Halting deforestation, degradation and emissions

FAO is dedicated to helping countries halt deforestation, forest degradation and achieve high-quality emissions reductions from the forestry and land use sector. In doing so, countries are better placed to achieve their national and international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and agrifood systems transformation.
Guided by pledges linked to the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), FAO’s work focuses on ensuring countries are financially, technically and institutionally equipped to deliver their commitments. 
FAO’s work in this domain focuses on three main thematic areas’ navigating climate finance, transforming agrifood systems and harnessing forests for climate mitigation. Across the three thematic areas, FAO works to ensure, biodiversity is safeguarded, local actors are empowered, and forest data is utilized for informed decision making. 
In focus
Navigating climate and results-based finance opportunities

Supporting policy design,  upfront finance, results-based finances and payments, and REDD+

Transforming agrifood systems

Fostering sustainability in agricultural supply chains,  and land use practices while promoting conservation and production for healthy forests and livelihoods

Harnessing forests for climate mitigation

Advancing sustainable management of forests as a climate solution, with co-benefits for livelihoods, biodiversity and resilience

Safeguarding biodiversity and strengthening resilience

Protecting ecosystems and boosting forest resilience through conservation.

Empowering Indigenous Peoples, and local communities

Strengthening the roles and rights of all stakeholders in land use governance

Leveraging forest data

Advancing data-driven approaches to track forest changes and inform decision-making

Support to member nations

FAO provides bespoke support to more than 40 countries and addresses their unique local contexts and challenges. With dedicated country and regional teams, we directly engage with communities and stakeholders and respond promptly to on-ground realities.

Recent publications
19/11/2024

This publication offers a comparative analysis of forest legal frameworks in seven West African countries — Côte d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone — highlighting...

18/10/2024

This publication presents lessons learned from subregional dynamics, national legal frameworks, and best practices in forest governance in West Africa. It explores various approaches to decentralization, highlighting the role of...

Multimedia
A Day at a National Forest Inventory Camp in Papua New Guinea (Short Version)
18/09/2025

The world’s 3rd largest rainforest – after the Amazon and Congo Basin- is found on the island of New Guinea. It is shared by 2 countries – Papua New...

Saving forests by monitoring what’s happening on the ground (mapping Uganda’s forests)
17/09/2025

See Uganda's work to protect and manage its forests.

Launch of +Bosques, together against Climate Change
10/09/2025

El proyecto +Bosques, juntos contra el cambio climático, es una de las iniciativas de reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero por deforestación...

Our partners
Events

Hybrid Event, Rome (Italy)

Showcasing the multidimensions of sustainable agricultural solutions for reducing deforestation
16/12/2025

FAO invites partners, colleagues and practitioners working across agriculture, forests and climate to join the event “Showcasing the multidimensions...

Hybrid Event, Rome (Italy)

Webinar series: Halting deforestation: approaches and tools for forest-positive commodity value chains
08/09/2021 - 20/11/2021

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) are pleased...

Hybrid Event, Rome (Italy)

Commodity Markets, Trade and Forests: Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Agricultural Supply Chains
16/11/2023

Join us as we reflect on the FAO/OECD event: Commodity Markets, Trade and Forests: Advancing Responsible Business Conduct...

eLearning
Climate-smart forestry
22/07/2025

This course explores the role of forests and trees in climate-smart agriculture (CSA). It takes into consideration the ecosystem services and goods...

Tenure security for better forestry: Applying the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure
22/07/2025

Governments and development actors increasingly recognize that strengthening tenure can create powerful incentives for the sustainable use of forest...

Resilient rivers: Watershed-based management of forests, freshwater, and inland fisheries
22/07/2025

Focusing on freshwater systems, this course inspires managers, scientists, and community members to work across disciplines and watersheds. The course...