At the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku in November 2024, world leaders and stakeholders gathered to accelerate global efforts to reduce deforestation, restore degraded forests, and harness the critical solutions forests provide for reducing greenhouse gas emission and strengthening resilience.
Forests are said to be vital in tackling the climate crisis. Photo credit: David Riaño Cortés / Pexels
Underscoring the urgency of action, the United Kingdom’s International Forest Unit pledged £3 million to support UN Climate Change’s REDD+ framework over the next four years.
“Forests are the lungs of our planet – without them climate security is impossible,” said Ed Miliband, the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. “We’re determined to play our part in mobilising finance to protect and restore global forests in these critical years for climate action.”
The funding will bolster activities under the Paris Agreement’s framework to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in many countries, enabling the creation of dedicated platforms for technical dialogues among REDD+ experts and improving the transparency and implementation of forest-related climate actions.
Forests: a cornerstone of climate action
Managed and natural land ecosystems help absorb about one third of the carbon dioxide emissions caused by human activities, acting as natural carbon sinks. However, deforestation and land-use changes contribute to around 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC). Without urgent action, these vital ecosystems risk further degradation, undermining their ability to combat climate change.
In the Global Stocktake in 2023 at COP28, Parties reached a landmark agreement to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 – a commitment that countries must reflect in their updated national climate plans due in early 2025. Yet, gaps in funding, data availability and knowledge-sharing hinder progress.
Scaling up REDD+ to unlock forest potential
REDD+ provides a robust framework for countries to cooperate on forest-related climate actions. Through a system of reporting and expert technical assessment, REDD+ activities are integrated into the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement. This ensures actions are visible and measurable.
“REDD+ is the framework that countries have agreed to use to stop deforestation and forest degradation, restore forests, and enhance the services that forests provide for adaptation, biodiversity, and local livelihoods,” said Dirk Nemitz, Team Lead of the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Unit at UN Climate Change.
AccuWeather expert meteorologists have said that 2024 will go down in the record books as a hot and stormy year with frequent rounds of extreme weather across the United States.
People wash their faces amid hot weather, in Sanliurfa, southeast Turkey, July 16, 2022. Photo credit: IHA Photo
“We witnessed a historic year of extreme weather in America. Hurricanes, floods, damaging windstorms, large hail and tornadoes devastated communities across the country,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist, Jonathan Porter.
“This was one of the most destructive and expensive hurricane seasons in modern history. The impacts of extreme weather have taken a major financial and emotional toll on millions of Americans this year. Unfortunately, this is a trend that we expect to further escalate in the coming decades. More and more people, businesses and communities are feeling the direct impacts and harm from extreme weather and climate change,” added Porter.
The frequency of extreme weather events has been driven, in part, by rising air and ocean temperatures around the globe. This year is on track to be Earth’s hottest year on record, shattering a record that was just set in 2023.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Climate Expert, Brett Anderson, says 2024 is also the first year that average global temperatures are expected to surpass the benchmark of 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average.
“Our world is getting warmer as we continue to burn fossil fuels around the globe. Temperatures will continue to rise if we continue emitting tons of greenhouse gases that are trapped in our atmosphere,” said Anderson.
“Higher air temperatures and warmer oceans are providing additional energy and moisture for storms. Warmer air can also hold more moisture, leading to more extreme rainfall rates and destructive flash flooding, which we have seen this year,” added Anderson.
The financial toll of extreme weather
Experts at the AccuWeather Global Weather Centre issued total damage and economic loss estimates for nine weather events in the United States this year. These exclusive estimates incorporate not just insured losses, but uninsured losses, as well as business and tourism disruptions and long-term healthcare costs from major weather events.
