A new video shows the timber traceability system recently put in place in Darien, Panama, thanks to a project financed by ITTO and executed by WWF-Panama in collaboration with the Panama Ministry of Environment. The system, which tracks timber from the forest to the consumer, has already reduced forest illegality, with benefits for forests, managers, companies and the Ministry.

Private-sector procurement policies are prominent in the global North and among companies with global reach. A new special study by the Independent Market Monitor (IMM) identifies more than 100 organizations, tools, initiatives, templates and sets of guidance that could influence company timber procurement policies in the European Union (EU).

A new video shows images of beautiful Betung Kerihun National Park on the border between Indonesia and Malaysia on Borneo. The park, which is part of a transboundary conservation area, is home to at least 48 mammal species, including orangutan, 1200 plants and 112 fish species. ITTO projects in the area have helped uplift local livelihoods and improve biodiversity conservation outcomes.

Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) can be defined as geographical areas that are ecologically connected across one or more international boundaries, the management of which involves some form of cooperation. ITTO has been a strong supporter of TBCAs. In this edition we examine ITTO projects that have helped “build bridges” between Malaysia and Indonesia and between Guatemala and Mexico.

Tropical forest degradation is responsible for more carbon losses than deforestation, and investing in restoration through landscape approaches linked to supply chains is essential, therefore, for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 ˚C, according to a side-event organized by ITTO and the Japan Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute at the global climate conference last week.

Mexico must urgently address its looming wood supply gap if it is to meet the needs of its growing population, according to ITTO Executive Director Gerhard Dieterle. Speaking at Expo Forestal 2018 in Guadalajara in October, Dr Dieterle said a major investment in Mexican forests would generate many economic, social and environmental benefits, including satisfying domestic wood demand.