Lead agencies: FAO, CBD Secretariat, UNFF
Timeframe: 2024-2025
Contribution to the GFGs: 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
This joint initiative aims to assist countries in understanding the role of conservation and sustainable use of forests in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goals and targets and the interlinkages of the Global Forest Goals and other forest-related instruments. The issue of biodiversity conservation, halting deforestation and forest degradation is a priority for this joint initiative, given the potential of natural and planted forests in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Biodiversity mainstreaming involves integrating biodiversity considerations into the policies and practices of key public and private actors to ensure its conservation and sustainable use. Specifically, mainstreaming biodiversity in forestry means incorporating biodiversity concerns into daily forest management to achieve optimal outcomes that balance economic benefits, ecosystem services, and biodiversity conservation.
The importance of forests in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The first deliverable of this joint initiative is the publication The forest factor: The role of protection, restoration and sustainable management of forests for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, presented during Forest and Water Day at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16). The report underscores the essential role of forest biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in achieving the KMGBF goals.
The CPF report, led by the Convention on Biological Diversity, tackles global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development and presents solutions for reversing deforestation and degradation and enhancing the health of forest ecosystems. Practical policy recommendations and pathways are identified for stakeholders to help them align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Forests need more attention
Forests, covering 31% of Earth's surface, are vital for livelihoods, providing wood and non-wood products, for biodiversity, and regulating carbon, water, and energy cycles. Despite their importance, they face growing threats from climate change, deforestation, species exploitation, and unsustainable use of forest resources. These challenges hinder progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goals and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests. The report stresses the need for stronger forest management, restoration efforts, and their integration into National Biodiversity Strategies, noting that forests often receive less attention compared to other ecosystems.
