During the 30th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commision held in Sidney (Australia), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) launched a new global project aimed at addressing the critical issue of deforestation, while also highlighting the transformative role that agriculture supply chains can play as a solution.

Over the course of three years, from October 2023 to September 2026,  the "Building Global Capacity on Halting Deforestation and Conversions from Agricultural Commodities" (BiG-CHANCE) project sets out to harmonize the agricultural and forestry sectors to achieve climate, biodiversity, land degradation, and sustainable development targets.

In the face of halting global deforestation and forest degradation contributing to tackle quadruple crisis on climate, livelihood, biodiversity and food security, there is a growing urgency for innovative approaches that bridge the gap between economic development and environmental conservation, with a special focus on managing trade-offs between agriculture and forestry and promoting a transformation of the agrifood systems. Despite numerous commitments and initiatives from both public and private sectors, the persistent pace of deforestation underscores the need for more comprehensive and coordinated strategies.

With financial support from the Government of Japan, this collaborative project emerges as a catalyst for positive change, seeking to reshape the discourse on deforestation through a multi-faceted approach.

"In the journey to address deforestation and mitigate climate change, we're breaking new ground by showcasing that agriculture can be a formidable ally in our fight against deforestation, driving positive change through sustainable practices”, said  Zhimin Wu, Director of the FAO’s Forestry Division.

Tetsuo Tanimoto, Director of the International Forestry Cooperation Office, Planning Division, Forestry Agency, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan said: "The collaboration between FAO and the Government of Japan exemplifies our commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time – halting deforestation Through this project, we hope to set an example for effective international cooperation in promoting sustainable agriculture and forest management."

Supporting countries to change approach

The project will focus on a number of key areas including:

• Empowering policy frameworks and analytical tools

Central to the project's innovation is the development and application of analytical frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of policy measures intended to halt deforestation. These frameworks are designed to transcend the boundaries of individual countries and empower governments with data-driven insights to guide policy formulation. By assessing policy coherence and cost-effectiveness, the project aims to provide decision-makers with actionable intelligence, fostering informed choices that will resonate across sectors.

The development and utilization of these analytical frameworks serves as a proactive step towards addressing the complexity of deforestation. This approach draws on the collective experience gained of REDD+ actions designed to reduce deforestation. It acknowledges that the challenge requires a multi-dimensional approach that goes beyond superficial solutions. By examining policy measures' holistic impact, governments can unlock pathways to comprehensive solutions that consider the broader implications of their actions with meaningful impact.

• Unveiling the toolkit for deforestation-free supply chains

A pivotal component of the project is the development of an extensive toolkit designed to empower governments to foster forest-positive agricultural supply chains. This toolkit is poised to reshape decision-making by offering governments solutions, guidance, and technical support in uncoupling agricultural commodities from deforestation. Drawing from both existing best practices and the analytical frameworks developed in the project, the toolkit will provide governments with a menu for solutions and tools towards sustainable agricultural practices.

What sets this toolkit apart is its adaptability and inclusiveness. It acknowledges the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by governments across regions and contexts. By offering solutions that would be accessible globally from e-based materials, the toolkit caters to governments seeking to navigate the intricacies of deforestation challenges specific to their circumstances. Moreover, the toolkit integrates considerations of gender equality and social inclusion, recognizing the interplay between these factors and the effectiveness of sustainable agriculture and forest-positive policies.

• Sharing knowledge, amplifying impact

Acknowledging the power of shared knowledge, the FAO-MAFF project will develop a Toolkit of practical options for governments to decouple commodities from deforestation, and linked two focused e-learning courses, bolstering understanding in key areas of combating deforestation and advancing sustainable agriculture. These courses equip individuals with valuable tools for informed decision-making and effective action.

In parallel, regional consultation workshops will facilitate and promote knowledge exchange, enabling producer countries to provide contributions to the products, share insights and successful strategies in addressing deforestation within their contexts. These workshops prioritize collaborative learning, fostering innovative ideas and cross-border partnerships to amplify impact. The workshops will ensure that the knowledge products developed within the project are valuable and beneficial to governments.

Moreover, the project is poised to facilitate global knowledge sharing and south-south exchanges, harnessing the potential of collaboration and partnerships with other FAO-led REDD+ initiatives. In Africa, the project will strengthen regional collaboration by partnering with the UN-REDD initiative on reducing agriculture-led forest loss. Furthermore, the project will work towards amplifying global knowledge capacities on agriculture-forestry linkages through collaboration with the UN Food Systems Summit's Forests and Food Systems Coalition.

Importantly, the project's knowledge-sharing approach embraces gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring diverse perspectives contribute to policy decisions that span boundaries, uniting voices in a collective endeavor to tackle global deforestation.

Towards a forest positive future

As the FAO-MAFF project takes its first steps, it stands as a testament to the potential of global knowledge and e-based tool development in shaping a sustainable future. This initiative aligns with FAO's Strategic Framework for 2022-2031, which places a focus on transforming agrifood systems towards greater sustainability. By providing governments with the tools, knowledge, exchange, and support required to tackle deforestation head-on, the project endeavors to foster agricultural practices that coexist harmoniously with the environment.

“The new project aims to empower countries to move to a more multidimensional approach to ending deforestation, recognizing its intricate interconnections with the agricultural sector, said Serena Fortuna, FAO Senior Forestry Officer, who is leading the project from FAO’s side. “The project aims to create win-win solutions for all parties involved including by leveraging REDD+ strategies, Nationally Determined Contributions and national pathways for food systems transformation”, she added.

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