The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has published its biennial flagship report on the state of the world’s forests (SOFO), which calls for greater innovation in the forest sector to ensure a more sustainable future. It highlights the importance of creating an enabling environment to encourage innovation in the forest sector to tackle today’s challenges and offers practical guidance on how to achieve this.
Titled, ‘The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector Innovations Towards a More Sustainable Future,’ the report uses 18 case studies from around the world to illustrate the many ways in which forest-sector innovation can lead to positive change. It shows how new technology, policies, and inclusive approaches in forest management are rousing possibilities for protecting, restoring and using forests sustainably.
According to the report’s findings, while recent data show a significant reduction in deforestation in some countries, climate change is making forests more vulnerable to stressors such as wildfires and pests.
Noting that almost three-quarters of the world’s population uses non-timber forest products, the report cites projections that indicate large increases in wood demand by 2050.
The report finds that escalating forest stressors reveal the need for more innovation in the forest sector, including new forest management approaches, the shift towards a bioeconomy, and opportunities offered by non-wood forest products. Among barriers to innovation in the forest sector, the report cites lack of innovation culture, risk, potential limitations in various forms of capital; and unsupportive policies and regulations.
The 18 case studies presented in the report demonstrate the potential of forest-sector innovation. Organized in three groups aligned with forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, they highlight:
- Innovations that are assisting efforts to halt deforestation and maintain forests;
- Innovative approaches that are bolstering the restoration of degraded lands and expanding agroforestry; and
- Innovations that are helping to sustainably use forests and build green value chains.
The report identifies enabling actions that can help scale up responsible and inclusive innovation: raise awareness; boost innovation skills, capabilities, and knowledge; encourage transformational partnerships; ensure more and universally accessible finance for innovation; and provide an incentivizing policy and regulatory environment.
The report was released on 22 July 2024 – the opening day of the 27th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) – in Rome, Italy. Published every two years since 1995, the report serves as a key reference for governments, policymakers, practitioners, academics, students, and civil society organizations (CSOs). By informing the conservation and effective management of forest resources, it contributes to healthy, sustainable, and productive food systems. [Publication: The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector Innovations Towards a More Sustainable Future] [Publication Landing Page] [FAO Press Release] [The State of the World’s Forests Series] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on SOFO 2022]