“Forests and trees are essential components of agri-food systems. Removing forest cover, particularly in the tropics, increases local temperatures and disrupts rainfall patterns in ways that exacerbate the local impacts of global climate change, with potentially serious consequences for agricultural productivity,” the report warned.
The report calls for innovation in the forest sector, as well as urgent action by the international community, to address these challenges and make progress towards achieving the Goals. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Forest fires and pests
Wildfires around the world are more intense and frequent than ever before, even in areas that were previously unaffected. In 2023 alone, wildfires released an estimated 6,687 megatons of carbon dioxide.
Specifically, fires in the boreal zone just south of the Arctic reached a new high in 2021, accounting for nearly a quarter of total wildfire emissions, up from 10 percent previously estimated. Food and Drug Administration said.
Climate change is also making forests more vulnerable to invasive species, with insects, pests and pathogens threatening the growth and survival of trees. Pinewood nematode, a microscopic parasitic roundworm, has already caused significant damage to native pine forests in some countries in Asia.
Parts of North America are expected to face devastating damage from insects and diseases by 2027.
This destruction of forests is a serious threat, as the demand for global timber production is at a record high of four billion cubic meters per year. Projections show that the global demand for roundwood could grow by 49 percent between 2020 and 2050.
In addition, nearly six billion people depend on non-timber forest products, and 70 percent of the world’s poor rely on wild species for their basic needs.
Innovative solutions
FAO believes that science can help address these challenges and identifies five types of innovation that enhance the potential of forests to address global challenges: technological, social, policy, institutional and financial.
An example of such innovation is the use of AI for data analysis and innovative financing for forest conservation.
Because innovation can create winners and losers, FAO advocates inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches to ensure fair distribution of benefits among men, women and youth across all socio-economic and ethnic groups.
Ultimately, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu hopes the new report will “scale up evidence-based innovation in forestry.”
“I believe it will also support FAO members and other stakeholders in enabling responsible, inclusive and essential innovation in the forest sector to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of agri-food systems for a better world and a better future for all,” he added.
