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International audience; The European forest-based bioeconomy is affected by a huge number of policy instruments. Different policies affect distinct stages of the forest-based value chain (and its respective sub-sectors) in different ways. Diversification processes, as part of a cross-sectoral bioeconomy, increase this complexity. (i) Several policies address trade-offs between economic profitability/competitiveness and social and environmental sustainability. The latter is of particular importance as the forest-based bioeconomy is dependent on forest ecosystem goods and services produced on one third of the territory of the EU where many of these areas are subject to contradicting societal demands. This raises the general question in how far policies can transform trade-offs into synergies. (ii) Implementation (and related impacts) of policies affecting the European forest based bioeconomy are not necessarily straightforward. Many EU policies represent conflicting goals where priorities are only defined during the transposition, implementation and enforcement by Member States.

This report presents the results of the fifth global scientific assessment undertaken by the GFEP initiative. The report set out to gain deeper understanding of the meaning of illegal logging and related timber trade, its scale, drivers and consequences. It provides a structured synthesis of available scientific and expert knowledge on illegal logging and associated timber trade while adding to existing studies and reports by sharing new insights, including a criminology perspective and new information about timber and timber product trade flows as well as exploring future policy options and governance responses. This assessment report and the accompanying policy brief provide an authoritative source of information for policymakers and stakeholders involved in the fight against illegal logging and associated timber trade, in order to support effective action in tackling this pressing global problem.