Feb. 9 –AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from intense storms slamming into California to be between $9 billion and $11 billion
April 17 – AccuWeather estimates that an exceptionally warm winter in the Upper Midwest and northern Plains cost businesses $8 billion in economic damage and losses
May 17 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from a windstorm in Houston, Texas, are between $5 billion and $7 billion
July 9 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Beryl in the United States is $28-32 billion
Aug. 9 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Debby in the United States is $28 billion
Sept. 12 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Francine in the United States is $9 billion
Sept. 18 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from an unnamed storm with tropical storm impacts in North Carolina are $7 billion
Oct. 3 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene to be between $225 billion and $250 billion
Oct. 10 – AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Milton to be between $160 and $180 billion
“The financial ripple effects of hurricane impacts this year will be felt for a long time. AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Beryl, Debby, Francine, Helene, Milton and the unnamed subtropical storm in the Carolinas will surpass half a trillion dollars. The cleanup and recovery process could take 10 years or longer in some of the hardest-hit communities. The long-term costs of health care and mental health impacts will last for decades. Researchers say hurricanes can contribute to thousands of excess deaths in the years after a major landfall,” Porter said.
He added: “The damage and economic loss from tornadoes, floods, hail, wildfires and drought this year is mounting. The extreme weather of 2024 should be a further wake-up call for businesses, government leaders, emergency officials and the insurance industry to prepare for a future with more weather disasters, extreme temperatures, and unprecedented impacts. We need to become more resilient to extreme and severe weather and ensure each family, business and government organisation has the best plan in place to be better prepared and stay safer, given increasing severe weather impacts.”
Healthy forests sustain biodiversity, livelihoods, and local economies. Home to most of the planet’s terrestrial species, forests provide millions of people with jobs, along with food and fuel for more than 90 percent of the world’s most vulnerable populations. When forests are threatened, so too are the benefits they provide and the survival of wildlife.
Participants at the Regional Training on Physical Inspection of Timber Shipments and Risk Assessment in Kampala, Uganda
To strengthen responses in addressing illegal trade in tree species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the CITES Secretariat, hosted a Regional Training on Physical Inspection of Timber Shipments and Risk Assessment in Kampala, Uganda, from November 25 to 29, 2024.
The training was organised by the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) with support from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and the European Union-Uganda Forest Partnership, and was possible through generous funding provided by China, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The specialised training aimed to equip front-line law enforcement such as Customs officers, and CITES authorities from Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa with the knowledge and skills needed to enforce CITES regulations more effectively and ensure the sustainability, legality, and traceability of international trade in CITES-listed tree species. This initiative supports the implementation of CITES Decision 19.90, paragraphs b) and c), and aligns with the outcomes of the CITES Task Force meeting on illegal trade in specimens of listed tree species, which was convened in February 2022.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said: “By enhancing the capacity of frontline officers in regions affected by illegal trade in CITES-listed species to detect illegal timber shipments, identify wood species, and develop national risk assessments, we are supporting Parties in strengthening the implementation of the Convention. This effort reinforces global commitments to conserve biodiversity and promote the legal and sustainable trade of forest products.”
The cooperation between the CITES Secretariat and the UNODC on their PCCP underscores a strong commitment to deliver training by experienced CITES enforcement officials. The PCCP incorporates a multidirectional, holistic approach to combat the escalating threat of illegal deforestation and trafficking. This approach aims to support law enforcement working in key countries affected by the illegal timber trade and to enhance the detection of illegal timber shipments by relevant authorities.
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation to effectively tackle illegal timber trafficking in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, Sharon Nyambe, Head of the UNODC Office in Uganda, said: The Regional Training represents an important step in our fight against illegal timber trafficking”.
She added: “We’re not just building technical capacity; we’re strengthening the networks and relationships needed to combat these transnational crimes through enhanced collaboration and information sharing.”
The training equipped officers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to combat the illegal timber trade. Participants learned to identify and assess risks, detect concealed timber specimens, and verify CITES permits and certificates. They were trained in advanced techniques for physical inspection, forensic timber identification, securing crime scenes and reporting seizure of CITES-listed species.
The proof of the training’s impact occurred during a full-morning port visit, where participants put theory into practice with the physical inspection of an actual timber shipment. Officers demonstrated their new skills in container inspection, wood species identification, and evidence collection techniques.
“Observing officers from various countries collaborate in real-time to analyze suspicious timber shipments highlighted the true value of Passenger and Cargo Control Programme’s practical training approach. Such hands-on experience is essential for building the confidence and expertise required to effectively detect illegal timber shipments,”said Topan Renyaan, PCCP Deputy Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
“With over 113 Port Control Units and 23 Air Cargo Control Units across more than 85 countries, PCCP is well-equipped to enhance supply chain security while facilitating legitimate timber trade, providing an additional layer of protection through improved risk profiling and targeting,” added Renyaan.
