Solomon Islands

Forest context

The Solomon Islands are characterised by extensive tropical forest landscapes that support biodiversity, ecosystem services and rural livelihoods. Forest and land-use dynamics are shaped by logging, agricultural commodity production and mining, alongside subsistence agriculture and customary land management. The timber sector is critical to the economy, accounting for around 70% of the country’s export revenues and providing employment for around 20% of the population. However, it’s also the main driver of forest degradation and deforestation: between 2000 and 2020, the Solomon Islands lost 18,410 hectares of forest and timber volumes in most production forest areas were severely depleted. The Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act is currently under revision and there are hopes that the revised act will help to balance timber production with environmental protection and social needs.

Our approach

EFI supports the Solomon Islands in strengthening forest governance and monitoring, with a focus on reinforcing stakeholder engagement in policy and regulatory reforms, forest sector monitoring, and regulatory enforcement. Our work contributes to enhancing forest sector policies and regulations, strengthening forest monitoring capacities, and exploring alternative economic pathways for the forest sector, including in relation to carbon markets.

EFI works with the Ministry of Forestry and Research and other government agencies, local communities, civil society and other stakeholders in the Solomon Islands to build understanding and capacity to enhance forest governance and national systems for sustainable forest management through inclusive dialogue. Through technical assistance and multi-stakeholder engagement, EFI contributes to improved governance, effective monitoring, and sustainable forest-based economic production.