CHALLENGE

APPROACH

PROFOR is applying NetMap, a collaborative analysis tool, to understand and build consensus around effective strategies to combat illegal logging in Russia’s Far East. As the illegal timber trade involves a complex network of Chinese and Russian actors, this work will bring together key stakeholders from both sides of the border. Through a series of participatory mapping workshops focusing on key actors, their roles and relative power, this work will generate a shared understanding of the problem and possible solutions. As well as providing insight and options for addressing the illegal timber trade between Russia and China, this work is of broader academic interest, as it will be the first time Net-Map has been used to address a cross-boundary issue.

Through this project, PROFOR is explicitly focusing on the role of networks, connections and power analysis in generating collaborative solutions to promote the legal trade in timbers. By adopting a participatory, people-centered approach to problem analysis and identification of entry points for reform, the work aims to build momentum and consensus around realistic actions.

The team also recognizes the importance of securing support for forest conservation by engaging both China and Russia in relation to their national interest. Motivating factors such as the loss of revenue impact on local livelihoods and forgone customs income and threats to timber export revenues are acknowledged as drivers for participation in the process.

Initial consultations with Russian and Chinese stakeholders have revealed a high degree of interest in this work as a means to learn from each other and as a step towards developing collaborative solutions. It has also highlighted the sensitivity around this issue, particularly in the context of recent political developments and increasing sense of isolation in Russia. Currently, additional steps are being negotiated to allow for internal workshop processes prior to cross-border workshops to address client reservations regarding a fully collaborative process.

The participatory, iterative mapping process directly addresses known barriers to combating the region’s illegal timber trade – namely poor communication and lack of collaboration between the two countries. The reluctance of both states to engage in collaborative workshops immediately, highlight the challenges to be overcome. The anticipated improvements in dialogue and transparency have the potential to increase the effectiveness of efforts to reduce illegal logging and improve cross boundary forest management in the longer term.

RESULTS

This activity is ongoing. Findings will be shared on this page when they become available.

For stories and updates on related activities ,follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates.

CHALLENGE

Russian Far East forest is one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, containing valuable timber species and habitat of rare Amur tigers. However, timber trade (and often times illegal logging) to satiate Chinese and subsequently international timber demand is straining the region’s ecosystem, causing irreversible ecological, economic and social consequences. The full impact of illegal logging on government revenues and on the livelihoods of local communities is uncertain (refer to Methodology for Calculating Budget Losses and Local Revenue Impacts of Illegal Logging); however, the Forest Agency of the Russian Federation estimated the damage for 2013 at $320.2 million.

Due to the complex economic, political and legal makeups of this cross-border problem, illegal logging has been persistent and escalating. Thus, having an understanding of the political economy of the forest sector in this region is the crucial first step toward sustainable forest management. The second step would be to stimulate discussion between Russian and Chinese authorities; and collectively design a common long term strategy with realistic, accountable, measureable goals.

APPROACH

This activity demonstrates the application of an innovative stakeholder mapping methods – Net-Map – as both an empirical research tool and a development instrument for project design and implementation. Net-Map visualizes the complex timber trade network through interviewing diverse groups of forest stakeholders. These participatory workshops elicit the complex maps of actors, their relationships (both formal and informal), actors’ goals and incentives as well as their influences. Using social network approaches, the governance network is analyzed and the rich discussion during the workshop adds to the understanding of the structure and function of the network as well as actors. 

This project explicitly focuses on the role of networks, connections and power analysis in generating collaborative solutions to promote the legal trade in timbers. By adopting a participatory, people-centered approach to problem analysis and identification of entry points for reform, the work aims to build momentum and consensus around realistic actions.

RESULTS

This activity is ongoing. Findings will be shared on this page when they become available. For stories and updates on related activities, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates.

CHALLENGE

Russian Far East forest is one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, containing valuable timber species and habitat of rare Amur tigers. However, timber trade (and often times illegal logging) to satiate Chinese and subsequently international timber demand is straining the region’s ecosystem, causing irreversible ecological, economic and social consequences. The full impact of illegal logging on government revenues and on the livelihoods of local communities is uncertain (refer to Methodology for Calculating Budget Losses and Local Revenue Impacts of Illegal Logging); however, the Forest Agency of the Russian Federation estimated the damage for 2013 at $320.2 million.

Due to the complex economic, political and legal makeups of this cross-border problem, illegal logging has been persistent and escalating. Thus, having an understanding of the political economy of the forest sector in this region is the crucial first step toward sustainable forest management. The second step would be to stimulate discussion between Russian and Chinese authorities; and collectively design a common long term strategy with realistic, accountable, measureable goals.

APPROACH

This activity demonstrates the application of an innovative stakeholder mapping methods – Net-Map – as both an empirical research tool and a development instrument for project design and implementation. Net-Map visualizes the complex timber trade network through interviewing diverse groups of forest stakeholders. These participatory workshops elicit the complex maps of actors, their relationships (both formal and informal), actors’ goals and incentives as well as their influences. Using social network approaches, the governance network is analyzed and the rich discussion during the workshop adds to the understanding of the structure and function of the network as well as actors. 

