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This working paper, updated in November 2019, examines the implementation of REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) over the last decade, focusing on lessons learned from national, subnational, and project-level initiatives to inform future forest-based climate change mitigation.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International condemning the 2019 Amazon wildfires, attributing them to the neoliberal policies of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the expansion of agribusiness, mining, and logging.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International condemning the 2019 Amazon wildfires, attributing them to the neoliberal policies of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the expansion of corporate agribusiness, mining, and timber industries.

This technical annex assesses progress toward Goal 1 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to halve natural forest loss globally by 2020 and end it by 2030. The report finds that the world is not on track to meet these targets, as average annual global gross tree cover loss and carbon emissions from tropical forests increased between 2014 and 2018 compared to historical baselines, despite a decline in loss observed in 2018.

This technical annex assesses progress toward the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) Goal 2, which aims to eliminate deforestation from agricultural commodity production (palm oil, soy, paper, and beef) by 2020. The report finds that current efforts by governments and companies are insufficient to meet this target, noting a stagnation in new corporate commitments and significant gaps in reporting, transparency, and the inclusion of indirect suppliers.

This technical annex assesses Goal 6 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which sought the inclusion of ambitious, quantitative forest conservation and restoration targets for 2030 within the post-2015 global development framework. The document concludes that Goal 6 was achieved through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, though it identifies significant weaknesses in how these goals are measured and reported.

This executive summary evaluates the progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) five years after its 2014 inception. It concludes that achieving the 2020 targets is nearly impossible, as tropical deforestation continues at unsustainable rates and restoration efforts are too slow and often occur outside natural forests. While some governments and companies have taken action, these efforts are described as isolated and insufficient to catalyze systemic change.

This executive summary evaluates progress five years after the 2014 New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), concluding that the goals to halve tropical deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030 are unlikely to be met. The report highlights an acceleration in the loss of primary forests, inadequate restoration progress, and a significant gap between 'grey' finance for agriculture and 'green' finance for forest conservation.

This executive summary evaluates the progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) five years after its 2014 inception. It concludes that the 2020 goals of halving tropical deforestation and restoring 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes are likely unattainable, as tropical deforestation continues at an unsustainable rate and restoration efforts have largely occurred outside natural forests.

The New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) Endorser Perspectives Report evaluates progress five years after the 2014 launch of the NYDF. Based on consultations with 84 endorsers, the report finds that while many commitments have been made, global deforestation has accelerated by 44% since 2014, and the world is not on track to meet its collective forest goals. The report identifies critical barriers—including weak governance, insufficient finance, and insecure land tenure—and outlines eight key lessons to transition from high-level commitments to measurable implementation.

This report presents the perspectives of signatories of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) five years after its 2014 inception. It evaluates progress toward ten global goals to end natural forest loss by 2030, identifying systemic barriers such as weak governance, insufficient financing, and land tenure insecurity, while highlighting successful multi-stakeholder partnerships and nature-based solutions.

This report by the Forest Declaration Assessment (UNDP) evaluates the progress of signatories of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) five years after its 2014 launch. Based on consultations with 84 signatories—including governments, companies, NGOs, and indigenous organizations—the document identifies critical barriers to ending natural forest loss by 2030 and outlines eight key lessons to accelerate implementation. It emphasizes that while high-level commitments are numerous, measurable action is lagging, with tropical primary forest loss increasing by 44% between 2002-13 and the reporting period.

This executive summary by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the economic transition of the Berau District in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, from a coal-dependent economy to one based on palm oil. The study finds that shifting from coal to a palm oil mono-crop is unsustainable and risks food security. It recommends a transition plan focusing on RSPO certification, increasing production efficiency, diversifying into other high-value crops like pepper and cocoa, and developing downstream processing refineries to capture added value and increase government revenue.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the potential for Brazil to increase agricultural and beef production without further deforestation. Using stochastic frontier models based on 2006 Agricultural Census data, the research quantifies the production gains possible by eliminating inefficiencies and the corresponding capital and operational investments required to achieve them.

This briefing, produced by the NYDF Assessment Partners, Chatham House, and Climate Focus, evaluates progress in forest governance across nine tropical forest countries. It examines twelve indicators across five governance areas—legal and institutional frameworks, tenure and resource allocation, demand-side measures, transparency, and the rule of law—to assess how these nations are working toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF). While some countries have improved their legal frameworks and transparency through international partnerships, the report highlights systemic weaknesses in the rule of law, a lack of cross-sectoral policy coherence, and persistent challenges in securing land tenure for local communities.

This research paper evaluates the effectiveness of market-based governance in the soy-meat value chain, arguing that current supply chain initiatives are fragmented and fail to address systemic drivers of environmental impact. The authors advocate for a shift toward network governance to improve coordination and trust between global actors.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the proposed changes to the Brazilian Forest Code (Law 12.651/2012) introduced by the rapporteur of Provisional Measure (MPV) 867/2018. The authors argue that the proposal risks paralyzing environmental regularization programs, increasing legal insecurity, and incentivizing illegal deforestation by shifting the responsibility for regularization from landowners to state agencies and altering the calculation of Legal Reserves.

A research paper quantifying tropical deforestation emissions from 2010–2014, finding that agriculture and forestry expansion caused ~2.6 gigatonnes CO2 per year. The study highlights that 29%–39% of these emissions were driven by international trade, with cattle and oilseeds as primary drivers and the EU and China as major importers.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative warns that proposed amendments to Provisional Measure (MPV) 867/2018 threaten the implementation of Brazil's new Forest Code (Law 12,651/2012). While the original purpose of the MPV is to extend the deadline for entry into the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), the authors argue that accompanying amendments could reintroduce rejected rules and create legal uncertainty.

This policy brief analyzes the impact of rural credit in Brazil, finding that increased lending significantly boosts agricultural productivity and municipal GDP while promoting a shift from pasture to cropland. Crucially, the research indicates that rural credit can increase forest areas by allowing farmers to produce more on existing land, thereby supporting conservation goals. However, the brief notes that the current distribution system is outdated and fragmented, recommending gradual reforms to optimize credit access and further reduce deforestation pressures.