Forests are vital for ecological balance, offering benefits like carbon sequestration, soil protection, and water regulation, while supporting biodiversity and livelihoods. However, deforestation and degradation, driven by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and unsustainable practices, threaten these essential services. Without action, this damage can lead to long-term effects on biodiversity and climate stability.
Market-based initiatives aim to conserve forests and promote sustainable land use through:
Forest certification programmes: Ensuring sustainable logging to protect biodiversity and forest health.
Agroforestry systems: Integrating trees with crops to maintain forest cover and enhance productivity.
High conservation value assessments: Identifying and protecting ecologically significant areas.
No-deforestation commitments: Encouraging companies to adopt deforestation-free sourcing with transparent monitoring.
Protection of non-forest ecosystems: Expanding conservation to peatlands and savannahs for better carbon storage and biodiversity.