Illegal logging

industry. In 2010, the forestry sector employed approximately 1.1 million people or 1 per cent of the workforce, 6 but in recent years employment in the sector has decreased by a factor of seven. 7 Forests provide crucial habitats, livelihoods for local people, vital ecosystem services and aesthetic benefits that enrich people’s lives. Yet Russian forests are in peril as a result of illegal forestry practices and the weak rule of law. This analytical report gathers the best available information on the extent of illegal logging activities in Russian forests, and their economic and ecological impacts.

Other countries 30.7%

Germany 2.4%

Sweden 3.6% Indonesia 3.6% India 2.9% Finland 2.8%

USA 16.9%

Russian Federation 10.4%

Canada 8.4%

Brazil 8.6%

China 9.7%

Source: FAOSTAT.

Graph by Manana Kurtubadze, GRID-Arendal, 2015.

Figure 2: World's largest industrial producers of roundwood in 2013

1.61$

1.55$

75.9%

74.2%

64.1%

1.11$

51.3% 49.7%

0.91$

0.89$

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Public authority costs for forest management, billion USD Total forest revenues of the costs of forest management, %

Source: Rosleshoz .

Graph by Manana Kurtubadze, GRID-Arendal, 2015.

Figure 3: Total forest revenues as a percentage of forest management costs

9