What are the global issues?

On a global scale, deforestation is a key environmental issue. Deforestation is best described as a situation where forests are removed and not replaced or regrown. Worldwide, most deforestation occurs in the conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land-uses such as cattle ranching or palm oil plantations (FAO 2010a). Globally, 156 countries have specific forest law and 143 countries have forest policy statements (FAO 2010a).

World Wood Production

Wood is harvested for two main purposes - fuel and industrial use. Wood harvested for fuel is generally used to generate heat for cooking, warmth and light and in some countries to generate electrical power. Wood harvested for industrial purposes includes fibre used in the manufacture of paper products, and timber for building and construction.

The continued growth of the world’s population, and the high levels of poverty in some nations, may increase the destruction of natural forests for farming and fuel than harvesting for timber. In some countries, and especially in the tropics, forests are being logged so that people can sell the timber, or use the cleared land to graze animals or grow crops for overseas export. This can result in the loss of precious environmental resources, as well as other environmental problems such as increased soil erosion, pollution of water supplies and disruption to local peoples’ way of life.

Around six billion hectares of forest have disappeared during the past three centuries. Only one-third of the world’s land area is still covered by forests, but the proportion of forest land differs considerably from country to country. The most rapid loss of forest is occurring in the tropics. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states that “the rate of deforestation shows signs of decreasing – but is still alarmingly high” (FAO 2010a).

About a third of timber harvested from rainforests is used to make paper. The average person in an industrialised nation uses 150 kg of paper each year, which is equivalent to the weight of three small adults!

Sustainable forestry programs are being sponsored in the ‘developing nations’ of the world by organisations such as the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Forestry Programme (FAO 2010b).

The Montreal Process

This began as an initiative of the Government of Canada, who hosted a meeting in Montreal in September 1993. The goal of the Montreal meeting was to develop a scientifically rigorous set of criteria and indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests.

Six of the criteria deal with forest conditions, attributes or functions, and the values or benefits associated with the environmental, social and economic goods and services that forests provide:

• conservation of biological diversity;
• maintenance of productive capacity of forest ecosystems;
• maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality;
• conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources;
• maintenance of forest contribution to global carbon cycles; and
• the maintenance and enhancement of long-term multiple socio-economic benefits to meet the needs of societies.

Twelve countries in the world now participate. These are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, USA and Uruguay (MPWG 2005).

These countries represent 90% of the world’s temperate and boreal forests, as well as areas of tropical forests and 60% of all the world’s forests (MPWG 2005).

The Kyoto Protocol

This is an international agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1997 and entered into force in 2005 (UNFCCC 2011a).

Developed countries are responsible for most of the world’s past greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, to lead international action, the Kyoto Protocol commits 37 industrialised countries and the European community to take domestic action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (UNFCCC 2011a).

The Kyoto Protocol now covers 192 countries and over 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions (UNFCCC 2011b). Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol came into effect in 2008 (DCCEE 2010b).

Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride; or to engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. The clearing and planting of forests since 1990 are important factors that influence a country’s ability to meet their greenhouse gas emissions target. Each country’s emissions target was negotiated and agreed internationally (DCCEE 2010c).

To meet their targets, countries can use their own national measures, but the Kyoto Protocol provides additional ways for them to meet their targets via three mechanisms, including emissions trading (UNFCCC 2011a).