Transparency International’s Forest Governance & Integrity Programme (FGI) tackles corruption as a primary driver of illegal logging and poor forest management. The Programme aims to address corruption at all stages in the timber production chain and examines how it facilitates the unsustainable harvesting, production, conversion, export, import and procurement of timber and wood products. The scope of the Programme takes in countries engaged in the supply side of the forest products trade as well as those on the demand side.

Forests are the key to environmental well-being. Their degradation is a pressing social, economic and environmental challenge, affecting the daily lives of millions of people. The importance of forests has long been recognised, yet even after years of advocacy from local and global pressure groups the illegal harvesting of timber continues to thrive on the back of corrupt behaviour and opaque systems. Transparency International recognises that these problems of systemic corruption must be addressed. The movement’s extensive experience, global reach and local commitment bring great potential to improve forest governance.

A society where corruption-free forest governance and sustainable management enable increased economic development, poverty reduction and environmental protection.