Search Climate Insights Directory

The document reports that improvements in forest governance are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, noting that illegal deforestation increased from 49% to 69% between 2014 and 2020. While some progress has been made in establishing environmental frameworks and demand-side regulations, systemic challenges such as corruption, weak rule of law, and a failure to legally recognize IPLC land rights persist. The report highlights that weak forest governance causes over USD 17 billion in annual economic losses and calls for accelerated action to address legal weaknesses and enhance the participation of women and IPLCs in decision-making.

The report details Kenya's progress in climate adaptation and mitigation from July 2019 to June 2020. Key achievements include the distribution of climate information services to over 2.5 million people, the accreditation of Kenya Commercial Bank with the Green Climate Fund, and the climate-proofing of over 3,000 km of roads. However, implementation was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic, a desert locust invasion, and weak coordinating units at the county level. The document recommends ring-fencing climate finance and adopting a biennial reporting cycle to improve efficiency.

The IAI Executive Direction reports progress on transdisciplinary research, particularly regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases in the Caribbean and drought monitoring in the La Plata basin. The report highlights the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program and the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary Academy to improve the interface between science and public policy in the Americas.

The 2021 NYDF Progress Assessment finds that national climate pledges for forests meet only 50% of their mitigation potential, and annual government investments of USD 2.4 billion represent only 0.5–5% of the required funding. While some progress in reducing forest loss has been noted, global deforestation and degradation continue, necessitating a whole-of-society approach and the integration of forest goals into macroeconomic policy.

The report finds that while the Paris Agreement has integrated forests into the international climate agenda, national ambitions in NDCs remain insufficient and often lack quantitative targets. Public finance for forest climate goals is a small fraction of the required amount, with 'grey' finance for deforestation-driving sectors vastly outweighing 'green' investments. While many countries have established REDD+ programs and robust monitoring systems, implementation is hindered by weak governance, widespread illegality, and a lack of secure land tenure for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). The report recommends scaling up domestic and international finance, strengthening land rights, and expanding demand-side regulations in consumer countries to curb illegal deforestation.

The report finds that while the number of non-state and subnational actors setting climate targets is growing, there is limited evidence that this ambition is translating into realized impacts. Full implementation of individual targets could reduce 2030 emissions by 2.0 to 2.5 GtCO2e/year, while international cooperative initiatives' goals could lead to a reduction of 16 GtCO2e/year. However, progress is uneven, with only half of city governments and 80% of companies meeting their 2020 targets.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.

The document reports that infrastructure is responsible for 9-17% of tropical and subtropical deforestation, while mining contributes to approximately 7% of global forest loss. Data from CDP's forest module indicates that while many regional governments have forest policies, there is a lack of operational management plans and risk assessments. The most frequently reported impact of mining and infrastructure-related forest loss is increased greenhouse gas emissions, which governments attempt to manage through integrated land-use planning, afforestation, and policy enforcement. Case studies highlight the Piura Region in Peru, where mining has driven deforestation and indigenous displacement, and New York State, where infrastructure and agriculture are primary drivers of forest loss.

The 2020 assessment concludes that the goal of restoring 150 million hectares of forest by 2020 is not on track, with global forest cover gain meeting only one fifth of the target. While political will is evident through 63 Bonn Challenge pledges totaling 172.82 million hectares, biophysical progress is hindered by data gaps and the fact that tree cover gains are often offset by ongoing deforestation. A case study of Central America highlights this dynamic, showing a net loss of 320 million hectares of tree cover between 2011 and 2018 despite significant gross gains. The report notes a growing trend of private-sector restoration pledges from companies like Amazon and Nestle, though financial transparency and systematic planning remain significant hurdles for scaling forest landscape restoration (FLR).

The report evaluates the operationalization of REDD+ and the inclusion of forest-related mitigation targets in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. While the overarching goal of including forests in a global climate agreement is considered met, the report identifies significant barriers to REDD+ implementation, including insufficient finance and a lack of quantifiable targets in many NDCs. Recent updates to NDCs show some improvement in the quality and scale of forest targets in specific countries.

The 2020 assessment of NYDF Goal 9 reveals that while nearly USD 4.7 billion in results-based finance has been committed since 2010, only 40 percent has been disbursed. The report highlights a significant gap in funding for the implementation phase of REDD+ activities and notes that carbon markets have channeled USD 2.5 billion to forests over 20 years. While private sector demand for forest carbon offsets is rising among airlines and petroleum companies, current carbon prices remain too low to meet Paris Agreement objectives. Additionally, the report details various domestic compliance schemes in countries like Australia, Canada, and China that allow for forest carbon credits.

