To learn more, join us at GLF Forests (24–25 April) and Forests, People, Planet (27 May).
Forests cover nearly a third of the planet’s land area and play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate and supporting livelihoods.
And yet, they’re are being lost at an alarming rate. Every year, nearly 10 million hectares of forest are destroyed – an area roughly the size of South Korea, exacerbating the climate crisis and threatening the ecosystems that depend on them.
The climate crisis is putting further pressure on forests, as rising temperatures and extreme weather push these ecosystems to their limits. This means the fight to protect and restore forests is more urgent than ever.
This year, forests are at the center of the global climate agenda as Brazil prepares to host COP30 in the heart of the Amazon, which is on the brink of a tipping point. The stakes have never been higher, and the next few years will be critical.
So, how can we halt deforestation, restore degraded lands and ensure that forests continue to thrive for future generations?
Whether you’re working on restoration, policy, community engagement or monitoring, these forest concepts and tools will help you stay abreast in 2025.
Forest landscapes thrive when governance is inclusive and long-term, which is why Canadian policymakers, environmentalists, forest workers and Indigenous communities came together in the early 1990s to devise an approach known as Model Forests.
In short, a Model Forest is a forum where various stakeholders gather to discuss how to govern a large-scale landscape encompassing many different land uses. It involves building strategic, long-term partnerships for sustainable forest management based on a broad set of principles.
The Model Forest approach builds spaces for shared decision making between stakeholders with different interests – but shared futures. To learn more, check out the Model Forest Toolkit, developed by the International Model Forest Network (IMFN).
Who it’s for: Community leaders, forest managers, NGOs
Local lens: In Bolivia’s Chiquitano forest, a Model Forest brought together cattle ranchers and Indigenous leaders to co-design fire prevention protocols, turning conflict into collaboration.
Read: Model Forest Toolkit
Nearly a decade ago, world leaders agreed on a set of goals to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. With just five years left to go, how much progress have we made?
Unfortunately, the answer is: not much.
Discover the current state of our forests in the latest Forest Declaration Assessment. Much more than just a report, it’s a global pulse check – tracking where we are, what’s working and what needs urgent course correction to meet our forest goals by 2030.
Who it’s for: Policymakers, researchers, NGOs, donor agencies, anyone interested in forest
Local lens: In 2023, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped by 62.2 percent – a major win fueled by political will, law enforcement and international support. But while the Amazon heals, the Cerrado – home to 5 percent of global biodiversity – is facing record-breaking deforestation. This is a stark reminder that forest protection must be holistic, not selective.
Read: 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment: Forests Under Fire and 2025 Priority Actions for Governments
REDD+is a framework under the Paris Agreement that helps developing countries reduce deforestation and forest degradation. The ‘+’ includes conserving forests, enhancing carbon stocks and sustainable management.
Countries can earn results-based payments for cutting emissions – creating a strong incentive to protect forests. As carbon markets expand, REDD+ can guide smarter, fairer forest finance.
This report from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) looks back on how REDD+ has been developed and implemented over the past 10 years, its future potential and the implications for communities, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Who it’s for: Carbon market stakeholders, businesses, investors, NGOs, national policy advisors
Local lens: In Indonesia, REDD+ is shaped more by domestic politics and local actors than by international pressure. With a strong economy and powerful private sector interests, progress happens when national goals align with climate action. REDD+ supports—but doesn’t steer—Indonesia’s forest agenda.
Read: Forests, Climate, Biodiversity and People: Assessing a Decade of REDD+
Learn more: CIFOR-ICRAF has released findings from its Global Comparative Study on REDD+ (2009–2024) – the largest research program on REDD+. This 15-year study aims to inform emerging climate mechanisms such as carbon markets and restoration efforts.
Forest data is key for practitioners and decision makers. Tools like Global Forest Watch offer near real-time forest monitoring through satellite data and alerts. By making deforestation visible, it enables governments, communities and conservation actors to respond quickly to threats.
Who it’s for: Governments, scientists, conservation groups
Local lens: In Uganda, the Forest Watcher app helps rangers track deforestation and catch illegal loggers in remote reserves protecting endangered chimpanzees.
Learn more: Global Forest Watch
Even as deforestation is slowing down, forests are now facing growing pressure from the climate crisis, particularly wildfires, as well as pests. So, just how serious are these threats, and what can be done to address them?
Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the annual State of the World’s Forests report highlights the importance of innovations in conservation and sustainable use, supported by inclusive and responsible approaches. These include new technologies, finance and measures to address gender inequities and other barriers to participation.
Who it’s for: Forest managers, researchers, donors, educators
Local lens: In Vanuatu, traditional water taro gardens are building resilience by adopting new technologies, practices and plant varieties, helping local communities adapt to climate change while improving food security (chapter 4).
Read: The State of the World’s Forests 2024
Communication and storytelling are vital tools for forest management. By fostering a sense of connection with nature, we can inspire people to join us in protecting and restoring forests and other crucial ecosystems.
The Forest Storytelling and Engagement for Change toolkit helps communities and forest stakeholders use storytelling to drive forest restoration and biodiversity conservation. Through five key tools, it includes valuable lessons in identifying and engaging new audiences and developing powerful stories.
Who it’s for: Practitioners, communicators, stakeholder managers
Read: Forest Storytelling and Engagement for Change toolkit
We hope you found these resources helpful. If you’d like to learn more, consider joining us our two upcoming forest-themed events: GLF Forests (24–25 April) and Forests, People, Planet (27 May) at the IMFN Global Forum 2025.
The GLF Knowledge Hub is an ever-expanding library of resources on sustainable landscapes. Explore our one-stop shop for interviews, videos, publications and learn more about sustainable landscapes.
Finally…
…thank you for reading this story. Our mission is to make them freely accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.
We believe that lasting and impactful change starts with changing the way people think. That’s why we amplify the diverse voices the world needs to hear – from local restoration leaders to Indigenous communities and women who lead the way.
By supporting us, not only are you supporting the world’s largest knowledge-led platform devoted to sustainable and inclusive landscapes, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a global movement that’s working tirelessly to create a healthier world for us all.
Every donation counts – no matter the amount. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
