the development of a monitoring, measurement, and reporting framework for UK consumption, instead stating it is not currently considering widening the scope of Government Buying Standards (GBS) and detailing an ongoing consultation to update the GBS for food and catering.
6
Deferred
Para 26
Promote international and domestic data disclosure to improve monitoring of forest risks globally.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government use its influence in all relevant forums to promote international data disclosure (and domestic disclosure of UK customs and industrial data) so as to improve the monitoring of forest risks in the UK and globally.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on existing and reviewed Government Buying Standards for food and catering, including current requirements for palm oil and coffee, and future consideration of forest-risk commodities within these procurement standards, rather than addressing the recommendation to promote broader international and domestic data disclosure.
8
Deferred
Para 28
Develop UK consumption monitoring to incorporate mined products, addressing mining-related deforestation impacts.
Recommendation
We recommend that UK consumption monitoring be developed to incorporate the monitoring of mined products, so as to support the Government’s programmes addressing the impact of mining-related deforestation.
Government Response Summary
The government response outlines general processes for new regulations, including grace periods, reporting requirements, and exemptions for organisations, but does not specifically address the recommendation to develop UK consumption monitoring for mined products.
10
Deferred
Para 39
Mandate Government Buying Standards for all large public sector bodies and annual compliance reporting.
Recommendation
We recommend that each Government Buying Standard be made mandatory for all large public sector bodies, including the NHS, the Armed Forces and HM Prison Service, as it currently is for UK Government departments and their partner organisations. Annual reporting …
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Government Response Summary
The government deflects the recommendation regarding making Government Buying Standards mandatory and requiring annual compliance reporting for public sector bodies, instead detailing its existing and developing supply-side interventions and international funding programmes aimed at sustainable forest risk commodity supply chains.
13
Acknowledged
Require all acquired forest-risk commodities to be certified as sustainably produced under GBS.
Recommendation
We recommend that the GBS require all acquired forest-risk commodities (in addition to palm oil, timber and paper) to be certified as sustainably produced. (Paragraph 41) The UK’s proposed due diligence system under the Environment Act 2021
Government Response Summary
The government will focus statutory reviews on scheme effectiveness and is exploring how to address the role of indigenous peoples in forest preservation within the independent evaluation of the scheme.
15
Acknowledged
Amend UK Timber Regulations to require all imported timber to be sustainably harvested.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government bring forward proposals to amend the UK Timber Regulations so as not only to prevent illegally harvested timber being placed on UK markets but also to require all imported timber to be sustainably harvested. (Paragraph …
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Government Response Summary
The government encourages businesses to use the TNFD’s risk management disclosure recommendations and will consider how best to incorporate the TNFD into UK policy and regulatory architecture.
17
Deferred
Para 77
Publish proposed regulations urgently and clear timetable for affirmative procedure legislation.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government publish its proposed suite of regulations as a matter of urgency. Where regulations are to be subject to the affirmative procedure, Ministers must publish a clear timetable for drafts to be laid, approved by both …
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Government Response Summary
The government agreed with the committee regarding the IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge and detailed existing and new Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs to strengthen IPLC forest tenure rights and capacity, but did not commit to publishing regulations or a timetable for Schedule 17.
19
Deferred
Para 79
Prohibit UK businesses from trading or using commodities linked to UN FAO-defined deforestation, regardless of local legality.
Recommendation
We recommend that, in order to increase the sustainable use of forest-risk commodities, the Government should bring forward amendments to paragraph 2 of Schedule 17 to the Environment Act so as to prohibit UK businesses from trading or using commodities …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated the FLEGT Post Implementation Review (PIR) will be published shortly and shared, with further analysis of lessons learned to be conducted, but did not commit to amending Schedule 17 to prohibit commodities linked to deforestation regardless of local legality.
22
Deferred
Para 82
Include all material UK deforestation footprint commodities in due diligence legislation from the outset.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government’s proposals for due diligence legislation should include from the outset all forest risk commodities associated with a material UK deforestation footprint (soy, palm oil, cocoa, maize, beef and leather, rubber and coffee) rather than taking …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that Impact Assessments for new Free Trade Agreements have included environmental impact estimates and that research has been undertaken on assessing net gain in trade, but did not address the recommendation to include all forest-risk commodities in due diligence legislation from the outset or provide the requested evidential basis.
24
Accepted in Part
Para 84
Ensure due diligence system prevents products illegally produced regarding land use and customary rights.