The training also included the integration of genetic methods for timber identification, soon to be established at Uganda’s wildlife forensics laboratory with support from UNODC and its partner, TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, under the UNODC project “Combating deforestation and forest degradation in Uganda through the criminal justice system,” funded by the European Union through the European Union-Uganda Forest Partnership. This tool will aid in combating illegality in the forestry sector, detecting fraud and enforcing legislation to curb the supply of illegal wood products.
This joint initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement in Africa to combat environmental crime and safeguard the region’s valuable forests. The CITES Secretariat is working closely with ICCWC partners to implement training on physical inspection of timber shipments in regions significantly affected by illegal trade in CITES-listed tree species.
In previous years, this was combined with ongoing support provided by ICCWC to West and Central Africa. This training was developed as part of the third phase of support based on lessons learned and additional needs identified.
Special Rapporteur Elisa Morgera (2nd from left) with other panelists (l to r) Onelin Masardule, Nicole Yanes, Taily Terena, Saul Vicente, Andrea Carmen, and Naanyu Manei at IITC’s side event on Indigenous Peoples’ Sustainable Agriculture and Just Transition at UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, November 15, 2024
The Special Rapporteur has requested the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) assist in the dissemination of these calls to encourage wide participation by Indigenous Peoples. The IITC affirms that the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world continue to be seriously impacted by the issues to be addressed in these studies.
At the recently concluded UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for example, IITC witnessed the sincere interest of the Special Rapporteur in receiving information from Indigenous Peoples. Ms. Morgera was particularly interested in the many ways that our rights and ways of life are being impacted by the causes, effects, and false solutions to climate change. IITC encourages Indigenous Peoples to participate in these studies so that our voices and lived experiences can be taken into account.
The call for inputs on the fossil fuel-based economy aims to advance understanding on how to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, as well as prevent harm and ensure non-discrimination, in the context of a just transition away from fossil fuels and the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies. The key questions and types of input/comments sought for this report, fossil fuel-based economy, are available at her website in English, French, and Spanish. This study will inform the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report to the Human Rights Council’s 59th session.
The call for inputs onrenewables and critical minerals seeks to document positive and negative impacts on human rights of different sources, scales, and stages of renewable energy development as part of a so-called just transition, including in relation to critical minerals, throughout their life cycle.
The Special Rapporteur seeks to present constructive and concrete recommendations on human rights-based, gender-responsive, age-sensitive, disability-inclusive and risk-informed approaches to renewable energy development and critical minerals throughout their life cycle, which enhance the protection of all human rights, including everyone’s human right to a healthy environment, and prevent discrimination, in the context of just transition.
Available data indicates that Nigeria has an arable land area of 34 million hectares; 6.5 million hectares for permanent crops and 28.6 million hectares on meadows and pastures.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari
With such large areas of arable land and weather conditions suitable for various nutrient-rich crop varieties, Nigeria is expected to be one of the best food secured countries in the world.
Nigeria’s opportunity in this regard is further boosted by its youthful population.
However, attaining food security has been a herculean task.
According to statistics by 2024 Cadre Harmonise report, 31.8 million Nigerians are suffering from acute food insecurity compounded with malnutrition among women and children.
In the light of the foregoing, stakeholders opine that incentivising smallholder farmers to scale production is the surest way to the nation’s attachment of food security.
The stakeholders recently converged on Abuja for the 2024 National Agriculture Show (NAS) from Nov. 20 to 24, 2024, with the theme, “Incentivising Smallholder Farmers to Scale for Attainment of Food Security.’’
They listed the smallholder farmers as women, persons with disabilities and youths.
The agric show is organised annually by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) in collaboration with All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other stakeholders.
The show avails farmers across the states of the federation opportunities to showcase their agricultural potentials, resources and products.
In her submission, Mrs Nkiruka Okonkwo, Chairperson, National Agricultural Show Youth and Women in Agriculture Committee, said that it was imperative for the country to target investments towards boosting women farmers participation and productivity to capitalise on the potential economic gains.
