Choose sustainable wood for people and planet

17/03/2022

Forests cover nearly one-third of the earth’s land surface and provide people with goods such as timber, fuel, food and fodder. They help combat climate change, protect biodiversity and serve as areas where people can get close to nature.

Sustainably using forests will help us move to an economy based on renewable, reusable and recyclable materials so as to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.

As we celebrate the International Day of Forests 2022, here’s a selection of recent and forthcoming materials on FAO’s work to support the theme of this year, “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.

Just released: Forest products in the global bioeconomy – Enabling substitution by wood-based products and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
This report addresses the role of forest products in replacing fossil-based and GHG-intensive products. It proposes recommendations to strengthen the contribution of product substitution in a bioeconomy, such as investing in developing efficient production processes and technologies that optimize material use.  

Unasylva 252: Restoring the earth – The next decade
This issue showcases forest and landscape restoration opportunities and developments that can contribute to achieving the Bonn Challenge pledge and other national and international commitments (including the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, 2021–2030).

Forest and farm producer organizations building resilience – Strength in numbers and landscapes. Global findings from case studies. Forest and Farm Facility
This publication provides an opportunity to hear the voices of farmers and their organizations. The 12 case studies collected from among the more than 600 farmers’ organizations supported yearly by AgriCord and Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) allow policymakers and technical and financial institutions to see examples of the inventiveness of farmers at the grassroots and how they contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mountain tourism –Towards a more sustainable path  
This study highlights the important role that tourism can play in valuing the natural and spiritual heritage of mountains, and the cultural diversity and traditional practices of mountain peoples. Furthermore, it highlights that mountain tourism can make a valuable contribution to promoting sustainable food systems and adding value to local products.  

Classification of forest products 2022
This statistical classification system enables the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of high-quality global data on forest products, including production, trade and production capacity. It covers the current spectrum of primary and secondary wood and paper products, such as bark, cork and charcoal.

Further reading

Forthcoming

  • The State of World’s Forests 2022: Forestry and Green Recovery, Building Inclusive and Sustainable Green Economies
  • Greening cities: Collection of case studies on urban forestry design
  • A call for action for halting deforestation. Role of forests in achieving SDGs
  • Global assessment of forest education

Looking for more knowledge? Check the latest issue of the FAO publications catalogue.