Recommendation
We recommend that provision be made in the due diligence system—by amendment to primary legislation, if necessary—to ensure that products are not illegally produced in relation to land use and land ownership laws, including customary tenure rights.
Government Response Summary
The government states its due diligence legislation already applies to indigenous peoples' rights where protected by national laws. It commits to supporting producer countries in enforcing and enhancing their legal frameworks for land governance and protection of communities’ land rights through various FCDO programmes.
26
Deferred
Para 85
Address indigenous peoples' land rights support in statutory evaluation of due diligence system.
Recommendation
We recommend that the statutory evaluation of the Schedule 17 due diligence system address expressly whether the due diligence system has effectively supported the human rights of indigenous peoples to land, territories and resources.
Government Response Summary
The government states that statutory reviews of Schedule 17 will primarily focus on reducing deforestation but acknowledges the importance of indigenous peoples' role. It is currently exploring how to address the recommendation regarding human rights within the independent evaluation of the scheme.
29
Deferred
Para 94
Introduce legislation to bring UK financial sector businesses under the Schedule 17 regime.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government bring forward legislation to bring businesses in the UK financial sector within the scope of the Schedule 17 regime.
Government Response Summary
The government will publish guidance on Schedule 17's application to the financial sector when secondary legislation is laid, and HM Treasury will conduct a review to assess the adequacy of current regulation and consider future changes to eliminate illegal deforestation financing.
30
Acknowledged
Legislate for mandatory nature-related impact disclosure by businesses based on TNFD recommendations.
Recommendation
In order to support target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we recommend that the Government bring forward proposals to legislate for mandatory 50 The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation disclosure of nature-related impacts by businesses, including the …
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Government Response Summary
The government encourages businesses to use TNFD recommendations and will consider how best to incorporate them into UK policy and regulatory architecture, ensuring they are appropriate and beneficial for the UK context.
32
Accepted in Part
Para 105
Fulfil pledged funding commitments, continue diplomatic efforts, and restore UK domestic forests.
Recommendation
Decisive action must follow these commitments if the Kunming-Montreal goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and the commitments of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration and subsequent COP agreements are to be met. The UK must lead by example, …
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Government Response Summary
The government affirms its commitment to invest at least £1.5 billion in UK International Climate Finance, demonstrating it is on track to deliver this funding pledge. It provides detailed figures on current and future forest programming, including new funding announcements at COP28 for programmes like the Amazon Fund and IFSLU.
35
Accepted
Para 120
Provide clear transparency on spending of £1.5bn funding committed to addressing deforestation.
Recommendation
The UK Government should lead by example. We therefore welcome the recent confirmation that the UK is to maintain its flagship £11.6bn climate and nature funding pledge. The UK cannot step off the global stage in relation to its climate, …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms it is on track to deliver its £1.5 billion forest funding pledge, detailing £345 million spent in 2021-23 and announcing £576 million in new programming at COP28. It also states its commitment to transparency, publishing annual progress reports, and provides an overview of ICF forest spend.
37
Accepted
Ensure greatest possible proportion of UK funding reaches IPLC organisations directly and verifiably.
Recommendation
We welcome the commitment of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to fund capacity building initiatives for IPLC grassroots organisations. We recommend The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation 51 that, in order to ensure that this funding is used …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to increase direct funding to IPLC organisations. It outlines current efforts and new initiatives, including channeling £9m through the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility to provide direct grants to IPLCs, and supporting capacity building to access carbon finance.
39
Accepted
Para 138
Ensure Forest Governance Programme scope includes significant drivers of deforestation through regular review
Recommendation
We recommend that the scope of the next phase of the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme should be kept under regular review to ensure that the most significant drivers of deforestation are included.
Government Response Summary
The government has accepted the recommendation, stating that the new 10-year forest governance programme, for which a business case is being developed, will adopt a phased approach to adapt to new threats and will have a broader remit to include more drivers of illegal deforestation beyond timber.
41
Accepted in Part
Para 150
Share government review report widely and thoroughly incorporate lessons into future UK programmes
Recommendation
We recommend that the report of the Government review should be shared widely, including with the relevant EU authorities and Member States preparing for the successor programme to FLEGT-VPA. Lessons learned should be incorporated thoroughly into future UK programmes so …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms the FLEGT Post Implementation Review (PIR) will be published shortly and made widely accessible, and that it reflects country-specific factors. It commits to sharing the review internally and conducting further analysis of lessons learned, but does not explicitly commit to sharing with EU authorities.
