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The report concludes that Goal 7 was achieved through the adoption of the Paris Agreement, specifically Article 5, which dedicates a section to land use and forests. As of September 2017, 116 of 165 countries that submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) included land use in quantified emissions targets. The document also notes that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) began piloting a framework for REDD+ results-based payments in late 2017, although many countries' land-use targets remain conditional on international financing.

The report assesses the potential for natural infrastructure to complement the Cantareira Water Supply System in São Paulo, Brazil. Using a Green-Gray Assessment, it finds that targeted reforestation of 4,000 hectares could reduce sediment pollution by 36%, yielding a 28% return on investment over 30 years by reducing water treatment and dredging costs. While forest restoration is likely to slightly increase dry season water flows through a 'sponge effect' and fog capture in cloud forests, the overall impact on annual water availability is estimated to be marginal. The document provides a roadmap for scaling these investments, suggesting blended finance models and improved landowner engagement to overcome risks and uncertainties.

New data from the TerraClass dataset reveals that tropical secondary vegetation in the Brazilian Amazon increased by over 70% between 2004 and 2014, growing from 10 million to more than 17 million hectares. This regrowth represents nearly a quarter of the total area ever cleared in the region. Despite this increase, Brazil's primary satellite monitoring systems, PRODES and DETER, are designed to track primary deforestation and do not capture tropical regrowth, leaving the phenomenon largely invisible in official deforestation rates. The document argues that this regeneration does not necessarily equal primary forest in biological or ecological terms and calls for rigorous analysis to determine how it interacts with the Brazilian Forest Code, carbon reduction goals, and land-use efficiency.

The policy brief identifies a 'normative vacuum' and legal inconsistencies that hinder the conversion of environmental fines into preservation and recovery services in Brazil. It highlights that while Decree 6.514/2008 allows for such conversion, a lack of procedural rules and technical capacity at Ibama prevents its application. The authors specifically argue that Article 42 of the 2012 Forest Code contains a drafting error that makes its fine conversion program legally impossible to implement as written.

In 2015, Côte d’Ivoire's financial flows for REDD+ were significantly lower than the investment needs required to reach its 2030 goal of 20% forest cover. While 16.8 billion FCFA was aligned with REDD+ objectives, a much larger sum of 84.2 billion FCFA was spent on 'grey' activities—primarily agricultural intensification—that could potentially drive further deforestation without stronger safeguards. The report highlights a critical funding gap, noting that the minimum annual cost for reforestation and agroforestry is estimated at 173 billion FCFA. It argues that the government and international partners have a major opportunity to 'green' existing agricultural investments and calls for the creation of a National REDD+ Fund and improved land-use planning to leverage finance more effectively.

The report finds that public finance for REDD+ objectives in Côte d’Ivoire is severely insufficient, with 2015 investments of FCFA 16.8 billion representing a small fraction of the estimated FCFA 173 billion annual need for the 2030 forest cover target. A significant amount of public funding (FCFA 84.2 billion) is classified as 'grey finance'—agricultural intensification that lacks safeguards and may drive deforestation. The analysis highlights critical gaps in national planning, underfunding of land-use planning and land tenure, and institutional weaknesses in agencies like SODEFOR. It argues that 'greening' existing agricultural finance and creating a National REDD+ Fund could significantly increase aligned investment.

The document outlines the procedural steps and criteria for rural properties ≤ 4 fiscal modules in Bahia to regularize their environmental status. It details the roles of the CEFIR registry and the environmental agency in analyzing the Term of Commitment, Environmental Recovery Plans (PRA), and Degraded Area Recovery Plans (PRAD). The flowchart specifies different requirements based on whether Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Reserves were consolidated before specific dates (July 22, 2008, and May 28, 2012), and defines recovery methods such as natural regeneration or planting native species. It also establishes specific limits for consolidated APPs based on property size: up to 10% for properties ≤ 2 fiscal modules and up to 20% for those between 2 and 4 fiscal modules.

Nigel Sizer reviews five years leading WRI's forest program, highlighting the creation of Global Forest Watch and the Global Restoration Initiative. He notes the role of technology in monitoring deforestation and the commitment of private sector companies to deforestation-free supply chains. Looking forward, he identifies the need for scalable solutions, improved certification standards, and expanded land rights for indigenous communities and poor farmers.

The report evaluates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) against the objectives of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF). It finds that while the SDGs include a highly ambitious, quantifiable target to halt deforestation by 2020, they lack quantifiable targets for forest restoration and reforestation. The document notes that the absence of specific indicators for measuring these goals may hinder the translation of the targets into action.

