Modern Slavery as a Threat to Forests: Reviewing the Links between Modern Slavery, Deforestation, and Potential Solutions

JACKSON, BETHANY

Abstract

Modern slavery is a growing concern within the developmental space. There are an estimated 40.3 million people subjected to experiences of modern slavery according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), with 15-30% of those being linked to environmental activities (e.g., fishing, agriculture, forestry, mining and quarrying). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline the need for both the ending of modern slavery (SDG target 8.7) and the protection of forest environments (SDG 15.2). Present thoughts around linking these two seemingly disparate social-ecological issues is beginning to draw the bi-directional links between modern slavery and the environment within the framing of the modern slavery-environmental degradation-climate change nexus.

In addressing the nexus, forest environments have been at the forefront of our understanding due to the many reported links between modern slavery and deforestation. This chapter outlines the connections between modern slavery and deforestation, highlighting those issues that are faced by communities, within and close to the natural resources protected by the forest, and solutions for the protection of both people and nature. A review of the previous literature and commonalities within both the antislavery and environmental literatures are drawn together to provide insight into the current knowledge, and additional understanding into the novel applications of methods to assess the nexus. The modern slavery-deforestation connection is outlined in detailed for four different sectors and geographies, demonstrating the scope of the co-occurrence: cattle ranching in Brazil, illegal logging in Russia, palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia, and mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Finally, a call for action is made which addresses the need for cooperation and collaboration between environmental and conservation organisations, and those which work to address modern slavery. The risks posed from deforestation are inherently linked to the vulnerabilities of modern slavery for individuals and communities. In order to support the achievement of the SDGs (both 8.7 and 15.2) policy actions will need to centre the ending of modern slavery for the good of society and the environment. This follows trends for centring the issue in the development sector, within the conservation space. Areas for possible policy integration are identified and solutions noted (such as the EU’s mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) law).

Citation

JACKSON, B. (2021). Modern Slavery as a Threat to Forests: Reviewing the Links between Modern Slavery, Deforestation, and Potential Solutions. In J. A. Daniels (Ed.), Advances in Environmental Research. Volume 84. Nova Science Publishers. https://doi.org/10.52305/GQSU4556

• Acceptance Date: Sep 2, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 21, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 8, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 12, 2021
• Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
• Series Title: Advances in Environmental Research
• Series Number: 84
• Book Title: Advances in Environmental Research. Volume 84
• Chapter Number: 1
• ISBN: 9781685073299
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/GQSU4556
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6296966
• Publisher URL: https://novapublishers.com/shop/advances-in-environmental-research-volume-84/