43
Accepted
Para 159
Ensure Foreign Office makes significant contribution to securing indigenous tenure rights
Recommendation
Security of tenure rights for IPLCs is essential to measures to address deforestation. The UK Government can make a significant contribution to ensuring security of tenure. We recommend that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Government Response Summary
The government highlights several existing UK ODA programmes and contributions to international funds that focus on improving IPLC tenure rights and forest security, and mentions a recent scoping mission to inform future work.
44
Accepted
Para 159
Require Foreign Office to continue improving indigenous tenure rights and promote their inclusion
Recommendation
We recommend that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to address measures to improve tenure rights through its development programming. Ministers must ensure that IPLCs are supported in the protection and restoration of forests: one means of achieving this …
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Government Response Summary
The government details current UK ODA programmes and contributions that aim to improve IPLC tenure rights and forest security, and highlights ongoing efforts to promote IPLC inclusion in global negotiations, such as through the FCLP platform and UNFCCC processes.
45
Accepted
Ensure biodiversity considerations are consistently incorporated into all trade agreements and operations
Recommendation
For the UK Government to make good on its declared intention to put environmental sustainability measures at the heart of global production and trade, Ministers must ensure that biodiversity considerations are more consistently incorporated into its trade agreements and operations. …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of working with partners, including through trade negotiations, and states it will continue to uphold high environmental standards in all trade agreements. It is working to secure provisions supporting environmental protection and aims to use trade relationships to advance its ambitions on forestry, nature, and sustainable supply chains.
46
Accepted
Para 169
Extend UK engagement to major consumers in other markets to halt deforestation
Recommendation
Ending commodity-driven deforestation requires decisive action by all major consumers. While the UK and EU markets represent a relatively high proportion of global consumption of some forest risk commodities, such as cocoa and coffee, they account for a relatively small …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of working with international partners and explains its approach through trade negotiations to uphold environmental standards and address deforestation. It also highlights its leadership in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration and the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue to engage major producer and consumer countries.
47
Acknowledged
Para 170
Use trade negotiations to encourage high environmental standards and sustainable supply chains
Recommendation
If the UK Government is to persuade other major consumers to act on their deforestation footprint, it is important that the UK leads by example. We recommend that Ministers use the opportunity of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations to encourage …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of working with partners through trade negotiations to uphold high environmental standards and address deforestation, outlining existing efforts and ambitions in this area without committing to new specific actions.
48
Accepted in Part
Conduct sustainability impact assessments and develop strategies for environmental net gains in trade agreements
Recommendation
We reiterate the recommendation of our 2021 report on the UK’s footprint on global diversity: sustainability impact assessments must be conducted for all future trade agreements. Ministers must develop strategies for the effective monitoring and delivery environmental net gains, including …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that published impact assessments for new Free Trade Agreements already include environmental impacts like deforestation. However, regarding developing strategies for effective monitoring and delivery of environmental net gains, they have only undertaken research exploring its feasibility over the last 18 months.
Conclusions (23)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 21
Significant action is required to reduce the impact on deforestation of the UK’s consumption of agricultural products. While the UK is the 15th largest contributor to tropical deforestation in global terms, the intensity of UK consumption (measured in footprint per tonne of product consumed) is higher than that of China. …
Government Response Summary
The government states it has already taken significant action through initiatives like the Global Resource Initiative Taskforce and incorporated recommendations into the Environment Act 2021. It also highlights ongoing work by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to monitor the global environmental impact of UK consumption, with this evidence already informing policymaking.
2
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 22
Consumption patterns in the UK which rely on the current global supply chain are unsustainable. Addressing these patterns is essential to the UK’s contribution to the alleviation of global biodiversity loss. The first step in addressing them is in recognising the need to reduce the UK’s overall consumption. We welcome …
Government Response Summary
The government will continue to explore how the monitoring, measurement, and reporting of global environmental impacts can be further developed but states it will not consider setting a global footprint target until a robust evidence base is established to avoid unintended consequences.
4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 24
Understanding which forest risk commodities are contributing to deforestation, and on what scale, is essential for the UK and other nations to introduce effective legislation and policies. Monitoring and transparent data reporting are therefore crucial, including on how consumption contributes to deforestation. These are very complex undertakings, requiring global cooperation …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the importance of monitoring and transparent data reporting and states that scoping work is underway to assess the feasibility of incorporating metals and minerals into the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption indicator framework.
