New support is being provided by the government to help reduce deforestation and improve the management of natural resources.

This will be used to promote partnerships between businesses and farmers in developing countries that will create multinational supply chains free from unsustainable deforestation.

Some £60 million has been allocated to The Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use initiative - a programme to encourage businesses to join the fight against deforestation.

It will help to create a number of innovative public-private partnerships with communities, local farmers, and local and international businesses.

In addition, a further £84 million has been pledged to the successful Forest Governance, Markets and Climate programme. This investment will support efforts to close the European Union market to illegally-harvested timber.

International development secretary Justine Greening said: "Investing in the better management of natural resources and putting a stop to deforestation is the smart thing to do." 

"British businesses are already leading the way in setting up long-term sustainable supply chains," she added.

Deforestation is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and affects people whose livelihoods depend on forests.