Forests are indispensable. They are central for addressing the interlinked climate, biodiversity, and nature crises, yet they continue to be destroyed at alarming rates – threatening planetary health and the well-being of future generations.
International forest pledges have committed their signatories to halting and reversing global deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. But the world is not on track to meet those 2030 forest goals. On the contrary, this annual assessment report reveals a sobering trajectory of ongoing or increasing global deforestation and degradation in 2023:
- We are now one-third of the way through this decade, and collectively, we have barely made a dent in curbing deforestation.
- Irreplaceable primary forests continue to face inexcusable destruction.
- The total area of forests affected by degradation is immense – globally, an area twice the size of Germany fell from a higher to a lower ecological integrity class in 2022.
- Forest fires are growing in frequency and intensity around the world, largely due to human-induced climate change and intentional fire-setting to clear land. This trend of worsening fires puts achieving the 2030 forest goals even further out of reach.
- Tracking progress on restoration is hindered by fragmented and incomplete data, but local, regional, and global efforts to improve restoration monitoring are making serious headway.
- Forested Key Biodiversity Areas, which are essential habitats for precious forest-dependent species, suffered over a million hectares of tree cover loss in 2023.
We cannot afford for these trends to continue. All leaders must unite to prioritize forest protection, conservation, and restoration. The world cannot sustain its “business-as-usual” exploitation and destruction of forests and other natural ecosystems. Without a widespread, transformative embrace of alternative economic models, the world will not meet its ambitious goals for sustainable development, climate, and nature.
The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment report focuses on tracking the overarching forest goals: halting deforestation, halting forest degradation, restoring 30% of degraded forest area, and halting the loss of forest areas critical for biodiversity. It also presents a special analysis of the implications of worsening forest fires for achieving the 2030 forest goals.
