19 forest policies have been nominated for an award by the World Future Council, a global think tank.
The policies come from 16 countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Finland, Gambia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Norway, Rwanda, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States of America and Vietnam. Nominations were made by various international organizations, including UN agencies.
The contest aims to raise awareness of the policies and accelerate policy action.
“Winners will represent the most inspiring, innovative and influential forest policies which contribute to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations,” said the World Future Council in a statement.
The awards will be announced September 21. The jury includes Jan McAlpine, Director, United Nations Forum on Forests; Professor Marie Claire Cordonier Segger, Director, Center for International Sustainable Development Law; Jakob von Uexkull, Chair, World Future Council and Right Livelihood Award; Tewolde Berhan Egziabher, Director General, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia; and Pauline Tangiora, Maori elder from the Rongomaiwahine tribe, among others.
It was not immediately clear whether policy enforcement will be a factor in determining the winner. Several of the recognized forest policies have been undermined by lack of enforcement. Nepal, India, and Brazil have seen substantial deforestation since their nominated policies were enacted.
