Resources

Bibliography compiled by Lorena Ibargüen Tinley in 2004. A-Z by country and subject:

• Africa
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Certification
• CITES
• Communities
• Concessions
• Corruption
• Deforestation
• Ecuador
• FLEG
• Forest Crimes
• Forest Law
• Forest Law Enforcement
• Forest Policy
• Forests
• Global Witness
• Governance
• Illegal Logging
• Illegal Timber Trade
• Independent Forest Monitoring
• Indonesia
• Kimberley Process
• Law Enforcement
• Monitoring
• Participation
• Philippines
• Trade

2003, East Asia Ministerial Conference. Forest Law Enforcement and Governance. Bali, Indonesia: May/4/2003
Abstract: The conference declaration recognized the need to take immediate action to intensify national, as well as bilateral and regional efforts to address violations of forest law and forest crime, in particular illegal logging, and associated illegal trade and corruption. Some of the activities that the declaration promoted are: exchange of experience and information, cooperation among law enforcement authorities, involvement of stakeholders, and improving economic opportunities for those relying on forest resources, among others. In order to proceed with the implementation of such actions, the declaration called for the creation of a regional task force on forest law enforcement and governance, as well as an advisory group to the regional taskforce
Keywords: corruption/East Asia/forest law enforcement/governance/illegal logging/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Anderson, M., Simmons, G., Werring, J., & Sassaman, B. 2001, Interior stumpage report. Sierra Legal Defense Fund (SLDF)
Abstract: In January 2001, the Sierra Legal Defense Fund (SLDF) released the report "Stumpage Sellout," which documented abuses of the stumpage system by logging companies operating on the British Columbia Coast. This report extends the scope of that analysis by examining stumpage rates and revenues in the Interior of B.C. The results of this report reveal that the trends found on the coast are repeated in the Interior
Keywords: abuses of stumpage system/Canada/corruption/monitoring/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Brown, D. & Wells, A. 2004, Illegal logging: who gains from tighter controls?
Abstract: This policy brief describes some of the main factors that contribute to illegality in the forest sector and point out some of the main aspects that need to be implemented in order to combat illegal logging. Illegality in the forestry sector is widespread due to:

• weak environmental ministries that do not have enough strength or budget to adequately control forest industry and production
• powerful economic groups that benefit form illegal logging
• difficulties associated to regulating a industry that is often in a isolated environment
• strict legislation (permit procedures, field level monitoring, enforcement), causing high costs for producers who need to access the market and facilitate government documentation.

What is needed? The authors stress the need to reform the regulatory framework for the industry and reduce transaction costs, while targeting institutional corruption as well through:

• strengthening of land rights
• simplification of administrative procedures
• access to information and greater transparency
• awareness in consumer markets

The promotion of sustainable forest management that will be more prone to exclude free riders from the market place.
Keywords: corruption/illegal logging/monitoring/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Contreras-Hermosilla, A. 2000, The underlying causes of forest decline , Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Abstract: Underlying causes of deforestation and degradation originate in some of the most basic features of society, such as the distribution of economic and political power, attitudes towards corruption, population growth, flaws in the market system, and also in seemingly unrelated government policies. They may originate in other countries and transmit their effects through trade and the operation of transnational corporations
Keywords: communities/corruption/deforestation/illegal timber trade/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Contreras-Hermosilla, A. & Vargas Rios, M. T. 2002, Social, environmental and economic dimensions of forest policy reforms in Bolivia , Forest Trends and Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Abstract: This paper looks at the experience of designing and implementing policy reforms in the Bolivian forestry sector. It describes the process that led to the adoption of policy reforms, the main features of the policy reform package, as well as a section focusing on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of reform and the lessons that can be derived from the Bolivian experience. Some of the main policy reforms mentioned are:

• the examination of planning documents (the forest management plan, the annual operations plans, annual and quarterly reports from the raw material processing centres),
• Use of independent inspecting agents
• Inspections at anytime by the superintendcy's own initiative or at the request of a third party
• A flat fee on timber concessions to undermine the discretionary power of corrupt forest officers controlling the implementation of concession contracts.
• Open auctions on all new concessions contracts
• Civil society participation, whereby the public can become directly involved in forest law enforcement

Keywords: Bolivia/concessions/corruption/forest law/forest law enforcement/law enforcement/participation/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Currey, D., Doherty, F., Lawson, S., Newman, J., Yayat, M. A., Hapsoro Minangsari, M., & Valentinus, A. 2002, Above the law. Corruption, collusion, nepotism and the fate of Indonesia's forests , Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Telapak, Indonesia.
Abstract: This report highlights the problem of illegal logging and issues such as corruption, bribery, fraud and violence. The document concludes that the government of Indonesia has failed to crack down on illegal logging due to endemic corruption in the enforcement and judicial authorities. It points out nevertheless, that there are reformists officials in the Ministry of Forestry that have taken some courageous decisions to stop the problem despite enormous pressure used against him. The report finalizes with recommendations to the government of Indonesia and to the international community, some of which are summarized as follows:

• Immediate suspension and investigation of enforcement officers suspected of aiding and abetting illegal activities
• A national independent forest crimes unit must be formed from selected honest investigators, prosecutors and judges
• The business activities of the military must be made transparent and accountable
• Timber consuming countries must enact new legislation to prevent the import of illegally sourced timber and timber products.
• Financial and technical support must be provided to the government of Indonesia to tackle judicial reform.