7
Conclusion
Deferred
Illegal mining is increasingly recognised as a driver of deforestation in some regions. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that its programmes addressing deforestation are to be expanded to cover a wider range of forest risk commodities, beyond timber, and will expressly include mining. We welcome this explicit …
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses solely on existing United Kingdom Timber Regulations (UKTR) and FLEGT Regulations, and plans to review the Timber Regulations in 2024, completely omitting any mention of mining as a driver of deforestation, which was the focus of the committee's conclusion.
9
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 38
Given the scale of government purchasing power, both centrally and across the wider public sector, the UK Government has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to drive best practice and to demand the use of sustainably sourced products.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Environment Act will require large organisations using forest risk commodities to ensure compliance with local land laws, and commits to publishing a review of the Forest Risk Commodity scheme two years after it comes into force to assess its effectiveness.
11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 40
Sustainable government procurement presents a pathway to increasing the sustainability of supply chains. Government performance against existing sustainable procurement policies has been unimpressive to date. The 2020–21 Greening Government Commitments report indicated that ten departments had submitted information about their performance against the procurement commitment in that year. Given that …
Government Response Summary
The government response entirely diverts from the recommendation to require full and published reporting against Greening Government Commitments, instead detailing consultation feedback on the number of forest risk commodities for due diligence legislation and deforestation footprint statistics.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 41
There is an opportunity to learn from the experience of timber and palm oil procurement, and to strengthen and extend these approaches.
Government Response Summary
The government response focuses on recognising and supporting the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) through due diligence legislation and FCDO programmes, rather than addressing the recommendation to learn from and extend approaches used in timber and palm oil procurement.
14
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 51
Current UK regulation is not sufficient when it comes to limiting non-sustainable deforestation. It relies too heavily on the laws in exporting countries and an assumption that that these laws will incorporate adequate provision for sustainability: as currently drafted the Regulations take control of the UK’s impact on sustainable timber …
Government Response Summary
The government commits to publishing guidance on the application of the Schedule 17 regime for the financial sector when secondary legislation is laid, and HM Treasury will conduct a review to assess the regulation of illegal deforestation financing.
16
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 76
The Government’s consultation on proposals for Schedule 17 implementation ended in March 2022, but secondary legislation has not yet been brought forward and the Government has not yet committed to a date by which it can be expected. While we welcome the Secretary of State’s recent clarification of the initial …
Government Response Summary
The government detailed its commitment to invest at least £1.5 billion in UK International Climate Finance for forest protection and restoration by March 2026, and announced £576 million in new forests programming, but did not address the delay in bringing forward secondary legislation for Schedule 17.
18
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 78
The due diligence system established under Schedule 17 will prohibit the use of illegally produced commodities with reference to compliance with local laws. This means that products of legal deforestation will not be within the scope of the system, unlike comparable EU legislation. This is regrettable. Only 31% of deforestation …
Government Response Summary
The government stated the FCDO is developing a business case for a follow-on 10-year forest governance programme that will have a broader remit, looking beyond timber to illegal deforestation, but did not commit to amending Schedule 17 to include legal deforestation.
20
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 80
To be effective, the Government’s proposed approach requires the UK to work in partnership with producer countries and to reinforce (and in some cases, strengthen) their legal and policy provisions to counter deforestation. We therefore recommend that the proposed demand-side due diligence system is complemented by Government initiatives to support …
Government Response Summary
The government stated it shares responsibility for IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge commitments and detailed numerous existing UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes that support IPLCs, strengthen tenure rights, and build capacity in producer countries, including future scoping missions and support for IPLC inclusion in negotiations.
21
Conclusion
Deferred
A phased introduction of forest risk commodities misses the opportunity to set early and clear expectations that deforestation is not welcome in any UK supply chains. While the Government’s announcement that four major commodities will be brought within initial scope of the Schedule 17 regime is welcome, the failure to …
Government Response Summary
The government affirmed its commitment to upholding high environmental standards in trade agreements, its ambition to protect the environment, and its involvement in international initiatives like the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration and the FACT Dialogue, but did not address the recommendation to include more forest-risk commodities in Schedule 17 without a phased approach.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 83
A due diligence system is likely to require companies to comply with any human rights requirement included in local land use or land ownership laws. We observe that the legal status of customary land tenure rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) varies between nations. Unless customary tenure rights …
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of safeguarding customary tenure rights and explains that its due diligence legislation applies where these rights are protected by national laws. It details several FCDO programmes (Land Facility, Land Enhancing Governance for Economic Development) working to promote land governance reform, tackle barriers to land rights recognition, and support IPLCs, with future work informed by recent scoping missions.
