Posted on February, 25 2016

Humanity is likely to use more wood and other forest products in more ways as the future unfolds. A transformed forest sector could ensure this is good news for the planet and people living in or near forests.

This transformation would protect vulnerable forests from illegal logging, encroachment or conversion. It would consign bad practices to the history books – no more plantations that displace communities or take away their livelihoods; no more dirty pulp mills; no more landfills full of paper fit for recycling.  

Collaboration is at the core of this transformation – whether between those living and working in the same landscape or along international supply chains. The case of smallholders in Laos supplying certified rattan to supply Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain is an example of both. The results described in this report are all due to WWF’s collaborators – participants in its global platforms such as the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) and New Generation Plantations (NGP), stakeholders in fora such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Forests Dialogue (TFD) and our many other forest sector partners ranging from global companies to the smallest community forest enterprises.
 
In recent months, forests were elevated on the global agenda through their inclusion in the Paris Climate Deal and the endorsement of an ambitious and comprehensive forest target in the Sustainable Development Goals. Now more than ever, the forest sector has the opportunity to play a central role in the transition to a greener, more inclusive, “one planet” economy.

Major highlights

Year in Review
A look at WWF's most notable achievements in forest sector transformation between July 2013 and June 2014.

Living Forests Report Chapter 5: Saving Forests at Risk
WWF's latest analysis shows that  eleven places in the world – 10 of which are in the tropics – will account for over 80 per cent of forest loss globally by 2030.

Plantations and people
Plantations provide around 60 per cent of global commercial wood supply, and that volume is expected to rise as demand for wood and paper products increases. The New Generation Plantations (NGP) model shows that plantations, a contentious topic in many areas, can be more than just an efficient way of producing wood.

Valuing responsible forestry through Climate Smart Forestry
Well-managed forests have an important role to play in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Now a practical methodology – known as RIL-C – has been developed for measuring and verifying GHG emissions reductions achieved through RIL practices. 

Monitoring paper giants APP and APRIL
A look at the companies' progress in FY15.

Community forestry in Gabon opens economic pathways for locals
The first ever community forest attributed in Gabon is showing the way for responsible resource management, which, in addition to environmental benefits, yields attractive benefits for the community. 

Bringing together stakeholders to promote timber legality
The Intersectoral Pact for Legal Timber in Colombia is aiming to bring about real change to curb illegal logging in a country where around 42 per cent of the total timber production is illegal.

Smallholders and sustainability
The US timber industry is a good example of a growing trend of smallholders understanding the message of sustainability, and making an increasingly important contribution to global efforts.

Big steps towards reduced footprints
Consumers rarely see the total environmental impact on water, air, climate and biodiversity of the products they buy. But that could be changing in Europe thanks to a new EU initiative. An increasing numbers of EU companies will soon be calculating the environmental footprint of their products and will include all their impact, 
including on biodiversity.  

Weaving market connections: sustainable rattan
A look at how Easter baskets in Switzerland are helping protect tropical forests and benefiting local communities in the Greater Mekong.

And much more...