Governments worldwide are being urged to prioritize forest conservation in political agendas, following a major conference hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF and the Global Landscapes Forum. Held in Bonn and online, the event attracted over 3,000 participants from 145 countries who emphasized urgent forest action ahead of UN Climate COP30.
Experts highlighted that ending deforestation and restoring tropical forests could create 100,000 jobs and generate $170 billion in ecosystem services annually. However, this would require a major economic shift to one that values nature more accurately.
CIFOR-ICRAF released a 15-year study on the REDD+ initiative, showing progress in forest monitoring but also pointing out flaws such as selective reporting and weak reference levels. Despite these, REDD+ remains a key tool for climate finance.
Speakers warned of dire consequences if deforestation continues, including climate instability and global agricultural impacts. With nearly 18% of the Amazon already lost, scientists fear approaching a catastrophic tipping point. Experts also noted the growing role of artificial intelligence in tracking and combating deforestation more efficiently.