25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 85
Schedule 17 requires the Secretary of State to evaluate the effectiveness of the due diligence system in the third year following its full entry into force. The Act requires an evaluation of the impact of the regime on deforestation activity, but does not explicitly require an evaluation of the impact …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the crucial role of indigenous peoples and is exploring how the impact of the due diligence system on their human rights could be addressed within the independent evaluation of Schedule 17, while noting statutory reviews will focus on deforestation.
27
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 92
The UK financial sector is a direct and indirect contributor to financing deforestation. Financial institutions cannot meet their deforestation policies or their net zero commitments without also addressing their exposure to deforestation through the companies they finance.
Government Response Summary
The government states that guidance on applying the Schedule 17 regime to the financial sector will be published with secondary legislation, and HM Treasury will conduct a review to assess the adequacy of current regulations in eliminating illegal deforestation financing.
28
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 93
Information and data availability is one of the greatest challenges for financial institutions with regards to allowing them to assess and reduce their deforestation risk. We therefore welcome the Government’s championing of the work of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. We observe that making nature-related disclosures mandatory would not …
Government Response Summary
The government commits to publishing guidance on the application of the Schedule 17 due diligence regime to the financial sector and to conducting a review of financial regulation concerning the financing of illegal deforestation.
31
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 104
The UK Government has played a significant role in brokering agreements to reverse deforestation and has been influential in increasing the profile of nature at climate COPs. For the first time, many nations and significant private sector institutions have committed to action on deforestation: substantial financial commitments on deforestation have …
Government Response Summary
The government details its ongoing commitment to invest at least £1.5 billion in UK International Climate Finance for forest protection, confirming it is on track to deliver this pledge. It also highlights new funding announced at COP28, including significant support for the Amazon Fund and the IFSLU programme.
33
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 118
It is encouraging to see the commitments made at COP26, COP27 and COP28 on deforestation which were accompanied by major funding commitments. Past commitments to mobilise finance for climate adaptation have not yet been fulfilled and commitments to restore nature remain relatively underfunded. In order to meet the commitments of …
Government Response Summary
The government reiterates its commitment to invest at least £1.5 billion in UK International Climate Finance for forest protection, outlining progress towards this target and detailing new funding announcements from COP28. This demonstrates its efforts to mobilise promised funding.
34
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 119
Whilst the Committee welcomes recent funding announcements to tackle deforestation, it is unclear whether these are in addition to the £1.5 billion previously committed to in the Global Forest Finance Pledge.
Government Response Summary
The government clarified that it remains committed to the £1.5 billion pledge, and announced £576 million in new forests programming at COP28, with £466 million of this committed for support beyond the current ICF3 period, including a £35 million uplift for the Amazon Fund and up to £500 million for the IFSLU programme.
36
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 128
It is encouraging to see the IPLC donor pledge supporting the principle of the advancement of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ forest tenure rights and rewards their role as guardians of forests and nature. However, extremely little funding pledged for nature has previously supported IPLC tenure rights, and even less …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and is actively addressing the issue of direct funding for IPLCs. It details new ODA programmes that strengthen IPLC governance, including channeling £9m through the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility for direct grants and supporting capacity building for IPLCs to access carbon finance.
38
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 137
We welcome the Government’s commitment to a programme to continue the work of the of the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme, and the potential extension of its scope to include mining commodities.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO is currently developing the business case for a follow-on 10-year forest governance markets and climate programme, which will have a broader remit to include illegal deforestation beyond timber.
40
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 149
We look forward to the publication of the report of the Government’s review of the effectiveness of FLEGT-VPA programme. The evidence we have received indicates that the experience of the FLEGT-VPA varies greatly depending on the country context.
Government Response Summary
The government confirms that the FLEGT Post Implementation Review (PIR), reflecting on VPA countries and country-specific factors, provides clear conclusions and recommendations, and will be published shortly on gov.uk.
42
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 158
Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are vital protectors of forests: but they themselves are victims of the negative effects of deforestation activity, which can include violence and deprivation of livelihoods. Ensuring the full and meaningful participation of IPLCs in negotiations to address deforestation activity is therefore crucial: it is …
Government Response Summary
The government confirms its recognition of the crucial role of IPLCs and outlines extensive ongoing efforts through various ODA programmes to improve IPLC tenure rights and ensure their participation in global and national negotiations, including establishing dedicated platforms like the FCLP.