Intact forests are one of the best nature-based solutions to climate change. Protecting them would help meet global climate, biodiversity and sustainable development targets.
To meet this challenge, five leading organizations have joined to form the Forests for Life Partnership: Wildlife Conservation Society, Re:wild, United Nations Development Programme, World Resources Institute and Rainforest Foundation Norway.
What are ‘intact forests’?
Intact forests are forests free of significant human-caused degradation. Degradation has many causes, including fragmentation, logging, overhunting, and changes in the pattern of natural processes like floods and fires. The ecological integrity of these forests makes them indispensable for climate mitigation, enhancing resilience, reducing risk of natural disasters, and safeguarding biodiversity.
People must be part of the solution.
Engaging with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities is a cornerstone of intact forest conservation. This must be founded in a respect for human rights but goes far beyond that, because these communities are often active defenders of the forest, and their vast knowledge about the forests where they live is key to saving them.
We need all forests.
Forests of all kinds are essential in addressing the twin crises of climate change and mass extinction. We need to do more to protect intact forests and small endangered forest fragments, as well as restore degraded forests. Forests that are not intact, especially smaller primary forest areas, are still very environmentally valuable and form critical refuges for highly threatened species.