The 2020 assessment of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) finds that progress toward reducing deforestation from extractive sectors and infrastructure is slow. Despite some national policies and corporate commitments, a lack of transparency, weak enforcement, and a continued reliance on top-down extractive economic models hinder success. The report emphasizes that ending natural forest loss by 2030 requires a paradigm shift toward valuing forests and supporting community-led sustainable development.

The 2020 NYDF Progress Assessment finds that natural forest loss has increased since 2014, failing the target to halve the rate. While governments and companies have adopted some policies and commitments, implementation is slow, transparency is limited, and the pace of large-scale infrastructure and resource extraction continues to threaten intact forests. The report highlights a critical gap between high-level policy and on-the-ground enforcement, noting that Indigenous and local communities often lack influence in development planning and face increasing repression.

The report finds that the rate of natural forest cover loss has increased since 2014, failing to meet NYDF Goal 1. Progress on Goals 3 and 4 is slow, hampered by a lack of transparency in the extractive and infrastructure sectors, weak government enforcement of environmental laws, and a systemic failure to integrate the rights of indigenous peoples and smallholders into development planning. While some governments have established protected areas and REDD+ strategies, implementation is often undermined by political instability and the prioritization of resource extraction over forest conservation.

The 2020 NYDF progress assessment finds that deforestation rates have increased since 2014, contrary to the goal of halving them. The report highlights significant risks from accelerating infrastructure development and extractive industries in tropical forests, noting a lack of transparency and accountability among governments, corporations, and financial institutions. While some grassroots movements and community-led management models show promise, systemic barriers—including political instability, power imbalances, and insufficient funding for REDD+ and poverty alleviation—hinder progress toward sustainable development and forest conservation.

The 2020 NYDF progress assessment finds that natural forest loss has increased since 2014, with infrastructure and extractive industries posing growing threats. While some governments and companies have adopted sustainability policies, implementation is slow, transparency is limited, and environmental protections are being reversed in some regions. The report highlights a significant power imbalance that marginalizes indigenous peoples and local communities, and notes that financial flows for poverty reduction and deforestation prevention remain minimal compared to non-forest-aligned investments.

The 2020 NYDF assessment finds that natural forest loss has increased since 2014, failing the goal to halve the rate by 2020. The report highlights growing threats from large-scale infrastructure and extractive industries, noting a significant lack of transparency among companies and governments. While some progress has been made in designating protected areas and developing national forest strategies, implementation remains slow, and environmental protections are often weakened. The document emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in valuing forests and the adoption of four specific strategies to align macroeconomic planning and project implementation with forest conservation and sustainable development.

The 2020 Goal 1 assessment concludes that the world is failing to halve natural forest loss and associated greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and is not on track to stop them by 2030. Using data from Global Forest Watch and the FAO, the report finds that global annual gross tree cover loss has increased by 40% since the NYDF was signed in 2014 compared to the 2001-2013 baseline. Humid tropical primary forest loss has increased by 41% on average since the baseline period. While net natural forest loss decreased slightly from 10.4 million hectares per year (2000-2010) to 7.8 million hectares per year (2010-2020), this is insufficient to meet targets. Tropical Africa is identified as an emerging frontier of forest loss, while Latin America remains the region with the highest absolute area of primary forest loss. Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and primary forest loss are also moving away from 2030 targets, with primary forest emissions 45% higher since the NYDF signing than before.

The 2020 assessment of Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) finds that global progress in forest governance remains slow, with weak legal frameworks and limited enforcement continuing to drive deforestation. While some countries have implemented positive measures—such as Indonesia's permanent Forest and Peatland Moratorium and the regional Pacto de Leticia in the Amazon—these are offset by deregulation in countries like Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. The report highlights a critical gap in land tenure, noting that only about half of the lands customarily held by Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are legally recognized. Furthermore, violence against environmental defenders reached a record high in 2019, with 212 killings reported globally.

The 2020 assessment finds that supply chain efforts have failed to eliminate deforestation from agricultural commodities, with tree cover loss in 2018 remaining similar to levels before the New York Declaration on Forests. While palm oil and timber sectors show more advanced commitment and traceability tools, the beef and soy sectors in Latin America lag significantly. Most corporate commitments lack comprehensive scope, and full traceability to the point of production remains rare. The report highlights a gap in reporting, with many influential companies failing to disclose progress, and notes that financial institutions have largely failed to set clear policies to remove deforestation from their investments.