A significant cause of deforestation is the repurposing of forested land for agricultural activities.  The session explores methods of reducing negative impacts coming from forest land-use change.  It will seek to question complex legal frameworks surrounding conversion of forest land through analysis of different legal sectors. Concluding that these are often incoherent, inadequate or contradictory and therefore unenforced.  The session will consequently scrutinize the effects on forest coverage, tenure conflicts and loss of livelihoods among communities dependent on the forest.  In West Africa, ClientEarth has run workshops, training and events with various stakeholders, to drive informed participation in legal reform processes.