32 Environmental Groups Call On Governor Hochul to Close New York’s Tropical Hardwood Loophole

ALBANY, NY – Today, a coalition of 32 climate, environment, human rights and sustainability organizations from New York and around the world sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to sign the Tropical Hardwood Loophole Closure bill (S.8851/A.9598) into law.

New York State purchases and uses lumber and wood products made from tropical hardwood species at the heart of the global deforestation crisis. In order to protect tropical forests and, by extension, their ability to protect against climate change, New York needs the Tropical Hardwood Loophole Closure bill to close loopholes in its outdated law and rules.

Current limits on purchasing tropical hardwood date to 1991 and leave critical tree species vulnerable to a poorly regulated global logging industry. The bill, which passed the legislature earlier this year and awaits the Governor’s signature, would close those loopholes.

The law will protect the environment, support New York businesses that offer locally sourced products, and save tax dollars by prioritizing more cost-effective procurement alternatives.

“Every tropical hardwood plank New York buys – too often logged illegally – comes from a forest that helps keep the climate stable,” said Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY. “New Yorkers feel the effects of that lost forest in every heat wave and storm surge, and we shouldn’t be paying for it with our tax dollars. Governor Hochul can end the state’s part in this by signing the bill and buying materials sourced closer to home.”

“For decades, our investigations have shown how poorly regulated tropical logging is destroying old growth rainforests around the world, fueling corruption, and driving conflict and rights violations against Indigenous communities,” said Rick Jacobsen, Senior Manager at the Environmental Investigation Agency. “We’ve seen time and again how illicitly-sourced tropical timber is laundered into U.S. supply chains. We applaud NY lawmakers for saying enough is enough and directing public money towards more sustainable building materials. Governor Hochul should sign this bill into law.”

“Due to loopholes in existing law, New York State’s procurement of tropical hardwoods contributes to the continued displacement, destruction and disregard for the Indigenous Peoples, wildlife, trees, and plants inhabiting tropical rainforests across our planet,” said Marcus Sibley, National Wildlife Federation’s NY Metro Director of Conservation Partnerships. “We call on Governor Hochul to fight for the preservation of our biodiversity by signing S.8851/A.9598, because more sustainable and ethical ways of doing business do exist.”

“This bill represents a simple yet powerful step towards reducing New York’s climate impact while strengthening our economy,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council. “With her signature, Governor Hochul can end New York’s procurement of tropical hardwoods and create new opportunities for responsible state and regional suppliers. With the effects of climate change upon us, we ask that our tax dollars not be spent on furthering this crisis.”

“I’ve worked for more than 30 years on closing the loopholes in the existing New York Tropical Hardwood law and this is truly a momentous opportunity,” said Tim Keating, Director of Rainforest Relief. “Our years-long campaigns targeting New York agencies like NYC Parks, NYC DOT and MTA were all due to the loophole that allowed continued use of the tropical hardwoods most targeted for decking, pilings and subway track ties. We call on Governor Hochul to step up for tropical forests, for the indigenous people being killed and displaced by loggers, and for the wildlife being wiped out to procure tropical hardwoods.”

“By signing this bill, Governor Hochul can help ensure that New York does its part to end global deforestation,” said Luciana Téllez Chávez, Senior Researcher and Forestry Lead at Human Rights Watch. “As an investigator, I have repeatedly documented how logging is often the first step in the destruction of thriving tropical forests, relying on poorly paid workers in dangerous conditions and irreversibly harming traditional communities whose cultures and livelihoods depend on their lands. None of this is inevitable, and this important bill can help break the cycle.”

“Tropical forests are a critical part of the global ecosystem that we all depend on for our very survival, and they are threatened like never before,” said Senator Liz Krueger, sponsor of the bill in the Senate. “New York State must take the lead in ensuring our procurement dollars are not driving logging in these tropical forests, exacerbating the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and threatening the rights, lands, and lives of Indigenous peoples. I urge the governor to sign this bill to close loopholes that have weakened our laws for far too long.”

“Tropical forests are the lungs of our planet, and we have spent too many years allowing tropical deforestation to undermine the health of the Earth. We not only lose trees, but their destruction generates enormous greenhouse gas emissions,” said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick,

sponsor of the bill in the Assembly. “New York State has existing regulations to limit our purchase of tropical hardwoods, but now more than ever, we need to strengthen them. This bill to close the Tropical Hardwood Loophole is critically important in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to protect the vital tropical forests that are key to the planet’s survival.”

The organizations included in this coalition include Environmental Advocates NY, Human Rights Watch, Environmental Investigation Agency, National Wildlife Federation, New York Sustainable Business Council, Rainforest Relief, Global Justice Ecology Project, Mighty Earth, Biodiversity Conservation Center, New York Public Interest Research Group, Climate Rights International, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, Scenic Hudson, Lower East Side Ecology Center, Earthjustice, Environmental Paper Network North America, Asociación ProPurús, Friends of the Earth U.S., Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith, Seatuck Environmental Association, Sisters of Mercy Justice Team, Friends of the Earth Sierra Leone, Onondaga Audubon, Brighter Green, WESPAC Foundation, Inc., Social Compassion in Legislation, Forests Forever, Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative, Community Food Advocates, NYC Bird Alliance, Citizens’ Climate Lobby of New York, and Endangered Species Coalition.

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Media Contact: Jessica Borbee, [email protected]