International Day of Forests 2024
Key messages
Innovation and technology have transformed countries’ ability to monitor and report on their forests
13.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide forest emission reductions or enhancements have been reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, thanks to innovative and transparent forest monitoring.
New technological innovations are needed to halt deforestation and forest degradation
With 10 million hectares of forest lost to deforestation and approximately 70 million hectares affected by fires annually, technological innovations are needed for early warning systems for fires and forest loss, and to enable sustainable commodity production.
Technological innovations can empower Indigenous Peoples through mapping and securing customary land
Indigenous Peoples are custodians of much of the world’s remaining intact forests, and mapping and securing customary lands and enabling access to climate finance can help ensure their crucial role in biodiversity conservation and carbon storage.
Innovation is advancing ecosystem restoration as a powerful nature-based solution to multiple global challenges
Innovative approaches under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – including restoring forests and planting trees on degraded land – can contribute one third of the total climate mitigation needed to limit warming to below 2°C by 2030, while boosting food security and livelihoods.
Research and science are pushing the boundaries of what we can do with wood and other forest products.
From construction to medicine, innovations in forest products are helping create alternatives to unsustainable materials such as concrete, steel, plastics and synthetic fibres, while sustainable wood products store carbon for their lifetime.
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Related links
Video spot
News and stories
International Day of Forests: FAO, Google and partners launch solutions to monitor and protect forests
21/03/2024
Showcasing transformative innovations that are being used to help countries halt deforestation and forest degradation.
Harnessing technology and innovation to transform our forests
21/03/2024
Find out how innovation and technology have transformed countries' ability to monitor and report on their forests in this digital story.
Winners of International Day of Forests 2024 photo contest announced
21/03/2024
Six photographs from Austria, Finland, Honduras, Lebanon, Slovenia and the United States of America have won the International Day of Forests 2024 photo...
Innovating tradition to protect ancient forests in Papua New Guinea
21/03/2024
Supporting an Indigenous Peoples’ community to monitor forests with satellites and tablets.
Videos and publications
New frontiers in forestry innovations
20/03/2024
AIM4Forests: Accelerating innovative monitoring for forests
21/03/2024
FAO and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have launched AIM4Forests, a five-year programme that aims to support forest monitoring...
Events
Rome (Italy)
Tree planting and guided tours at the Global Library of Trees and Flowers - FAO Park
24/04/2024
In collaboration with the Municipality of Rome, this high-level event includes tree planting and inauguration of the educational itinerary at the Global...
Rome (Italy)
Rome 21 March 2024: How innovation is driving change in forestry
21/03/2024
Join us for this hybrid event to find out about some of the outstanding innovations that are helping to protect forests and unlock the many benefits...