Agricultural tractors with attached winches, grapple tongues and log trailers with cranes are the key machines for small-scale forestry work in developed countries. In the near future, a similar role is also foreseen in small-scale community forestry work in Asia and the Pacific.

Equity has featured prominently in international climate change discourse since the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. Looking forward, equity is expected to be of even greater relevance in this year’s hoped for landmark climate agreement, to be finalized at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) remains a focal point of global debate at the intersection of forest and climate change policy.

The report describes the process of developing a certificate that is issued by the Lao PDR government to recognize user rights over one rotation period and to facilitate the legal harvesting and transport of timber from teak plantations. Financial valuation was added to the certificates to test the possibility of using standing timber value as loan collateral in local microfinance schemes.

The introduction and safe use of chainsaws is arguably the biggest improvement in small-scale forestry harvesting. Felling timber with chainsaws can be accomplished over a relatively short period of time while requiring only a small investment – that is, if laws allow the use of this type of machinery and if service providers for training, maintenance and supply of spare parts, as well as additional support, is in place.

Mobile motor winches play an important role in forest harvesting. They are used in situations where winches mounted on tractors and forwarders cannot reach logs or other objects to be moved.

This two-part infographic explains the importance of social equity in forests and the basics on putting it into practice. The infographic defines equity and provides an easy to understand overview of the key elements that will empower forest-dependent communities. Through understanding equity, forest communities will better understand their rights and be prepared to participate in the decision-making process so they gain a fair share of benefits from forest resources.

Wooden chutes for big, heavy timber built with round logs can provide permanent transportation solutions. However, their use in tropical natural forests cannot be generally recommended due to the fact that their construction needs specially trained labor and that extractable volumes are often very low, in most cases not exceeding 20-30 meter (m)3 per harvest cycle.

Equity has featured prominently in international climate change discussions since the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. Looking forward, equity is expected to be of even greater relevance in this year’s hoped for landmark climate agreement, to be finalized at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) remains a focal point of global debate at the intersection of forest and climate change policy.

This report is an output of the Forest Certification for Ecosystem Services (ForCES) project. The ForCES project is implemented by the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Vinh Tu commune, Quang Tri province and the Huong Son Forest State Company, Ha Tinh province. Funding for the ForCES project has been provided by the Global Environment Facility and the Embassy of Finland through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests.

This brief reviews a teak tree valuation methodology that attempts to ameliorate the risks inherent to borrowers and banks as well to ensure that community forestry principles and aims to improve livelihoods and capabilities are adaptable to existing social and economic pressures. The valuation method was created in tandem with the implementation of a smallholder forestry project in Bokeo, Lao PDR. The project was implemented by RECOFTC in conjunction with the Lao Provincial Organisation for Forestry and Agriculture (PAFO) and the Lao Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Forestry policy and practice in Britain has been subject to a series of paradigm changes since the establishment of the Forestry Commission in 1919. Drawing on a documentary analysis of legislation, published policy statements, commentaries and scholarly critiques, this paper argues that British forestry policy has undergone three significant paradigm shifts since it was first mooted in the late 19th century.

The development of modern high efficiency bioenergy technologies has the potential to improve energy security and access while reducing environmental impacts and stimulating low-carbon development. While modern bioenergy production is increasing in the world, it still makes a small contribution to our energy matrix. At present, approximately 87% of energy demand is satisfied by energy produced through consumption of fossil fuels.