Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
REDD takes a turn for the worst at Bangkok meeting
Press Release – 03/10/2009
Bangkok - Today, the UNFCCC released new consolidated text for REDD, the part of the treaty intended to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation. With only two weeks of negotiations left before Copenhagen, this text will profoundly influence the shape of the final agreement, determining whether or not we will actually succeed in reducing the 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions that result from the continuing destruction of the world's tropical forests and peatlands.
The following are statements from members of the Ecosystems Climate Alliance
"The REDD process is doing precisely what it was created not to do," said Dr. Rosalind Reeve of Global Witness. "It's turning into the biggest subsidy ever for the logging industry and putting us on the road to forest destruction."
"The text released today contains no explicit wording to protect intact natural forests," said Peg Putt, of the Wilderness Society. "People around the world are expecting REDD monies to protect tropical forests, not destroy them; and to reduce emissions, not increase them."
"To restore the original intent of REDD, parties must add a clear definition of forests that does not allow for the conversion of rainforests and peatlands to plantations," said Bill Barclay of Rainforest Action Network. "We have to get REDD right if Copenhagen is going to succeed in reducing global emissions. This language fails that test."
"There's no wording assuring Indigenous rights," said Nils Hermann Ranum of Rainforest Foundation Norway. "Rather, the proposals here undermine all the battles of Indigenous peoples for the respect of their rights and threaten all the rights guaranteed to them under existing international agreements."
A point-by-point analysis will be available from ECA on Monday, on request.
/ Ends
Contact: Don Lehr + 66 08 255 455 829; Margaret Swink +1 415 720 0080
Read Global Witness' latest briefing on REDD
Read more about Global Witness' work on forests and climate
The Ecosystems Climate Alliance (ECA) is an alliance of environment and social NGOs committed to keeping natural terrestrial ecosystems intact and their carbon out of the atmosphere, in an equitable and transparent way that respects the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. ECA recognises that avoiding emissions of terrestrial carbon stored in the soils and biomass of forests, peatlands and wetlands represents the largest potential single opportunity for cost-effective greenhouse gas mitigation. ECA advocates climate, forest and land use policies to give strong, equitable, transparent and positive incentives free of perversities for avoiding the degradation of terrestrial carbon stores and for rehabilitating degraded land, supported by effective forest governance, robust monitoring and demand-side policies to ensure meaningful outcomes. ECA comprises Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Global Witness, Humane Society International, Rainforest Action Network, Rainforest Foundation Norway, The Rainforest Foundation U.K., Wetlands International and The Wilderness Society.
Latest Publications
July 2010
The Bribery Act: what it means for business
Briefing paper produced by the Chartered Institute of Managment Accountants in collaboration with Global Witness outlining the implications for accountants and businesses worldwide of the new 2010 UK Bribery Act.
Global Witness takes UK government to court for failing to list UK companies trading Congo conflict minerals for UN sanctions
Global Witness has made an application to the High Court for a judicial review of the British government is acting unlawfully in refusing to put forward eligible UK companies and individuals trading in Congolese ‘conflict minerals' for targeted UN sanctions, said campaign group Global Witness today
Рисковый бизнес: кто контролирует Казахмыс ПЛС?
Russian translation of 'Risky Business' report.
Russkyi perevod doklada 'Riskovyi biznes.'
Letter on civil society participation in climate change and deforestation talks
Global Witness has signed a letter along with 39 other organisations complaining about the short notice given to civil society groups regarding participation in a meeting of the Interim REDD+ Partnership in Brasilia from 14-15 July. The non-transparent process and restrictions on participation violate the spirit and letter of the agreement and represent a serious false start.
U.S. passes landmark reforms on resource transparency
Global Witness strongly welcomes a ground-breaking new bill, passed by the U.S. Senate today, which will help to lift the curse of corruption and conflict from poor countries that are rich in oil and minerals by promoting greater public oversight and responsible trading practices.
Crisis averted by last-minute deal on Zimbabwe diamonds, but campaigners warn that biggest test lies ahead
A deal reached by the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme could pave the way for reinforced oversight of diamond production in Zimbabwe, while allowing for limited exports. The deal is far from perfect and its success or otherwise will be determined by what the main players do next.
Renewing the Pledge: Re-Engaging the Guarantors to the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement
With six months until a referendum on Southern independence, Sudan is alarmingly unprepared. Renewing the Pledge is published by a coalition of 26 NGOs, including Global Witness from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the US. The report calls calls for urgent action from African heads of state who will meet shortly at a major summit of the African Union in Uganda from 19 – 27 July.
Six months before critical referendum, Sudan alarmingly unprepared
With six months until a referendum on Southern independence, Sudan is alarmingly unprepared according to a new report published today by a global coalition of 26 humanitarian and human rights organisations. The report calls for urgent action from African heads of state at the African Union summit.
Kazakh company on FTSE 100 a risk for investors, says Global Witness
Kazakhmys plc, a FTSE 100 company which mines copper in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, failed to declare potentially key information about its shareholders and directors when it listed on the London Stock Exchange, thereby exposing investors to unquantifiable risk, warned Global Witness in a report published today.
Bail for Zimbabwe diamond activist welcome, but charges must be dropped
We welcome the decision by the Harare High Court to grant bail to Zimbawean human rights campaogner, Farai Maguwu, who has been in custody since 3 June. The spurious charges against Fairai must now be droppped immediately.
Risky Business: Kazakhstan, Kazakhmys plc and the London Stock Exchange
Kazakhmys plc, a FTSE 100 company which mines copper in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, failed to declare potentially key information about its shareholders and directors when it listed on the London Stock Exchange, thereby exposing investors to unquantifiable risk.
This report raises serious concerns about London's "light-touch" market regulation and argues that it would be in the public interest for companies like Kazakhmys to be required to provide much more information to investors about political risk.
Congo Now! petition calls on UK to do more to end violence in DRC
Congo Now! is a coalition of non-governmental organisations, politicians and Congolese activists who are calling for the UK government to do more to end the cycle of violence and suffering in the resource-rich country.
Global Witness welcomes new EU law banning illegal timber
The European Parliament has introduced new legislation banning the trade of illegally sourced timber and timber products in EU member states. Global Witness warmly welcomed the reform as an important step towards cracking down on illegal logging around the world.
Do No Harm: A guide for companies sourcing from the DRC
Companies sourcing minerals and metals from conflict zones have a responsibility to ensure that they are not directly or indirectly funding human rights abuses or other crimes. Some companies claim that it is too complicated or too difficult for them to do. Global Witness has produced a guide, outlining the steps they must take.
Negotiations between north and south Sudan must include a fair and transparent oil deal
A fair and transparent arrangement for sharing and monitoring the revenues from Sudan’s oil fields should be a top priority for negotiators from north and south Sudan who begin talks today on what will happen if the south votes for independence in January’s referendum, said campaign group Global Witness.
5 Principles for a Post-Referendum Oil Deal in Sudan - briefing paper
A fair and transparent arrangement for sharing and monitoring the revenues from Sudan’s oil fields should be a top priority for negotiators from north and south Sudan who begin talks today on what will happen if the south votes for independence in January’s referendum. The January vote could see the birth of a new country: if so, it will be impoverished and heavily dependent on oil revenues, yet also dependent on former foes in north in order to export its oil. Transparency over oil revenues will be critical to preventing a return to war - this briefing paper outlines 5 principles that will be crucial in reaching such an agreement.
June 2010
Liberian debt relief welcome but better financial controls needed to prevent corruption
The decision by the World Bank to grant debt relief to Liberia under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) is welcome but more needs to be done to prevent corruption in the post-conflict country.