Okonkwo, also the Chief Executive Officer of Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN) and the Keynote Speaker, said it was pertinent for the government and stakeholders to invest in gender-disagregated data collection especially budget and expenditure data.
She said the gesture would facilitate analytics and evidence-based policy making and enhance women and youth empowerment in the sector.
Okonkwo said that empowering women, youth and PWDs smallholder farmers was critical to the nation’s food security.
She said that such could be done by providing targeted incentives, strategic interventions, multi-stakeholders collaboration, policy support and innovation solutions as well as an enabling environment.
Okonkwo said through such initiatives or efforts, the country could unlock its potential, enhance its productivity and boost national food security.
She said that women played a vital role in the country’s agricultural sector; contributing 70 per cent of the agricultural workforce and 60 per cent of smallholder farmers; however, they faced numerous challenges.
“These challenges include limited access to land, finance, gender-friendly and affordable technology and markets, social and cultural barriers, climate change, among others.
“Nigeria can advance further in agriculture if women, youth, PWDs are freed from socioeconomic constraints.’’
She recommended separate budget lines in the annual budgets for women, youth and PWDs.
Okonkwo urged all stakeholders to collectively commit to empowering women, PWDs and youth small holder farmers.
“Women, PWDs and young smallholder farmers are critical in achieving food security in Nigeria.
“So, it is necessary to enhance their access or capabilities, participation and quality of influence through financial incentives, technical assistance, market access, technology adoption and social protection.
“Enabling women and youth to thrive in the sector requires two main categories of incentives targeted and strategic–women-focused incentives which include land ownership, tenure security, access to finance and social protection and safety nets.
“Youth-focused incentives include agricultural entrepreneurship training, access to innovative finance, youth-friendly technology and digitalisation.
“Others are apprenticeship, volunteerism, mentoring and agribusiness incubation, market and linkages, policy support and advocacy,” she said.
On his part, Mr Kabir Ibrahim, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), said the country could only achieve food security by 2025 if challenges faced by smallholder farmers were addressed.
He identified insecurity as number one threat to the attainment of food security followed by climate change.
Ibrahim, also the President All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said that everyone must work very hard to mitigate the situation.
He urged the government and all and sundry to make the country food secure in 2025 by properly and decisively supporting smallholder farmers through creation of enabling environment to enable them upscale productivity.
“It is exceedingly difficult to attain food security today without first identifying regional staple foods and scaling their production, processing, distribution as well as adequately storing surplus properly and consuming them moderately and appropriately.
“We must also minimise post-harvest losses by evolving adequate cold and dry storage as well as constant recycling and appropriate disposal of food waste.
“Efforts of smallholder farmers to scale their productive capacities must be sustainably supported by governments at all levels so that they become small scale producers who will be able to support sustainable industrial growth,’’ he said.
More so, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State called on the Federal Government to prioritise the agric show by investing massively on it in order to achieve its set target.
Sule, who was represented by Abubakar Madak, Chairman, Karu Local Government, called on the Federal Government to further build the necessary infrastructure at the show ground to make exhibitions more attractive to all the stakeholders and farmers annually.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said government had put modalities in place to address critical issues affecting farmers and ameliorate the sector challenges.
Mr Jafar Umar, Director General, NABG, an NGO, said the organisation was saddled with the responsibilities of reducing poverty among others.
Umar said the organisation was collaborating with the government to grow the country’s agricultural economy, create jobs and lift millions out of poverty.
According to him, NABG investments cut across the entire value chain, from inputs to output markets, export markets, equipment and consumer food manufacturing.
Dr Ifeoma Anyawu, Head of Gender, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), said the country must invest in women and youth in order to cultivate the next generation of family farmers.
Anyawu explained that women constituted 43 per cent of the agricultural labour in the developing world while in some other countries they constituted 80 per cent.
According to her, the women have limited access to credit and lack control of family funds.
“The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) found that only 10 per cent of credit in Sub-Sahara Africa is available to women.
“Women also face scanty educational opportunities and gender discrimination; no proper training and they are unable to make improvements to their farming methods and continue to suffer from low food yields.’’
