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Between the forests and the trees: An emerging international forest law

Author
Brunnée J., Nollkaemper A.
Journal/Series
Environmental Conservation | Vol. 23(4); 307 - 314; 8 p.
Date
1996
Source
IUCN (ID: ANA-061797)
Publisher | Place of publication
Foundation for Environmental Conservation | Lausanne, Switzerland
Language
English
Field of application
International
Subject
Forestry
Keyword
Forest management/forest conservation Policy/planning
Abstract

Contents: International forest law remains an undeveloped area of law. It consists of a multitude of treaties and non-treaty instruments dealing in a rather unprincipled and uncoordinated manner with such issues as biodiversity in forests; protection of forests as sinks of carbon dioxide; protection of endangered tree species; and trade in timber. However, in the face of mounting pressure on the world 's tropical and other forests, in recent years there have been attempts to clarify and articulate the values and objectives underlying international forest policy that may induce a further development of the law. A tension exists between the firmly-rooted claims of sovereignty over forests and the emerging, increasingly - accepted legal principles which could guide international forest law: the principles of common concern, inter-generational equity and precaution. This shift has begun to influence the development of international forest law in critical international activities, including the Biodiversity Convention, the Climate Change Convention and, particularly, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. The various layers of dialogue which have emerged to address different aspects of the forest issue ( including legal, trade, and ecological issues) promote a gradual convergence of expectations and interests and thus ultimately may further normative development. Despite the diversity of forests and forest concerns between regions and continents, there is an important role for a set of general legal principles, objectives and procedures defining the parameters and establishing the ground rules of global forest law

Other references

Treaty

Convention on Biological Diversity

Treaty | Multilateral | Rio de Janeiro |

Keyword: Sustainable use, Subsidy/incentive, Policy/planning, Ecosystem preservation, Access and benefit sharing, Traditional rights/customary rights, Protected area, Management/conservation, Financing, Institution, Liability/compensation, Protection of habitats, Alien species, Biodiversity, EIA, Research, Monitoring, Genetic resources, Dispute settlement, Ex-situ conservation, Data collection/reporting, Technology transfer, Biotechnology, Education, Crops/grasses

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001148)

Treaty

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Treaty | Multilateral | New York |

Keyword: Climate change, Intergenerational equity, Technology transfer, Data collection/reporting, International organization, Education, Access-to-information, Sustainable development, Inventory, Emissions, EIA, Research, Dispute settlement, Monitoring, Precautionary principle, Ozone layer, Public participation

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001147)