The future of Southeast Asia's forests
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Land grabs, illegal logging and human rights violations. These are often what makes international headlines when discussing Cambodia's forests and it is what frustrates Eang Sophalleth, the country's environment minister, the most.
The man behind multiple initiatives to get more citizens to reject single-use plastic, clear Cambodia's rivers of rubbish and plant a million tree saplings to expand its forest cover, is upfront about how he hopes these high-visibility campaigns can spruce up Cambodia's image. "Clean individual mindsets. Clean the environment. Clean people's perceptions of Cambodia on the world stage," he told Eco-Business of his ministry's objectives in an exclusive interview – his first with a foreign media outlet.?
To be frank, there is a sense of unease sitting with the minister in his Phnom Penh office, listening to campaign slogans and promises about wanting to be tough with loggers who run afoul of the law. Civil society groups have expressed scepticism over whether the expansion of protected areas or a major reforestation drive can really save Cambodia's fast-diminishing forests.
Corruption is still a serious problem in the country; and the minister takes a no-nonsense approach towards activism. Yet, there is an urge to want to hear him out – Cambodia's been through genocide and decades of civil strife, said Sophalleth, and is on a different development trajectory. It needs more time if real change is to happen.?
Increasingly, the courts are where genuine victories for nature are being won in the region. This week, Malaysia's highest court ruled that two civil society organisations can appeal against the degazettement of a forest reserve by the Selangor state government. In an op-ed, regional correspondent Samantha Ho mulls over what community buy-in and informed consent for forest-based carbon projects should look like.
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At the heart of a series of high-visibility initiatives is the political leadership's desire to change international perception, said Eang Sophalleth.
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The palm oil giant has only identified one of two auditors who will be tracking progress against the goals set in its US$217 million loan.
Campaigners scored a small win for forest protection in Malaysia with the ruling on a contested 20-year backdated degazettement of a forest reserve.
Activists called on the city-state’s government negotiators to lobby for bold policy interventions by pushing for a tax on producers and a more transparent supply chain.
Enshrining free, prior and informed consent in Malaysian law can improve the credibility of carbon projects. In the meantime, carbon conversations must include Indigenous voices and wisdom.
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