"Cutting down the worlds forests is responsible for about a fifth of global carbon emissions, but what many people may not realise is that this is linked to the illegal trade in timber. This is a major problem for many timber-producing countries in the developing world. It not only causes environmental damage, but costs governments billions of dollars in lost revenue, often involving corruption and funds armed conflict."

 - this was stated by Mr Benn when having a speech at Chatham House on tackling deforestation (as reported by WebNewsWire, January 26, 2010).

Mr Benn made the announcement on inclusion of social criteria in Government procurement policy based on the existing requirement that all Government bought timber is legal and sustainable, announced by Hilary Benn on 25 March 2009.

It seems UK governmental people are massively influenced by people like Caroline Lucas who communicate illegal logging as the main source and force of deforestation - which is fundamentally wrong.

Illegal logging is NOT the main source of deforestation ► read here...

Even logging of timber is NOT the main source of deforstation or of CO₂ emissions from deforestation ► read here...

But there is some hope, as you can ► read here...(pdf, 153 kB)

Read further here: The real drivers of deforestation - (December 2012)