Legal frameworks and enforcement

Unclear legal frameworks governing land allocation, land use and forest conversion — and a lack of implementation of and compliance with these frameworks — are key underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries. These factors contribute to illegal land allocation and forest conversion, including for the expansion of commercial agriculture. 

Addressing these issues requires understanding of gaps and weaknesses of legal frameworks governing land allocation, land use and forest conversion. Independent monitoring of the implementation of relevant legal frameworks by non-state actors is fundamental to spurring governance reforms. Providing legal compliance incentives for forest and agriculture sector actors also supports deforestation-free commodity production and related trade, and promotes better land-use governance.

The work of the EU REDD Facility provides lessons and experiences in clarifying legal frameworks and incentives for compliance at subnational and national levels.