The ability to unlock the emissions reductions potential of forests, as well as their ecosystem benefits depends on forging a consensus on critical issues like forest carbon pricing, public financing levels, private sector engagement and quality emissions. At UNEP, knowledge serves as the foundation for our advocacy efforts to achieve a sustainable future in which forests are conserved and restored.
Despite the growing momentum for forest commitments, we are nowhere near what is needed to reach the Paris Agreement goals. Deforestation rates continue. The existing model for financing forests is simply not working. Furthermore, there is a low level of ambition from countries and leaders, slow implementation, and insufficient finance to achieve forest solutions.
A future where forests and people co-exist
If we want to have a chance to limit global temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees, we need to unlock high-quality emissions reductions from forests. Forests have the potential to provide more than 4 GT per year of emissions reductions by 2030. Achieving finance for one gigaton of high-integrity emissions reductions by 2025, and one gigaton per year thereafter is essential to unlocking the potential of forests to curb temperature increase. By doing so, we can reap multiple benefits for communities, economies, and biodiversity.
A knowledge-based approach to advocacy
Our knowledge-based approach includes collating data and evidence on forests, as well as traditional insights from Indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring our efforts are relevant and grounded in real-world experiences.
We’re committed to developing knowledge products that provide a clear vision of how things could be and outline the steps necessary to get there. At international forums, such as climate COPs, we champion actionable policy recommendations based on solid evidence to benefit both forests and dependent communities.
Our goal is to present a vision for a sustainable future and to outline practical steps towards achieving that. Initiatives like "Forest Dialogues" demonstrate our approach, fostering consensus and stimulating discussions on forest conservation's economic and political aspects.
How we do it:
- Continuous learning with the REDD+ Academy
Recognizing the importance of ongoing education, the Academy offers a comprehensive platform for capacity building. It combines online courses, interactive workshops, and case studies to cater to various learning styles, ensuring education is accessible and relevant to today's conservation challenges. The Academy also facilitates communities of practice, knowledge exchanges, webinars, and learning labs.
[Visit the REDD+ Academy]
- Producing policy-relevant knowledge
Our work involves synthesizing data and local knowledge to support policy and practice development. By analyzing deforestation trends, assessing REDD+ strategies, and understanding community socio-economic impacts, our publications become invaluable resources for decision-makers. This effort aims to deepen our understanding of forest dynamics and conservation strategies, significantly contributing to the sector.
[Visit the UNREDD Flagship Knowledge page]
- Building consensus
Our Forest Dialogues initiative is a prime example of our methodology, aiming to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and foster debates on the economics and politics of forest conservation. Through a series of dialogues and discussions, Forest Dialogues seeks to raise the ambition of forest countries to deliver high-quality, high-integrity emissions reductions and of donor countries and corporations to increase forest financing. In 2023-2024, UNEP is convening discussions during important summits to harmonize diverse perspectives on these key topics.
[Visit the UN-REDD Forest Dialogues page]
