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Forest cover loss in key biodiversity areas is particularly concerning, as these areas play an outsized role in conserving biodiversity, due to, for example, being ecologically intact, or hosting species that live in just a few geographies. But in 2022, the world’s forested key biodiversity areas lost 1.2 million hectares (Mha) of forests. The good news is that this is a 30% decrease in forest loss relative to the annual average from 2018 to 2020, indicating that the world is making strides forward in eliminating tree cover loss in these critical biodiversity sites. The bad news is that even small amounts of loss within these key biodiversity areas can significantly harm biodiversity.  

Forest cover loss in key biodiversity areas is particularly concerning, as these areas play an outsized role in conserving biodiversity, due to, for example, being ecologically intact, or hosting species that live in just a few geographies. But in 2022, the world’s forested key biodiversity areas lost 1.2 million hectares (Mha) of forests. The good news is that this is a 30% decrease in forest loss relative to the annual average from 2018 to 2020, indicating that the world is making strides forward in eliminating tree cover loss in these critical biodiversity sites. The bad news is that even small amounts of loss within these key biodiversity areas can significantly harm biodiversity.  

It is important to track progress towards ending commodity-driven deforestation through shifting to sustainable commodity production, especially in light of the GLD commitment to stop forest loss and land degradation by 2030, and the private sector goal to eliminate deforestation and ecosystem conversion within supply chains by 2025.  
Commodity-driven deforestation is defined as permanent tree cover loss due to the production of agriculture, mining, and energy infrastructure. It is measured using estimates both including and excluding fire-related losses. In 2022, 4.2 to 4.8 million hectares (Mha) of forests were destroyed permanently to make room for commodity production, mostly agriculture. This is an increase of 5.6 to 7.7% compared to 2021. The estimate that includes fire-related loss (4.8 Mha) is a slight decrease compared to a 2018 to 2020 baseline; on the other hand, if fire-related losses are excluded (4.2 Mha), then the 2022 value was 7.7% higher than the average loss in 2018 to 2020. Recent deforestation rates indicate that the world is not likely to eliminate commodity-driven deforestation by 2025 or 2030. 

It is important to track progress towards ending commodity-driven deforestation through shifting to sustainable commodity production, especially in light of the GLD commitment to stop forest loss and land degradation by 2030, and the private sector goal to eliminate deforestation and ecosystem conversion within supply chains by 2025.  
Commodity-driven deforestation is defined as permanent tree cover loss due to the production of agriculture, mining, and energy infrastructure. It is measured using estimates both including and excluding fire-related losses. In 2022, 4.2 to 4.8 million hectares (Mha) of forests were destroyed permanently to make room for commodity production, mostly agriculture. This is an increase of 5.6 to 7.7% compared to 2021. The estimate that includes fire-related loss (4.8 Mha) is a slight decrease compared to a 2018 to 2020 baseline; on the other hand, if fire-related losses are excluded (4.2 Mha), then the 2022 value was 7.7% higher than the average loss in 2018 to 2020. Recent deforestation rates indicate that the world is not likely to eliminate commodity-driven deforestation by 2025 or 2030. 

Although most tropical primary forest loss occurs in just a handful of tropical forested countries, much of this loss is driven by the production of agricultural commodities for international trade, including beef, soy, palm oil, and cocoa; and products made with these commodities such as leather and chocolate. Demand from wealthier countries, in particular, drives much of this unsustainable production. In 2017, for example, almost 1.3 million hectares (Mha) of deforestation were embodied in internationally traded commodities. The countries with the highest levels of imported deforestation that year were China, India, and the United States, responsible for importing a collective 0.49 Mha of embodied deforestation. 

Although most tropical primary forest loss occurs in just a handful of tropical forested countries, much of this loss is driven by the production of agricultural commodities for international trade, including beef, soy, palm oil, and cocoa; and products made with these commodities such as leather and chocolate. Demand from wealthier countries, in particular, drives much of this unsustainable production. In 2017, for example, almost 1.3 million hectares (Mha) of deforestation were embodied in internationally traded commodities. The countries with the highest levels of imported deforestation that year were China, India, and the United States, responsible for importing a collective 0.49 Mha of embodied deforestation. 

Enhancing rural livelihoods depends on eliminating rural poverty. While rates of rural poverty have decreased in recent years, extreme poverty still poses a major challenge in rural areas, especially in countries such as South Sudan, Honduras, and Zambia, where over 50% of the rural population lives below the national poverty line. Reducing rural poverty is particularly important in the context of climate change, since climate-smart, resilient agriculture can require significant up-front investments, expensive inputs, and higher implementation costs – additional expenses that many farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, cannot afford without additional income or financial support. 

Enhancing rural livelihoods depends on eliminating rural poverty. While rates of rural poverty have decreased in recent years, extreme poverty still poses a major challenge in rural areas, especially in countries such as South Sudan, Honduras, and Zambia, where over 50% of the rural population lives below the national poverty line. Reducing rural poverty is particularly important in the context of climate change, since climate-smart, resilient agriculture can require significant up-front investments, expensive inputs, and higher implementation costs – additional expenses that many farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, cannot afford without additional income or financial support. 

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Secure land rights play an essential role in enabling the restoration of ecosystems; defending lands that are under threat; supporting the development of profitable, sustainable agriculture; and reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In addition to formal documentation of land rights, communities and individuals need assurances that their land rights are secure and that they will accrue the benefits of, for example, improving cropland and pasture productivity, reestablishing trees, rewetting peatlands, or restoring mangroves. Without believing that they have long-term rights to land, they may have little incentive to devote their time, labor, and resources to such projects, particularly those that generate benefits over longer periods of time. Yet nearly one billion people worldwide believe they could lose part of their land or their right to use it within five years.  

Secure land rights play an essential role in enabling the restoration of ecosystems; defending lands that are under threat; supporting the development of profitable, sustainable agriculture; and reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In addition to formal documentation of land rights, communities and individuals need assurances that their land rights are secure and that they will accrue the benefits of, for example, improving cropland and pasture productivity, reestablishing trees, rewetting peatlands, or restoring mangroves. Without believing that they have long-term rights to land, they may have little incentive to devote their time, labor, and resources to such projects, particularly those that generate benefits over longer periods of time. Yet nearly one billion people worldwide believe they could lose part of their land or their right to use it within five years.