New FAO tools to help countries halt deforestation through sustainable agrifood systems transformation

A new suite of tools launched today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will help countries identify practical, systemic solutions to halt deforestation while advancing sustainable agrifood systems. The  Solutions-tree: solutions to halting deforestation – through sustainable agrifood systems transformation is an online analytical toolkit that enables governments, businesses and communities to address the complex root causes of forest loss. 

Developed in collaboration with the UN-REDD Programme and more than 60 experts and partner organizations and with support from the government of Japan, the Solutions-tree combines evidence, tools and case studies into one comprehensive framework.  

It links deforestation drivers to context-specific solutions and measures that decision-makers can apply to achieve sustainable forest–agriculture systems. 

“The Solutions-tree helps countries integrate agricultural policies and forest management with sustainable development,” said Serena Fortuna, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Forestry Division. “It offers a practical framework to turn high-level commitments into tangible actions and to strengthen collaboration across sectors to achieve a future where forests, people and agrifood systems grow together sustainably.” 

Tackling underlying causes 

Forests regulate water cycles, prevent soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, store carbon and provide vital ecosystem services that sustain food production. Yet agricultural expansion for crops and livestock continues to be one of the main drivers of deforestation worldwide.  

The Solutions-tree recognizes that ending forest loss requires looking beyond these direct pressures to tackle underlying causes such as poverty, weak land governance and rising demand for agricultural commodities. 

Early testing in the African nations of Benin and Guinea showed how the Solutions-tree can guide countries in developing or updating their national REDD+ or other type of strategies which are aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation .  

Through participatory workshops held between November 2024 and April 2025, national stakeholders used the tool to identify and prioritize locally adapted solutions to reduce deforestation. The process helped move from fragmented interventions toward a shared, systemic approach, helping to foster cross-sectoral dialogue and stronger national ownership. 

FAO, in collaboration with UN-REDD and other partners and support from Japan and other donors,  will continue refining the Solutions-tree based on country experiences and expanding its use to interested countries across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.