Anyawu, who identified the number of young people of working age as increasing, said that the same group typically rejected careers in agriculture and food system.
“But we can change that and cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders-not just farmers, but food entrepreneurs, scientists, agronomists, extension agents, Union a government leaders.
“Government needs to invest in policies and practices that provide access to land, credit and banking services, education and knowledge and technical skills for youth and women in agriculture,’’ she said.
In all, it is stakeholders’ view that many rural areas are not stimulating places for youth to live and develop; hence, the need to make rural areas more attractive so that youths can venture into agriculture and bolster the nation’s ability to feed itself and the whole world.
They hold that there should be policy in place that will provide access to land, credit facility, education, good transport system, agricultural equipment and other social amenities for youth and women in agriculture.
The GEF Small Grants Programme is a flagship initiative that over the past three decades has enabled civil society organisations to access funding and technical assistance for community action related to the environment and sustainable livelihoods. It specifically supports Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women-led initiatives, youth engagement and leadership, and persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, Nigeria National Coordinator, UNDP GEF-SGP
Following decades of leadership by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as anchor agency, it has been expanded following a GEF Council decision two years ago to two additional implementing entities, Conservation International and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, alongside UNDP supporting locally led initiatives in developing countries.
It is believed that this wider remit is helping communities access additional funding, with more options for collaboration and the pooling of expertise, including through the technical knowhow offered by the various agencies.
Communities in 137 countries are accessing GEF SGP funding in the Global Environment Facility’s eighth funding cycle, up from 124 countries in the seventh replenishment period.
The first tranche of GEF SGP funds approved during this cycle is being implemented by UNDP, and the second tranche approved by GEF Council in December 2024 will be implemented by all three agencies.
Altogether, GEF SGP is providing $135 million for community-led environmental initiatives in GEF-8. This supports work in five strategic areas: (1) community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species; (2) sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security; (3) low-carbon energy access and co-benefits; (4) local to global coalitions for chemicals and waste management; (and 5) sustainable urban solutions.
The GEF Small Grants Programme has also sponsored a new challenge programme supporting innovative action by civil society organisations, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with another CSO initiative in the works for 2025 with a focus on microfinance.
As extreme weather exacerbates poverty and malnutrition, farmers are caught in a dangerous catch-22: climate change threatens their crops and livelihoods, prompting them to expand their farms by cutting down trees. This, in turn, intensifies the effect of droughts, flooding, and soil erosion.
According to a new report authored by the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU), sustainable agriculture practices can help farmers break this cycle.
The report assessed the results of a $19.3 million programme launched in Madagascar, implemented by Conservation International, with $18.5 million in financing from GCF to help farmers implement new climate-smart practices – like using drought-resistant crops, mulching to prevent soil erosion during heavy rains and planting native fruit trees that provide both shade and new sources of income.
The report found that farmers who adopted sustainable agriculture practices were not only less likely to deforest surrounding land, but they also had greater food security—an important indicator in a country where about a third of the population does not have enough food.
“The farmers that are changing their practices are seeing results,” said Camila Donatti, a Conservation International expert on climate change who authored the report.
Ravolasoa Aimée Clarence, from Ambohimana, Vondrozo district, received training in climate-resilient farming techniques and high-quality ground nut seeds to harvest in 2019. These locally adapted seeds became the starting point for a sustainable agricultural practice on her farm. The transition to these quality seeds marked the first step towards a spectacular increase in rice yields.
In just four years, her life transformed. After harvesting the groundnuts in accordance with the knowledge gained, she and her husband used the profits to buy rice seeds. When the rice was harvested, they purchased additional cropland to grow crops before eventually acquiring four cows.
Dalia, a farmer in the Bejofo municipality, Antokazo, received high-quality seeds for harvest and essential farming tools, including watering equipment, ropes for cultivation, weeding tools, and insect repellents. These resources were carefully selected to help local farmers like Dalia tackle the challenges of changing weather patterns. From the 10.5 kilogrammes of bean seeds Dalia received, she harvested 400 cans, equivalent to 114.3 kilogrammes, exceeding expectations while demonstrating the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,600 participating farmers to learn more about the quantity and type of food they eat and their ability to pay for essential needs, like housing, clothing and medications. Over five years, the farmers’ food security shifted measurably.
