IUCN UNFCCC COP30 Technical Brief: Forests and Climate Change – IUCN

Report on the Role of Forests in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

I. Introduction: Forests as a Cornerstone for Global Sustainability

The upcoming COP30 summit in Belém places forests at the center of the international climate agenda. Forests represent a primary Nature-based Solution, integral to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their environmental and socio-economic contributions.

II. Contribution of Forests to Key Sustainable Development Goals

Forest ecosystems provide essential services that directly support the global sustainability framework:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: Forests are a critical tool for climate mitigation. They function as major carbon sinks, absorbing approximately one-third of annual global CO₂ emissions. This natural process is fundamental to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: As vital habitats, forests are cornerstones of terrestrial biodiversity conservation. Their health is synonymous with the protection of countless species and the preservation of ecosystem integrity.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Through the regulation of water cycles, forests ensure the stability and quality of water resources, a prerequisite for sustainable water management.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Forest resources support the livelihoods and economic well-being of hundreds of millions of individuals globally, contributing to poverty alleviation and sustainable economic activity.

III. Challenges to Forest-Related SDG Targets

Despite their importance, forests face significant threats that undermine progress towards the SDGs:

1. Deforestation and Degradation: The continued loss of forest cover diminishes their capacity to contribute to climate mitigation (SDG 13) and adaptation efforts.
2. Impact on Global Goals: This degradation has severe implications for biodiversity (SDG 15) and the stability of livelihoods dependent on forest ecosystems (SDG 1, SDG 8).

IV. Conclusion: The Imperative for Integrated Action

Recognizing the interconnected roles of forests is essential for formulating an ambitious global response to climate change. A holistic approach that integrates forest conservation and sustainable management into national and international policies is necessary to leverage their full potential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through partnerships and global cooperation as envisioned in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 13: Climate Action
     
     The article is centered on the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. It explicitly states that forests are at the “centre of the global climate agenda” and are crucial for shaping a response under the “Paris Agreement.” The text highlights their function in absorbing “nearly one-third of global CO₂ emissions,” which directly addresses climate action.
   • SDG 15: Life on Land
     
     The article’s subject is forests, a key component of terrestrial ecosystems. It directly mentions issues like “deforestation and forest degradation,” the importance of “conserving biodiversity,” and the need to manage forest resources to maintain their “vital contributions.”
   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
     
     The connection is made through the statement that forests are responsible for “regulating water cycles.” This ecosystem service is fundamental to the availability and quality of freshwater resources, which is the core focus of SDG 6.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
     
     The article connects forest health to human economic well-being by stating that they support the “livelihoods and well-being of hundreds of millions of people.” This highlights the role of natural resources in sustaining economies and providing employment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     
     The article’s call for “shaping an ambitious global response under the Paris Agreement” and placing forests at the “centre of the global climate agenda” directly relates to integrating nature-based solutions like forest conservation into high-level climate policies and strategies.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
     
     The article’s main concern is the negative impact of “continued deforestation and forest degradation,” which directly points to the need to implement the actions described in this target to maintain the vital contributions of forests.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
     
     The mention of forests’ role in “conserving biodiversity” and the threat posed by “forest degradation” aligns with the goal of this target to protect natural habitats and the species within them.
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
     
     The article identifies forests as crucial for “regulating water cycles.” This directly supports the objective of Target 6.6, which explicitly includes the protection and restoration of forests as part of managing water-related ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator for SDG 13 (Climate Action):
     
     The article explicitly mentions a quantitative measure: forests are “absorbing nearly one-third of global CO₂ emissions each year.” This can be used as an indicator to track the effectiveness of forests as a carbon sink and measure progress in climate mitigation efforts.
   • Indicator for SDG 15 (Life on Land):
     
     The article implies the rate of “deforestation and forest degradation” as a key negative indicator. Measuring the change in forest cover and the extent of degradation over time would be a direct way to track progress towards halting these trends, as discussed in the article.
   • Indicator for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
     
     The article refers to forests “supporting the livelihoods and well-being of hundreds of millions of people.” This implies a socio-economic indicator, such as the number of people or households whose primary income and subsistence are dependent on forest resources.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: iucn.org