Four ways forests can improve our future – FAO journal

Rome – A new issue of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) forestry journal Unasylva sheds light on the important role of forests in achieving better production, better nutrition, a better environment and better lives for all.

The latest issue of FAO’s longest running periodical, Unasylva: Forests for a Better World, focuses on the many ways forests and forestry contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to aligning the future of food and agriculture with the environment under FAO’s new strategy known as the ‘four betters’: more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

With millions of people around the globe depending on foods from forests and trees to improve the diversity and nutritional quality of their diet, the role that forests play in improving nutrition is clear. Indeed, wild forest products such as fruit, nuts, leaves, insects and wild meats provide energy, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals to the diets of an estimated 1 billion people.

The publication highlights forests as a cornerstone of better production and of sustainable agrifood systems. Agrosilvopastoralism - a form of agroforestry – plays an important role in preventing degradation and desertification in drylands and is a key component of the Action Against Desertification programme in support of Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative across 10 countries.

A better environment is highlighted through examples of FAO’s work towards harnessing the full potential of forests to combat climate change as important carbon sinks. Forest products also have a lighter carbon footprint than many alternative materials.

“Maximizing the role of forests in combating climate change requires that we halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and promote sustainable production and use of forest products– these three forest “pathways” can provide up to one-third of the climate mitigation needed to stabilize global warming below 1.5 °C by 2030”, said Malgorzata Buszko-Briggs, Secretary of the Committee on Forests (COFO).

To highlight the ways in which forests contribute to better lives for all, Unasylva focuses particularly on youth and the traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in this new issue. The impacts of traditional knowledge are showcased through case studies, articles and interviews with FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Near East and North Africa, Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan and multiple award-winning photojournalist and contributor to the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, Brent Stirton.

About Unasylva

Unasylva is an international journal of forestry and forest industries and FAO's longest running periodical, existing since 1947. Its goal is to bring globally significant developments in forestry to a broad range of readers including policymakers, forest managers, technicians, researchers, students and teachers.

Each issue involves authors from every region of the world and from a variety of academic and research institutions, other United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society.

The 26th biennial session of the Committee on Forestry was held in Rome from 3 to 7 October, 2022 and marked the 50th anniversary of the Committee, the highest FAO forestry body. Its sessions brought together Heads of Forestry and other senior government officials to identify emerging policy and technical issues and advise on action needed.