It raises serious concerns that FCAs are being abused to allow large-scale logging, while government authorities fail to act.

While allegations surrounding FCAs have increasingly made headlines, this marks the first ever report to provide an overview of FCAs, which account for one- third of all log exports from PNG

The report demystifies what Forest Clearing Authorities are, the rules around them and how they are working in practice.

It brings together analysis from individual case studies, that, when taken together show a really alarming picture for forests, communities and rule of law.

The report also points out that tropical forest experts were calling for FCAs to be halted as far back as 2011.

In 2023, the PNG Forest Authority announced a moratorium on the issuing of new FCA licences, yet no action has been taken since to stop existing projects.

As well as calling for immediate action by the government to suspend log exports, Act Now and Jubilee Australia are calling for criminal law enforcement agencies, commercial banks, the diplomatic community and aid agencies and overseas timber buyers to take action.

The PNGFA has repeatedly shown itself incapable of controlling the issues of forest crime and illegal logging.

It is therefore essential that other agencies, both in PNG and overseas, step up to stop the continued illegal logging of our forests and associated crimes including money laundering and human rights abuses.

Ninety percent of PNG log exports go to China, so it is particularly important for China to act.

Summary of recommendations in the report:

The Government to suspend all log exports from FCA areas until an independent, transparent and public inquiry into the legality of all existing FCA licences and logging operations has been completed.

The National Forest Board to extend the moratorium on new FCA licences until a full government inquiry has been conducted and any recommendations have been implemented and to publish the findings of the completed audits of FCA projects.

The fraud squad, UNODC and Interpol to identify the criminal laws that may have been broken in the submission and approval of fraudulent FCA applications.

Commercial banks to identify any customers linked to FCA logging operations and ensure full compliance with all anti money laundering regulations and bank environmental and social responsibility policies

The diplomatic community and aid agencies to support the PNG government to implement a review of all existing FCA licences and action the inquiry recommendations. Assist the PNGFA to establish a public register of all timber harvesting operations as provided under S.103A of the Forestry Act.

Overseas timber buyers to ensure any unprocessed logs, sawn timber and timber products purchased from PNG are independently verified as coming from a valid, legally approved and sustainably managed source.