Why forests matter

Urgent action on climate change is imperative. The 2022 IPCC report warns that we only have two decades left to drastically cut carbon emissions to avert an environmental disaster.

Limiting the average global temperature increase to 1.5°C is impossible without trees playing a major role. At COP26, the landmark Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use – in which 141 countries committed to collectively end forest loss and land degradation by 2030 – inexplicitly tied forests to the fight against climate change.

Eliminating emissions from deforestation and increasing carbon removals by promoting agroforestry and landscape restoration could reduce global net emissions by 30%. Over the next decade, forests could provide up to 50% of the cost-effective mitigation available.

Right now, the planet desperately needs nature-based solutions. In this special feature, we curate CIFOR-ICRAF’s latest research, knowledge and initiatives on trees and forests.