Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Toolbox

Reducing Deforestation

This module is intended for forest and land managers and stakeholders in all sectors involved in joint efforts to reduce deforestation. It provides specific guidance on the analysis of deforestation drivers and how to address them at different scales, and what forest managers can do within their spheres of influence and control. Readers may find it helpful to read this module in conjunction with the Reducing Forest Degradation module. 

The role of supply-chain initiatives in reducing deforestation
10 December 2019
A major reduction in global deforestation is needed to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. Recent private sector commitments aim to eliminate deforestation from a company’s operations or supply chain, but they fall short on several fronts. Company pledges vary in the degree to which they include time-bound interventions with...
State of Mediterranean Forests 2018
05 December 2019
The State of Mediterranean Forests 2018 analyzes the circum- Mediterranean region, a territory encompassing thirty-one countries and a wide range of political, economic, social and environmental contexts. Today, human activity has placed substantial pressure on this environment, the impact of which is felt differently in the northern, southern and eastern...
Reforestation, afforestation, deforestation, climate change and gender
27 October 2017
Deforestation affects climate change because it releases the carbon stored in the plants and soils and alters the physical properties of the surface. Tropical ecosystems are the most productive, and changes to them are likely to have the greatest impact on climate change. Models predict that their loss will have a...
Achieving zero deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon: What is missing?
16 September 2016
Amazon deforestation causes severe climatic and ecological disruptions, with negative consequences for the livelihood of forest-dependent peoples. To avoid further disruptions, Brazil will need to take bold steps to eliminate both illegal and legal Amazon deforestation over the short term. Amazon deforestation declined by 70% between 2005 and 2014 due...
REDD+ and the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation
25 April 2016
Key underlying causes identified in the 2010 report ‘Getting to the Roots: Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation, and drivers of forest restoration,’ included: persistently high demand for wood; spiralling demand for land for plantations and other forms of agriculture; conflict over land tenure; industrialisation, urbanisation and infrastructure; poor...
Landscape transformation in tropical Latin America - Assessing trends and policy implications for REDD+
25 April 2016
Important transformations are underway in tropical landscapes in Latin America with implications for economic development and climate change. Landscape transformation is driven not only by national policies and markets, but also by global market dynamics associated with an increased role for transnational traders and investors. National and global trends affect...
Addressing agricultural drivers of deforestation in Colombia - Increasing land-based production while reducing deforestation, forest degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and rural poverty
25 April 2016
Colombia has an excellent opportunity to develop a national land-use strategy over the next two or three years that is supported by government, the private sector, and civil society. The likelihood of success of this strategy will be enhanced through a sustained, orchestrated commitment from donor nations that helps to maintain momentum...
How are REDD+ proponents addressing tenure problems? Evidence from Brazil, Cameroon, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Vietnam
04 November 2014
This paper assesses proponent activities to address tenure insecurity in light of actions required for effective and equitable implementation of REDD+. Field research was carried out at 19 REDD+ project sites and 71 villages in Brazil, Cameroon, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Results show proponents addressed tenure insecurity by demarcating village...