Connecting EU timber operators to tropical deforestation-linked timber

Aidenvironment has recently finalized a study for the environmental law charity ClientEarth on the EU timber market. The study is part of a wider project on the role of timber operators in forest governance, in the framework of two tools to combat illegal logging: Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The study ultimately aims to inform on whether these tools are still “fit for purpose”.

Aidenvironment identified over 600 EU timber operators, which refers to any entity that places timber or timber products for the first time on the EU market. These can be both domestic timber operators as well as importing timber operators. Through elaborate analysis, Aidenvironment found links between several EU timber operators and imports of tropical timber, which seem to be linked to illegal logging and deforestation activities.

For more information please contact Joana Faggin or Sarah Drost