Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is gaining momentum in intergovernmental processes, partnerships and projects, reports an article on the website of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

The article gives a number of examples of political support for SFM and research to demonstrate its effectiveness, including:

• Support from European agriculture ministers (from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) for SFM under the Forest Europe Framework
• A partnership in Malawi with the EU that is developing a sustainable small-scale forestry enterprise; empowering 280 forest-dependent communities and benefiting more than 200 private stakeholders
• Commitment by Unilever in Indonesia to work towards a deforestation-free supply chain for palm oil while improving the livelihoods of local communities.

Recently, the World Agroforestry Centre and World Vision Malawi launched the 3-year ‘Empowering Forest Dependent Communities through Commercialization of Small Scale Forestry’ project. It will involve the development of small scale timber out grower schemes and promote the sustainable use of natural forests as well as developing accountability mechanisms for improved forest resource use and establish and develop market linkages for forest products (Read more).

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in halting the destruction of natural forests and preventing increased poverty among forest dependent communities

Read the full story: SFM a Focus in Politics and Practice