Local communities

Local communities already help manage over 25% of the world’s forests through what is called Participatory Forest Management (PFM).  Tom Blomley, forestry advisor for the Danish government’s international aid agency, DANDA, explores PFM’s successes and shortcomings, and ho

A recent article on the BBC website decried the treatment of local populations in the development of REDD (Reducing Emissions f

Paper and pulp manufacturer Sappi on Wednesday announced a proposed R814-million broad-based black economic-empowerment (BBBEE) deal that would benefit employees and communities surrounding its mills and plantations in South Africa.

CEO Ralph Boëttger said in a conference call that the deal was an important milestone for the group and would translate into the empowerment of about 30% of its South African business.

The Office of Climate Change (OCC) last night described the objections by some indigenous leaders to the LCDS and REDD+ policies as “malicious misrepresentations and distortions” and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public on the two policies.

Indigenous leaders say that they support “in principle” proposals that aim to protect standing forests but said that they must not be pressured into make decisions without full understanding of the implications of such policies.