Keywords: communities/corruption/forest crimes/illegal logging/Indonesia/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Forest Integrity Network 2003, "Business principles and forest corruption", FIN Newsletter no. 6, October 2003.
Abstract: The FIN Newsletter includes information on corporate social responsibility (CSR) management as an emerging and promising tool to deter illegal logging and associated corruption. The CSR program is defined as a voluntary effort by companies to adopt accepted principles for responsible conduct of businesses. It then looks at the case of Ecuador's National Outsource Forest Control System and the threat which exists as a Constitutional Tribune declared the forest control system to be unconstitutional. The third topic informs about the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA) workshop on finance and illegal logging. Finally, there is information on the World Bank's activities to support containment of illegal activities within the forest sector
Keywords: corruption/Ecuador/illegal logging/Transparency International/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 1996, Corruption, war and forest policy
Abstract: This document examines deforestation in Cambodia, focusing on the role of the Royal Government of Cambodia in its destruction and the continued involvement of the Thai government and military with the Khmer Rouge in the cross border trade in timber. The document contains two main sections; the first is an examination of the RGC's forest policy and the realities of the corrupt and illegal trade. The second part focuses on Thailand's continued role as a major importer of Cambodian timber
Keywords: Cambodia/corruption/deforestation/forest policy/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 1998, Going places...Cambodia's future on the move
Abstract: A review of the developments in the forestry sector in Cambodia in 1997. The report notes that the rate of forest destruction accelerated following the July 1997 coup d'etat, in part due to the high costs being borne by the political parties in the lead up to the election
Keywords: Cambodia/corruption/forest policy/illegal logging/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 1999, Made in Vietnam - cut in Cambodia. How the garden furniture trade is destroying rainforests
Abstract: This report exposes the illegal trade in Cambodian timber to Vietnam, where it is made into garden furniture and then exported to European high street stores
Keywords: Cambodia/corruption/illegal logging/trade/Vietnam/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 2001, The credibility gap and the need to bridge it. Increasing the pace of forestry reform in Cambodia
Abstract: This briefing document reviews the developments in the forestry sector in Cambodia over the year 2000, detailing incidents of illegal logging throughout the country. It examines the role of the Royal Government of Cambodia in the forestry reform process and points out that although there has been significant progress, there are still many issues that need to be dealt with. The report mentions among the positive aspects the formation of the Forest Crime Monitoring Unit (FCMU), the commitment to passing new forestry laws, and establishing new concession agreements. Nevertheless, there are still problems related to impunity and corruption. The report highlights an important contradiction: while the military is still in control of illegal logging activities, it is given the task of combating it
Keywords: Cambodia/corruption/forestry reform/illegal logging/monitoring/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 2002, Forest law enforcement in Cameroon. 1st summary report of the Independent Observer, May - November 2001
Abstract: The project of Independent Observation in support of Forest Law Enforcement in Cameroon was established in May 2001. Its aim is to improve governance and transparency in the forest sector, which has been acknowledged to be seriously affected by corruption and poor practices. The international NGO, Global Witness, was appointed Independent Observer (IO) in May 2002 for up to three years until an international bid takes place to fulfil the post. This is the first major report by Global Witness as the IO, and as such, it gives an overview of the project, its conception, objectives and the progress that has been achieved during the initial six-month transition phase. The document concludes that this initiative is a positive step forward in the fight against corruption and illegal logging. However, the credibility gained, the assumed political will and commitment to transparency, should be contrasted with the lack of action taken against major logging companies. Enforcement remains to be demonstrated by the Government by the application of significant sanctions
Keywords: Cameroon/corruption/forest law/forest law enforcement/governance/illegal logging/law enforcement/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 2003, Forest law enforcement in Cameroon. 2nd summary report of the Independent Observer, December 2001 - June 2003
Abstract: This Report is the second of its kind, since Global Witness was appointed IO and includes an overview of the project of Independent Observation, a progress review of the objectives of the Project, the Independent Observers mandate, and a description of its activities. Its major conclusion is that during the first two years of work the Independent Observer has been able to attain greater access to documentation, has completed 35 field missions documenting in detail major and minor infractions and has published all related reports. This achievement however, has not concluded in the pursuit of these cases to their legal resolution. The issuing of official statements of offence and prosecution for illegal logging has increased since the beginning of the Project, but despite this cases of illegal logging remain unresolved
Keywords: Cameroon/corruption/forest law/forest law enforcement/governance/illegal logging/independent forest monitoring/law enforcement/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Gupta, A. & Siebert, U. 2004, "Combating forest corruption: the Forest Integrity Network", Journal of Sustainable Forestry , vol. 19, no. 1-3, pp. 337-349.
Abstract: This article describes the strategies and activities of the Forest Integrity Network (FIN), which is a new initiative to combat forest corruption. Its approach is to form global multi-stakeholder coalitions between the civil, private and public sectors and to create synergies between organizations fighting corruption, like Transparency International, and actors concerned with forest conservation and sustainable use. The article describes FIN's current activities which include:

1. an analysis of the relevance of TI's corruption fighting tools dealing with forest sector corruption,
2. a future Forest corruption Fighters' Toolkit;
3. conceptual frameworks for comparative analysis.

Keywords: corruption/Forest Integrity Network/illegal logging/multi-stakeholder coalitions/Transparency International/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Lawson, S. 2004, Profiting from plunder. How Malaysia smuggles endangered wood , Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) & Telapak
Abstract: This document exposes forest crime activities in Malaysia and Indonesia. It reports on the largest ever smuggling operation of the valuable and protected tree species Ramin to Malaysia. The evidence shows Indonesia's continuing failure to bring to justice timber barons who supply and transport illegal timber and Malaysia's complicity in protecting its own Ramin processing industry
Keywords: corruption/forest crimes/illegal logging/Indonesia/Malaysia/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Newman, J., Rwindrijarto, A., Currey, D., & Hapsoro 1999, The final cut. Illegal logging in Indonesia's Orangutan Parks , Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Telapak Indonesia
Abstract: This report denounces illegal logging activities in two of Indonesia's most important protected areas, Tanjung Puting National Park and Gunung Leuser National Park. It condemns the role of local timber barons, members of the military, police and the forest department involved in the pillaging of the forest. It presents information on the scale of illegal logging, the threat to biodiversity and gives an overview of the legal forest reform process. The document ends with a series of recommendations that include: immediate investigation and prosecution of owners of sawmills proven to be acting illegally, the passing of an alternative forestry law, investigation into corruption of the authorities, and the responsibility the international community must take for their consumption of illegally produced timber from Indonesia, among others
Keywords: corruption/deforestation/illegal logging/Indonesia/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA) 2003, UK Government Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Programme, Assessment. Workshop proceedings, Monday 1st of December 2003. RIIA, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, London
Abstract: This document summarized key issues discussed in the UK Government Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Programme Assessment, which had the objective of gathering views on whether the original aims and elements of the programme were still valid after a first year of activities. The discussion was organized into four main groups comprising the following:

