The Environment and Development Ministers of the G8 countries, with the European Commissioners responsible for environment and development, the EU Presidency and senior officials from the United Nations, World Bank and IUCN-The World Conservation Union met from 17-18 March 2005 in Derbyshire, to address illegal logging and the impact of climate change on African development.

Prior to the meeting, a consultation with civil society representatives was also held. At the conclusion of the two-day meeting, Ministers adopted a statement of commitments and priority actions.
On illegal logging, Ministers agreed that working to tackle illegal logging is an important step towards the sustainable management of forests and sustainable development, and recognized the impacts that illegal logging, and associated trade and corruption have on environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate systems. Ministers also committed to a range of different actions, including: assisting timber producing countries by increasing support to existing forest law enforcement and governance processes and extending this support to other regions; increasing support to producer countries in their efforts to tackle illegal logging and associated trade; sharing technical knowledge, helping develop tools and building the capacity to apply them to detect and prevent illegal logging and apprehend and prosecute offenders; taking steps to halt the import and marketing of illegally logged timber; taking actions to control illegal logging and associated trade, including wildlife trafficking, through bilateral and regional trade-related arrangements, consistent with WTO rules; and encouraging, adopting or extending public timber procurement policies that favor legal timber. Ministers also requested an expert meeting in 2006 to review progress towards the commitments made, to share lessons on actions to tackle illegal logging, and to make findings available.
On climate change in Africa, Ministers noted that African countries are particularly vulnerable to climate variability and climate change and, like many developing countries, are already experiencing more frequent dangerous climate effect. They agreed that urgent action to help the vulnerable adapt to climate change is necessary to ensure that climate impacts do not undermine the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Ministers also agreed that further international action is required to address climate change and reaffirmed their commitment to show leadership in international efforts to tackle climate change and assist vulnerable countries in coping with the impacts of climate change. They also recognized the need for increasing access to reliable and affordable energy services for the poor in Africa, particularly from renewable and energy efficient sources. Ministers also committed to supporting an effective international response: to help Africa understand and manage climate risk by building scientific and technical capacity in Africa; for multilateral development agencies to develop and implement ‘best practice’ guidelines for screening Africa’s climate risks within development portfolios; and to integrate measures to address the impacts of climate change for Africa in international development assistance and facilitate their integration in regional and national development plans.
Links to more information
G8 Ministerial outcome
G8 Environment and Development Ministers Agree Action on Illegal Logging and Put Climate Change in Africa on Agenda for G8 Heads, DEFRA/DFID joint news release, 18 March 2005
G8 Gleneagles 2005