The findings are promising for Madagascar and beyond. The ongoing project can potentially improve the lives of nearly 24,000 people and conserve the two largest remaining forests in eastern Madagascar – the Ankeniheny-Zahamena and Ambositra-Vondrozo forests. These globally important forest corridors hold vast amounts of planet-warming carbon and wildlife – roughly 85 per cent of which is found nowhere else on Earth – but have steadily been degraded by slash-and-burn agriculture, the area’s leading cause of deforestation.
In 2024, forests saw progress in conservation but faced persistent threats from climate change and deforestation, writes Robert Nasi, Director General of the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Robert Nasi, Director General, Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
The picture painted by the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment, albeit relying mostly on 2023 figures, is not a pretty one. As 2024 is coming to an end, here is a reflection of the year for forests.
2024 has been marked by both positive strides and persistent challenges for the world’s forests. While innovative technologies and strengthened international cooperation offered hope, the relentless pressures of climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable use continued to threaten these vital ecosystems.
In the international and national agenda, the role of forests in mitigating and adapting to climate change is reaffirmed. More interestingly, the recognition of their role in adaptation and water cycles is finally gaining some traction.
Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks and stores, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By preserving and restoring forests, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help stabilize the global climate. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)’s State of the World’s Forests 2024 report, forests absorb around 11 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Forests are also irreplaceable reservoirs of biodiversity, housing up to 80% of all terrestrial species and supporting the livelihoods of millions. At the UNCBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, this role was highlighted at the launch of The Forest Factor, a report by the UNCBD and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests that highlights how forest conservation, restoration and sustainable management is key in achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Lastly, forests are indispensable for climate change adaptation and the stability of hydrological systems. They regulate regional and global climates through evapotranspiration, which moderates temperatures and reduces climate variability. This cooling effect can lower temperatures in tropical regions by up to 2°C by 2100. They act as natural buffers, protecting against floods, reducing soil erosion and stabilising water flows. Forested areas near rivers and streams provide shade, maintaining cooler water temperatures essential for aquatic life.
We have also witnessed some progress in preserving forests, recognizing the critical importance of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and interesting technological advances.
Several countries have made significant strides in their forest conservation efforts. Brazil, for instance, witnessed a notable decline in deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest, with deforestation rates dropping by 30.6% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to data released by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Indonesia, another major player in global deforestation, also implemented stricter regulations and invested in sustainable forest management practices, leading to a 25% reduction in deforestation rates.
Technology has also been a powerful tool in advancing forest conservation. Remote sensing and satellite imagery have enabled scientists and policymakers to monitor forest health and detect illegal logging activities with unprecedented accuracy. For example, the use of satellite imagery has helped identify and track illegal logging operations in the Amazon rainforest, leading to significant seizure of illegally logged timber.
Indigenous communities, often the traditional guardians of forests, have a deep understanding of and connection to these ecosystems. For example, many Indigenous practices, such as controlled burns and agroforestry, maintain biodiversity and improve forest resilience. Their knowledge and practices have proven invaluable in sustainable forest management. Indigenous Peoples manage approximately 22% of the world’s land area, including vast tracts of forest. Indigenous-managed forests in the Amazon appear particularly effective, with deforestation rates reduced by as much as 83% compared to other areas, showcasing their vital contribution to carbon storage and climate regulation.
Despite these positive developments, which include reduced deforestation rates in some regions and advances in sustainable forest management, the challenges facing the world’s forests remain substantial. Climate change continues to exert significant pressure on forest ecosystems, with rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent and intense wildfires posing severe threats. In 2023, wildfires burned an estimated 6.687 million hectares of forest globally, releasing 6.687 megatonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Preliminary data for 2024 indicates that the situation has not improved. In August 2024, there was a significant surge in global wildfire activity, with most of the increase occurring within a week. Wildfires swept the Amazon as Brazil suffered the worst drought on record, 10,400 fires were reported in Peru. The first half of the 2024 boreal summer has seen a large number of intense wildfires in eastern Russia, Canada, and Alaska, resulting in the transport of vast quantities of smoke across parts of Eurasia and North America.