1. Indonesia-UK Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The main issues discussed were the immediate need for a workable national definition of legality, the impacts of both logging and enforcement on the poor, law enforcement and corruption measures, the need for policy coherence, trade measures, among others. One of the main conclusions was that the MoU's main weakness was its limited geographical reach.
2. The Regional Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Process (FLEG) - In the debate over the FLEG process the key themes were donor leverage, the vital importance of monitoring and follow up, the lack of political will in producer countries and the need to clarify aims.
3. Timber industry and private sector initiatives - The main topics were the need for definitions of legality, certification schemes, costs, consumer education, market-based approaches vs. government action and the impact of plantation forestry.
4. Research Agenda and Systems Development - The main issue was the dialogue around independent monitoring schemes like the work done by Global Witness as well as the experiences by SGS. The key themes were the need for coordination, coherence and cross-referencing of research to create a strategic framework, and using legislation in innovative ways.

Keywords: certification/corruption/FLEG/forest law/forest law enforcement/governance/illegal logging/independent monitoring /Indonesia-UK MoU/law enforcement/ monitoring/SGS/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Saunders, J. 2002, Capturing the Profits of Illegal Logging and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 , RIIA
Abstract: A meeting was held on 18th March 2002 to assess the possible applicability and usefulness of the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in capturing the profits of illegal logging. The meeting explored the circumstances under which this legislation can be used effectively against the proceeds of illegal logging which is carried out overseas but where the proceeds are disposed of in the UK
Keywords: corruption/Crime Act 2002/illegal logging/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Secretariat of the Forest Integrity Network, Landell-Mills, P., Spears, J., & Gupta, A. 2002, Progress toward containment of forest corruption and improved forest governance. An information note prepared for Transparency International's Annual General Meeting
Abstract: This document summarizes some of the initiatives taken recently by various stakeholder groups to combat forest corruption and foster improved forest law enforcement. It recognizes that the containment of forest related corruption can only be done with the participation of various stakeholders including local communities, NGO's, private sector, governments and development agencies and proceeds to give brief descriptions and examples.

• Local communities: community action in India, Mexico and Tanzania.
• NGO's: work done by Global Witness, the Nature Conservancy, Forest Trends and Global Forest Watch.
• Private Industry: Council for Forest and Paper Associations, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
• Governments: Albania, Cambodia, Ecuador, Indonesia, FLEG in Africa and Asia, and the European Commission's Action Plan.
• Multilateral Banks and Development Agencies: World Bank, FAO, the International Tropical Timber Organization

The document concludes with TI's and FIN's steps to build coalitions to fight forest corruption by:

1. building up and publicizing data and information on the issue
2. promoting action plans that include ideas such as: community forestry, integrity pacts for forest concessions, review of laws and policies, certification, citizen-watch activities etc.

Keywords: Africa/Asia/Cambodia/certification/communities/ concessions/corruption/Ecuador/FLEG/forest law/forest law enforcement/governance/Indonesia/law enforcement/ NGO's/participation/Transparency International/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140