Zero net deforestation: status report
In a year when targets on forest loss and restoration are likely to be set nationally and at the UN level, this study by WWF-UK and Climate Advisers quantifies the ambition of commitments currently stated by forest countries to slow and reverse their forest loss – individually and collectively. The commitments are assessed against two targets: first, the goal of Zero Net Deforestation and Degradation by 2020, as advocated by WWF; and, second, halving the rate of natural forest loss by 2020 and eliminating it by 2030. The latter is based on the timeline in New York Declaration on Forests made in September 2014. The report focused on a sample of 14 countries which together represent over half of current and projected tropical forest area loss. It draws attention to the ambitious targets of some countries and the need for greater international support for meeting them. It also identifies opportunities where additional ambition is possible. In selecting the 14 countries, focused on those that fall within 11 global ‘deforestation fronts’ identified by WWF earlier in 2015.