Powering a global agenda on the world’s forests

The 27th biennial session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 27) from July 22-26 2024 in Rome, amidst an oppressing heatwave. The session gathered high-level policymakers and experts from over 100 countries to address the urgent need for innovative forest solutions with the central theme, “Accelerating Forest Solutions through Innovation,”. COFO 27’s discussions also focused heavily on halting deforestation, and integrating forests with agriculture to boost food security. 

Throughout COFO 27, the link between forests and agriculture took centre stage. Sessions deeply explored this connection, focusing on how forests contribute to agroforestry, food security, water management, and climate adaptation. Forests, long regarded as vital ecosystems, play a crucial part in agriculture by regulating water cycles and sustaining biodiversity. Bridging the gap between forest management and agricultural practices is key to ensuring sustainable food systems. 

Cool forests – forest-water-climate linkages for resilient food systems 

”Practitioners on the ground are already managing water. We need to remember that climate change is primarily a water crisis, which is experienced basically as changes in the water cycle. (…) on the ground, it is all about water, droughts, floodings, and landslides. (…) We need to talk about forests for water in a way that resonates with decision-makers” , said Aida Bargués.

As the discussions at COFO 27 demonstrated, forests hold the key to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from food security to climate change. Integrating forest conservation with agricultural innovation will be essential in building a more sustainable and resilient future. The push for a forest-based bioeconomy reflects a broader recognition of forests’ economic and ecological importance, offering hope for a more sustainable global economy. 

COFO 27 showcased not only the urgency of protecting forests but also the innovative solutions that can reshape the relationship between forests, agriculture, and global sustainability. As these principles and commitments move (hopefully) forward, the world will watch to see if action can keep pace with commitments. 

An upcoming report led by the Stockholm Environment Institute, FAO, Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy aims to take stock of the current evidence base on the multiple ways that forests can provide essential ecosystem services that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. 

The report, named “Forest Benefits to Agriculture”, is a joint effort by a number of researchers around the world, and will be released in 2025. 

 Stopping and reverting deforestation 

Another key takeaway was the release of the State of the World’s Forests 2024 report, which underscored the continued deforestation crisis. The report acknowledged that, despite global commitments, deforestation driven by agricultural expansion remains a critical issue. Furthermore, it highlighted the continued need for efforts to stop and reverse deforestation and reinforced FAO’s support for integrated forest solutions that combat deforestation and enhance climate and water services.  Almost 90% of the world’s forest loss can be attributed to the expansion of agriculture, driven by increasing consumer demand for commodities such as soy, palm oil, meat, leather, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and maize, which highlights the need for stronger regulations, sustainable agricultural practices, and supply chain transparency. 

The discussions also touched upon geopolitical tensions, particularly around deforestation-free supply chains. Despite longstanding efforts to eliminate deforestation, debates emerged over trade barriers and sustainability regulations. Commodity-producing countries expressed concerns about trade restrictions, highlighting the complex relationship between economic interests and environmental goals. The need for aligned cooperation between governments, corporations, and civil society was stressed to ensure a joined approach to combat deforestation. 

International principles of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy for food and agriculture 

An interesting outcome of the session was the introduction of a proposal to develop international principles for a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy. This initiative, set to be further discussed in December, highlights forests’ potential in creating a bioeconomy that not only supports food systems but also contributes to global sustainability. A sustainable forest-based bioeconomy seeks to transition away from fossil fuel dependency by promoting renewable biological resources, fostering ecosystem restoration, and supporting Indigenous livelihoods. During COFO, an ad hoc working group within FAO to develop international principles of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy for food and agriculture was proposed and will be discussed by the FAO Council in December. 

COFO27 presented a significant opportunity to talk about biodiversity loss, with a focus on protecting vital ecosystems like forests. The conference underscored the irreplaceable role of forests in feeding the global population, mitigating climate change, reducing natural disaster risks, and providing freshwater. Similarly, COP16’s priorities align with these goals, emphasizing the need to address the impacts of consumption and monitor supply chains to better understand the entrenched losses of forests and biodiversity. These events highlight the urgency of coordinated global action to safeguard ecosystems and ensure sustainable development. 

Find here the Report of the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry – COFO/2024/REP