Vital Forest Graphics

plus annual losses in government rev- enues of about US$5 billion (World Bank 2006). However, the clandestine nature of such illegal trade makes it very difficult to estimate its true scale and value (UNFF 2004c). Looking forward… In today’s globalized world, the impacts of growing and changing patterns of consumption and production of forest products, combined with changes in forest management, are rapidly trans- mitted from one region to another (UNFF 2004c). Environmental stan- dards and international regulations – either in legally-binding form or merely laid down as voluntary agree- ments – governing the management of forests have recently become more strict and this has had an impact on the international market for forest prod- ucts. While the overall price of forest raw materials has dropped, the price of certified timber has increased. Concerns over unsustainable for- estry practices have led to the creation of certification schemes – market- based mechanisms which aim to pro- mote environmentally sustainable and

socially responsible forestry practices. While market demand for certified tim- ber has led big firms to adapt to certi- fication principles and criteria, this has not been possible for many small land- owners and community-based forestry enterprises. As a consequence, such enterprises have often found they are excluded from international markets for certified timber and their activi- ties become restricted to less profitable domestic sales. International trade can foster eco- nomic development and create incen- tives for sustainable forestmanagement. Equitable access to well-functioning markets can promote sustainable resource management and contribute to poverty alleviation, rural develop- ment and the strengthening of forest- based communities. As the global trade in forest products continues to grow, it is important that policies are created and enforced which guarantee trade is not linked to unsustainable resource depletion and illegal practices. If such a course is followed, then trade and sustainable development can become mutually supportive.

Wood products rise

Trends in commodity prices

Global wood consumption

Kg of wood consumed per capita in 2004

)PSSPVU <:

800

Index 100 in 1985

13

300

North America

700

11

Tropical logs

7YPTHY` MVYLZ[ WYVK\J[Z

600

Plywood

Oceania

9

Central America & Caribbean

200

South America

500

Africa

Mineral, ores and metal Agricultural raw products

7

Europe

400

:LJVUKHY` [YHUZMVYTLK MVYLZ[ WYVK\J[Z

Southeast

5

Asia

300

100

South Asia

East Asia

200

3

Tropical beverages

Western

100

Asia

Central

1 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

-200

Asia

2007 2005

2005

1985

0

Source: FAO 2007.

Source: UNCTAD 2008.

Source: FAO 2008a.

VITAL FOREST GRAPHICS 29