Forests and the green economy

Rio+20 Briefing #2

July 2011 - On the road to Rio+20, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and civil society organisations have been conducting extensive research on the appropriate role of forests in the transition to the “green economy.” The studies have overwhelmingly found that forests can be a powerful tool for sustainable economic development and successful global transition to a green economy if action plans are implemented over a carefully planned governance framework.

Forests naturally embody the ideal characteristics of a green economy: low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive [1]. They also offer exceptional opportunities for green employment with jobs that can reduce consumption of energy and raw materials, avoid greenhouse gas emissions, and minimise waste and pollution while protecting and restoring ecosystems [2]. In order to be brought to fruition, these natural characteristics of forests require proper governance.

The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) will have the opportunity to draft a framework of forest governance schemes with the context of the global initiative to transition to a green economy. Products and services from forests not only constitute a significant portion of the global economy but they are also tools that can instigate sustainable development within the context of a green economy. Forest management, meanwhile, adds to production and services by bolstering the green job market. Reports produced by UNEP, UNECE - in cooperation with the FAO, and the Pardee Center all make the case that forests must play a major role in transitioning to a more sustainable economic system.

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