This project explicitly focuses on the role of networks, connections and power analysis in generating collaborative solutions to promote the legal trade in timbers. By adopting a participatory, people-centered approach to problem analysis and identification of entry points for reform, the work aims to build momentum and consensus around realistic actions.

RESULTS

This activity is ongoing. Findings will be shared on this page when they become available. For stories and updates on related activities, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates.

CHALLENGE

Russian Far East forest is one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, containing valuable timber species and habitat of rare Amur tigers. However, timber trade (and often times illegal logging) to satiate Chinese and subsequently international timber demand is straining the region’s ecosystem, causing irreversible ecological, economic and social consequences. The full impact of illegal logging on government revenues and on the livelihoods of local communities is uncertain (refer to Methodology for Calculating Budget Losses and Local Revenue Impacts of Illegal Logging); however, the Forest Agency of the Russian Federation estimated the damage for 2013 at $320.2 million.

Due to the complex economic, political and legal makeups of this cross-border problem, illegal logging has been persistent and escalating. Thus, having an understanding of the political economy of the forest sector in this region is the crucial first step toward sustainable forest management. The second step would be to stimulate discussion between Russian and Chinese authorities; and collectively design a common long term strategy with realistic, accountable, measureable goals.

APPROACH

This activity demonstrates the application of an innovative stakeholder mapping methods – Net-Map – as both an empirical research tool and a development instrument for project design and implementation. Net-Map visualizes the complex timber trade network through interviewing diverse groups of forest stakeholders. These participatory workshops elicit the complex maps of actors, their relationships (both formal and informal), actors’ goals and incentives as well as their influences. Using social network approaches, the governance network is analyzed and the rich discussion during the workshop adds to the understanding of the structure and function of the network as well as actors. 

This project explicitly focuses on the role of networks, connections and power analysis in generating collaborative solutions to promote the legal trade in timbers. By adopting a participatory, people-centered approach to problem analysis and identification of entry points for reform, the work aims to build momentum and consensus around realistic actions.

RESULTS

This activity is ongoing. Findings will be shared on this page when they become available. For stories and updates on related activities, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.

CHALLENGE

With over 60 million hectares (ha) of natural forests - slightly more than half of the country's land area - Colombia is considered heavily forested. The country's average annual deforestation rate is 280,000 hectares over the last decade (~0.5%). Native forests currently represent the main source of wood and fiber for communities and local industries.

Colombia has enormous potential for developing commercial reforestation programs, for several reasons:

• Excellent conditions for tree growth;
• 17 millions hectares of land potentially suitable for commercial reforestation (World Forest Investment, 2012); 
• Geographically well-positioned for exporting forest products, with access along Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
• Increasingly favorable business climate, ranked 5th in terms of “Ease of doing business” (IFC, The World Bank, 2013);
• Growing demand for timber, pulp and paper, which used to be met primarily by natural forests, but it is now recognized that a diverse supply is needed, including through the development of planted forests.

However, commercial forestry in Colombia is still in very early stages of development. Recent estimates indicate that only around 300,000 ha are currently under commercial plantations, which is strikingly low compared to some of its neighbors, such as Chile (2.3 million ha), Argentina (1.4 million ha) and Uruguay (1 million ha). This situation is mainly due to decades of insecurity, which has discouraged development in rural areas and dampened investors’ interests.

Yet, with tremendous progress being made toward the consolidation of peace, this situation is likely to change rapidly. The development of commercial forestry is highly featured on the Government of Colombia's agenda for rural areas, and is identified as one of the pillars for economic growth and employment under the National Development Plan “Prosperidad para Todos 2011-2014.”         

APPROACH

This PROFOR activity aims to support the Government of Colombia’s efforts to define the most appropriate model for commercial reforestation, developed in an economically profitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly way.

This activity was implemented in two phases: The first phase mainly consisted of analytical work targeted on four strategic areas: (i) zoning of the most promising areas for commercial reforestation; (ii) value chain analysis; (iii) institutional and policy framework; and (iv) transportation infrastructure. The second phase consisted of in-depth studies based on outcomes of the diagnosis exercise.

RESULTS

The diagnostic analysis mostly confirmed the anticipated technical issues and the relevance of the four strategic areas. Key elements to be covered under the in-depth studies were discussed with many stakeholders as part of the diagnostic process.

Sustainable reforestation is also receiving more and more attention across Latin America; this work was featured in an article in El País and in a PROFOR blog.

The final study identified a number of key findings, among them:

• Forestry’s total contribution to Colombia's national GDP has dropped, from 1.4% in 2005 to 1.1% in 2014.
• Consumption of wood products has increased steadily, but this has not resulted in an increase of national added value in forestry and primary processing.
• Increased demand for wood products has largely been met by imports, not Colombian industries.
• Colombia's productive commercial plantation area ranges between 340,000 and 360,000 ha.
• A dedicated institutional framework is crucial for the promotion of the commercial plantation sector.

Outcomes from this activity have gained great visibility within the Colombian Government, and are also highly relevant for the World Bank's portfolio. International climate-related financing through the BioCarbon Fund has been made available to Colombia, and the government has confirmed that it would like to target this support in the Orinoquia region, where commercial plantations could be a key element.