Deforestation, driven by factors such as agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development, persists in many regions, leading to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In 2023, the world lost an estimated 5.4-6.4 million hectares of forest, primarily due to deforestation and forest degradation. The 2024 numbers are not available yet, but while deforestation in the Amazon has decreased, the rest of the tropical world is witnessing an uptick in deforestation. Illegal logging and, more generally, unsustainable use of forest resources remain major problems, undermining efforts to protect forests and fuelling corruption and organised crime. It is estimated that illegal logging accounts for 15-30% of global timber production. In November 2023, Interpol stated: “Illegal wildlife trade has become one of the world’s largest criminal activities. It is just becoming easier in 2024 with the help of social media.”
To address the complex challenges facing the world’s forests, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is necessary. International cooperation is essential to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and provide financial support to countries with significant forest resources. Strong governance and effective law enforcement are crucial to combat illegal logging and ensure sustainable forest management. Investing in sustainable agriculture and alternative livelihoods can reduce pressure on forests and promote economic development. Additionally, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to play a role in forest conservation is essential, as they often have deep knowledge and strong ties to the land.
The future of our planet depends on the health of our forests. By prioritising forest conservation, we can mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of future generations.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has secured $68 million in funding to address environmental challenges across 22 countries, officials have announced.
Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu
The financing, approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), targets biodiversity loss, groundwater management, climate change, land degradation, and pollution.
The projects are expected to generate an additional $273 million in co-financing.
“The approval of this batch of projects comes at the end of a year of environmental summits that highlighted the need for finance to unlock transformation of global agrifood systems,” said FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu.
The package includes $19 million for FAO’s Small Grants Programme, supporting local initiatives across 14 countries from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Venezuela.
The programme aims to restore 20,000 hectares of land and benefit 45,000 people.
Five biodiversity projects will receive funding through the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, targeting protected areas management and ecosystem restoration.
The initiatives span multiple countries, including Laos, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
In East Africa, a $7.8 million project will focus on water security in the Mount Kilimanjaro region, aiming to conserve 40,000 hectares of cloud forest and benefit 100,000 people across Kenya and Tanzania.
“These projects will help change the way we produce our food, fuel, and fibre to address global environmental crises,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson.
The funding marks a record year for the FAO-GEF partnership, which has supported 141 countries with $1.9 billion in environmental projects since 2006.
Additional initiatives include a $9.6 million project in Gambia to reduce agrochemical use and a $4 million sustainable tourism programme in Vanuatu.
The projects align with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and are designed to deliver global environmental benefits while responding to local priorities.
Leading global iGaming brand, 1win, and non-profit environmental organisation, Recycledge, will launch a collaborative Plastic Waste Exchange (PWE) project – a community-driven initiative to combat plastic waste and promote responsible plastic management in Nigeria.
Plastic waste pollution
The launch event takes place on Saturday, December 28, 2024, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Members of the public are encouraged to bring their plastic bottles in exchange for vouchers, food items, gifts, or cash rewards. The more kilogrammes of plastic attendees bring, the more tangible rewards from 1win they will receive, disclosed the organisers.
“The event promises to be engaging and fun, with activities including games and entertainment for participants of all ages, exclusive 1win merchandise giveaways, and appearances by renowned Nigerian personalities,” the promoters added.
They stated that social media influencers, Moyin and Doyin Oladimeji (known as @Twinz_Love), and famous Nigerian actor and producer, Femi Adebayo, will appear on the day to lend their voices to the campaign and inspire community participation.
The PWE project addresses the issue of plastic waste in Ibadan and surrounding areas. Citizens are encouraged to recycle PET bottles by bringing them to 1win-branded PWE stations. With an ambitious goal to collect 5,000 kilogrammes of plastic waste, 1win and Recycledge aim to send it to recycle sites and prevent plastics from polluting landfills, waterways, and natural habitats in Nigeria.
Following the launch event, 1win-facilitated plastic receptacle stations can be found across Ibadan in the following locations: Ilaji Hotel and Resorts, Hybrid Heights, Agodi Parks and Gardens, and IDC School (New Gbagi).
