Forest pathways have the potential to provide decentralized solutions that are highly cost-effective and can be implemented comparatively rapidly and at scale. In this graphic animation, the fictional character of Geya, who works as scientific policy advisor to the prime minister of her country, explores ways how to implement forest-based pathways (protect – restore – sustainable use) as a basis for green recovery. [more]
A growing population means more buildings to fit everyone. By 2030, we will have to house an additional 3 billion people. Using wood from sustainably managed forests means we can create homes that don’t cost us the Earth. [more]
Built with wood, cities could become extensions of our forests, helping to combat climate change and keep the planet healthy. Wood is renewable and stores carbon for its lifetime, helping to keep it locked away from the atmosphere. Buildings and the construction sector currently emit almost 40% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions globally. [more]
Wood can be a material of the future, helping to build a bio-economy for the planet's health and economic recovery. Durable “cross-laminated timber” panels (CLT) are replacing concrete and steel in building construction, helping build carbon-neutral homes, offices and schools. Artificial leather, biomedical devices, and even electronics are now also made from wood. [more]
FAO’s latest State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) report identifies three pathways that can conserve forests while supporting environmental and economic recovery: halting deforestation, restoring degraded forests, and sustainably using forests to build resilient local economies. [more]
Forests stand as a vital defense against climate change and biodiversity loss, while also providing livelihoods for millions of people across the world. [more]
For millions of people across the world, wood helps provide safe drinking water, food and shelter - but wood can do much more and is a renewable resource when forests are managed sustainably. [more]
Replacing more of the plastic things we use every day with wood-based products from sustainably managed forests can help combat climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Choose sustainable wood for people and the planet. [more]
Forests cover nearly one-third of the land on Earth. They shelter most of the planet’s irreplaceable biodiversity, help fight climate change and are a source of fresh water, timber and many other vital products and services to humankind. [more]
FAO’s Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) programme was established to support countries to plan and carry out activities to restore degraded forest, crop, range and other productive lands, in order to improve the resilience, productivity and socio-economic value from restored landscapes. [more]
This film highlights how Finland is setting an example in sustainable forest management and how the many and varied innovations emerging from Finland's forestry sector can help, not only Finland, but the rest of Europe, in achieving the goal of greening their economies. [more]
Globally, agriculture remains the most significant driver of global deforestation. Yet in Viet Nam, food security and forest cover have both increased significantly in the last 25 years thanks to economic and agricultural reforms as well as an increased emphasis on community-based forest management. [more]
The FAO FLEGT Programme has supported over 200 projects in 40 tropical timber-producing countries to improve forest governance and support legal timber trade. FAO works with the European Union (EU), member states, partner organizations and local stakeholders to help prepare timber-producing countries in Asia, Africa and South America to implement bilateral trade agreeements on legal timber with the EU. [more]
Providing students with a foundation to better understand the vital role of forests is a critical step to safeguarding natural resources for future generations. Raising awareness among today’s children about sustainable use and conservation encourages the young adults of tomorrow to make responsible decisions about the environment. [more]
Forests are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and are a vital part of our global ecosystem. They not only contribute to greener economic growth, but also provide timber, food, fuel and medicine for more than a third of the world’s population. They are our life-support system. We must manage forests sustainably as it is forests that make sustainable development possible. [more]
The case of the management of forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Petén Guatemala is a successful experience that has been recognized by the FAO. This video gathers the voices of the different actors that participate in the model. [more]
Agriculture remains the most significant driver of global deforestation. However, it is possible under certain conditions to achieve sustainable agriculture and food security while also halting deforestation. [more]
A nationwide programme to transfer government-owned forest land to local communities is changing lives in The Gambia while promoting the sustainable management of its forests. [more]
After decades of clear-cutting forests for cattle pastures and commodity crops, Costa Rica’s forest cover has now increased to 54 percent, thanks to more sustainable agriculture practices, stronger legal controls over land use, and funding for forest protection. [more]
Agriculture remains the most significant driver of global deforestation. Large-scale commercial agriculture and subsistence agriculture currently account for 73 percent of deforestation in the tropics and subtropics. [more]