Forests for a Just Future

Tropical forests are home to a vast array of biodiversity. In addition,1.6 billion people worldwide depend on tropical rainforests to survive. However, these forests are under immense pressure: 488 million hectares were lost between 2002 and 2023 ^[1]https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/global/ . What’s more, deforestation is often accompanied by violations of the rights of IP&LCs and environmental and human rights defenders.

Header photo: Ketuk & Iwan, members of the village forest patrol, next to a large medang tree in the Sumpur Kudus community forest © Stephanie Broekarts / IUCN NL

In eleven countries in South America, Africa and Asia, as well as internationally, the alliance works with civil society organisations (CSOs), Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&LCs) and social movements to:

• increase the participation of IP&LCs in policy and decision-making regarding land rights and forest governance.
• strengthen advocacy to address drivers of deforestation, and hold governments and industries accountable for deforestation and human rights violations. 
• strengthen the operational space and security of IP&LC leaders, CSO activists, and (women) environmental human rights defenders ((W)EHRDs). 

Forest governance by Indigenous peoples & local communities

When forests are cleared for expanding agricultural, mining or other industrial activities, this often happens at the expense of the territory and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. With their extensive knowledge and experience, these communities often play a key role in forest governance, and they should be key actors in any decision-making processes concerning their land and livelihoods. This is especially the case for women and youth, who are often under-represented in decision-making.

Recognising the rights of communities

In order to address these problems, it is important that the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities– especially women and  youth – are recognised and respected, and that they play a meaningful role in policy and decision-making. They possess the necessary knowledge and experience for sustainable landscape management, with a view to adapting to the changing climate and safeguarding biodiversity.

Therefore, we work with local partner organisations to safeguard  land ownership and access to rights for IP&LCs, to strengthen local institutions and make them more inclusive and to promote and support green livelihoods. We help, for example, establish social forestry models leading to effective and continued water flows for the benefit of nature and local agriculture, and develop sustainable local economic models as alternatives to deforestation, such as increasing the value of sustainably harvested (non-timber) forest products and establishing community-based enterprises. An example of this is a women’s group that produces candle nut oil. We also support a women’s association in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that uses drought-resilient farming techniques.

IUCN NL advocates for the development and implementation of policies that respects the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. This involves dialogue with and seeking the cooperation of influential stakeholders, such as local governments and businesses.

Halting deforestation by addressing drivers

Responsible value chains

Main drivers of tropical forest loss include industrial agriculture (soy, oil palm), cattle ranching, logging, mining and infrastructure expansion, driven by global demand for soy, palm oil, beef and metals and minerals.  Forest fires and weak governance add to the problem, with devastating consequences for climate and biodiversity. IUCN NL engages on several levels to address the drivers, and make commodity supply chains greener and more responsible .

EU Deforestation Regulation

The EU is responsible for over 10% of forest destruction globally through its consumption of commodities like meat, dairy, soy for animal feed, palm oil, coffee and cacao. Together with partner NGOs in the GLA we called for an EU regulation to combat deforestation, which was finally adopted in 2022. IUCN NL now uses its expertise, knowledge and tools for the effective implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation.

The Dutch Roundtable on Tropical Forests

With the Dutch Roundtable on Tropical Forests (DRTF), IUCN NL and GLA partner Tropenbos International facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue and exchange on the (Dutch) international forest policy agenda.

• Learn more about the DRTF

Securing civic space 

Combating deforestation and related human rights violations requires the ability to stand up against vested interests. NGOs and environmental and human rights activists – civil society – have less and less scope to express themselves in a growing number of countries. Their work is increasingly hindered, they are threatened, criminalised, or silenced through violence.  

It is also important that courts and authorities allow evidence of environmental and human rights violations from communities. This is necessary because it is often difficult for communities to prove abuses, due, for example, to the remote areas where crimes take place.

Binding regulations for environmental and human rights activists 

This is why we work to guarantee the freedom of movement and the safety of nature conservationists. We do so, for example, by advocating for binding regulations at the EU and UN level.

Providing protection

We ensure action can be taken quickly if IP&LCs and environmental and human rights defenders (EHRDs) find themselves in difficulty. We do this is by network and solidarity building with other organisations and Dutch embassies, promoting and supporting access to justice, providing trainings to CSOs and IP&LCs on safety and security, and by providing emergency funds so that people can be brought to safety or receive legal aid.

Inclusion, gender and youth involvement

Women, in all their diversity, are disproportionately affected by deforestation. Because women are often the ones responsible for securing water, food and fuel for cooking, they are the most vulnerable to the consequences of deforestation. Moreover, women, as well as youth and other marginalised people are under-represented in leadership of forest governance. Their expertise and insights are crucial for safeguarding tropical forests.

We strengthen women’s and youth participation in forest conservation and governance and promote women’s rights and gender responsiveness in forest-related policies, from local to global. We do so by strengthening the capacities of IP&LC women and supporting women’s groups and networks who stand up to protect their territories from mining activities, oil developments, dam constructions, or other activities leading to deforestation.