Modern slavery presence and the environment are being increasingly linked (Bales 2016; Brown et al. 2019) - and the forestry sector in particular has been one of focus in recent times (see Jackson et al. 2020). Deforestation, illegal logging, illegal mining, and the infiltration of agri-business into forest areas has anecdotally been addressed with efforts being made to more quantitatively connect these issues.
Whilst finding these connections are key, efforts to address the impacts of modern slavery in the forest environment are also also vital, particularly when looking to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 15 ("Life on Land") addresses terrestrial ecosystems with targets 15.1 and 15.2 directly target forests.
In our latest paper we take a look at existing development and climate change mitigation project REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and discussion the intersection points that could be used to leverage antislavery tools and limit risk to both the environment and people. This is the first foray into the possible integration of training, awareness materials and targeted action which could see efficiencies in the conservation of the forest environment, mitigation of climate change, and the protection of vulnerable social groups in a way that would reduce modern slavery vulnerability in forest communities.
Thus the paper posits a possible policy gain that could be made to address modern slavery within forest environments using existing techniques, but bringing together disparate ideas and groups who may not have thought to collaborate before.
To access the full paper via Energy Research & Social Science see: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101610
References
Bales, K. (2016). Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Saving the Planet. Spiegel & Grau, New York.
Brown, D., Boyd, D.S., Brickell, K., Ives, C., Natarajan, N., and Parsons, L. (2019). Modern slavery, environmental degradation and climate change: Fisheries, field, forests and factories. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space.
Jackson, B., Decker Sparks, J.L., Brown, C., and Boyd, D.S. (2020). Understanding the co-occurrence of tree loss and modern slavery to improve efficacy of conservation actions and policies. Conservation Science and Practice.
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