The report establishes a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), assessing ten goals related to halting deforestation, restoring landscapes, and improving governance. While it notes that 'overall progress remains slow', it identifies positive trends such as the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and an increase in clean cookstove distribution. The document highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding non-agricultural drivers of deforestation and domestic public spending on forests, while noting that 'data are mostly trending in the right direction'.

The report evaluates the early progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 to 8.8 billion tonnes by 2030. While it notes positive trends such as the inclusion of deforestation targets in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, it highlights that overall progress remains slow. Key challenges include the lack of a coordinated effort to reduce non-agricultural deforestation, slow disbursement of REDD+ funds, and ongoing violence against forest-dependent communities.

The report assesses the early progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress remains slow. It highlights a lack of coordinated tracking for non-agricultural deforestation drivers and significant gaps in meeting restoration targets. Key achievements include the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased finance for clean cookstoves and REDD+ payments, though the latter's disbursements lag behind commitments.

This executive summary introduces a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) and provides an initial assessment of its ten goals one year after their signing. While noting the creation of new initiatives and commitments, the report concludes that global progress has been slow and urgent action is required. Key findings include a lack of deceleration in natural forest harvesting, significant gaps in sustainable certification for soy and beef, and a lag between REDD+ funding commitments and actual disbursements.

The report evaluates the first year of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress remains slow. Key achievements include the integration of a zero-deforestation goal into the UN Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves. However, the report finds no evidence that the rate of natural forest clearing is slowing, and significant gaps remain in forest restoration targets and the protection of indigenous land rights.

The report evaluates the first year of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress toward eliminating natural forest loss by 2030 remains slow. Key achievements include the inclusion of a deforestation goal in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, which reached USD 260 million in 2014. However, the report finds no evidence that the annual rate of natural forest deforestation is decreasing. Progress in agricultural commodity supply chains is mixed, with certified sustainable palm oil growing by 18% globally, while certified sustainable soy represents only 2% of the market. Restoration efforts are underway, with 62.59 million hectares committed via the Bonn Challenge, though this is only 42% of the 2020 target. Financial flows for forest emission reductions have increased, with bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) rising from an annual average of USD 365 million (2002-07) to USD 744 million (2008-13), but actual REDD+ disbursements lag behind the USD 3 billion in commitments made between 2008 and 2014.

The Obama administration's FY 2016 budget proposal emphasizes an "all of the above" energy strategy and the Climate Action Plan, proposing significant funding increases for the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Key investments include $7.4 billion for clean energy technology, a proposed $4 billion Clean Power Plan Incentive Fund, and $1.29 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative. The budget targets specific greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2020, 2025, and 2050, while funding diverse initiatives ranging from solar and wind energy to sustainable transportation and international climate finance.

The document argues that LULUCF should be treated separately in the EU's 2030 climate framework to prevent its carbon sink from being used to reduce mitigation efforts in energy, industry, and transport. It emphasizes that land-use policies must prioritize biodiversity and environmental integrity over simple carbon sequestration, specifically recommending the rewetting of peatlands and the end of subsidies for unsustainable farming. Globally, it calls for the EU to address its role as a major importer of deforestation-embodied products through mandatory standards and a new EU Action Plan on deforestation.

The New York Declaration on Forests Action Agenda provides a framework for governments, companies, indigenous peoples, and multilateral institutions to combat deforestation. It highlights significant progress, such as Brazil's 71% reduction in deforestation by 2013 and the adoption of zero-deforestation policies by major palm oil traders covering 60% of global trade. The agenda details specific roles for stakeholders, including the implementation of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ and the commitment of indigenous peoples to protect 400 million hectares of forests. It also notes financial commitments from developed nations like Germany, Norway, and the UK to provide predictable REDD+ financing.

The document highlights a trend of increasingly destructive wildfires in the U.S., driven by climate change and a lack of funding for hazardous fuel reduction. It notes that forests are shifting from carbon sinks to emitters and that the U.S. Forest Service faces significant budget cuts despite rising fire risks. The author proposes that developing markets for woody biomass and bioenergy could provide a sustainable funding mechanism for forest restoration and wildfire prevention.

The SEI Research Forum Book of Abstracts compiles 60 research summaries from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) staff. The research spans four primary themes: Managing Environmental Systems, Reducing Climate Risk, Transforming Governance, and Rethinking Development. Key areas of investigation include the 'planetary boundaries' framework, the socio-economic drivers of clean cooking and sanitation in India and Africa, the effectiveness of climate adaptation policies in the UK and Sweden, and the geopolitical dynamics of climate negotiations involving BASIC countries. The document highlights a mix of completed research, ongoing projects, and future research ideas aimed at bridging science and policy for sustainable development.