Posted on September, 13 2019

In reaction to the 2019 New York Declaration on Forests Progress Assessment, WWF Global Forest Practice Lead, William Baldwin-Cantello said: 

“This month marks the fifth anniversary of the New York Declaration on Forests, which brought together governments, multinational companies, civil society and indigenous peoples in an effort to halve deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030. Yet, as the new NYDF report shows, there’s little progress and in fact, deforestation continues at alarming rates. While in some places tree cover has shown a welcome increase, this is often disconnected from primary forests. Additionally, there’s only lackluster progress on restoration targets and little emphasis on regeneration and restoration of natural forests.

This lack of progress can’t be taken lightly. We’re seeing unprecedented forest fires around the world due to deforestation, and the biodiversity and ecosystems we depend upon are crumbling. We’re in a state of planetary emergency. If we lose forests, we not only lose a vital carbon sink but an important source of livelihood, food, wood, clean water and many other important services.

The new NYDF report is another alarm in the dashboard of warning signals. We need to protect our most valuable forests, halt deforestation and restore forest landscapes, including natural forests that hold tremendous carbon mitigation potential. We have the knowledge and the means to make this happen. But action is needed now, before our best chance of safeguarding our natural treasures goes up in smoke.”