Forests provide significant positive effects on climate stability beyond their widely recognized carbon storing and mitigating benefits. The biophysical processes supported by these ecosystems affect transfers of energy and moisture in the atmosphere, contribute to food and water security, protect human health and enhancing societal capacity to adapt to a warming planet.

Unfortunately, tropical regions lost a total of 11.1 million hectares of tree cover, according to new data available on the Global Forest Watch database developed by the World Resources Institute. This trend has prompted discussion over a potential new ‘Rainforest OPEC’ deal involving Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, three countries holding the keys to 52% of the world’s remaining primary tropical forests.

Brazil endured the destruction of 1,548,657 hectares of land in 2021, undermining the ability of the Amazon rainforest to maintain its carbon dioxide capture pace of almost two billion tons annually. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the next biggest loser, having lost some 499,059 hectares in 2021 alone.

To help combat deforestation on a global scale, leaders from 26 countries and the European Union launched the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the inaugural Forest and Climate Leaders’ Summit held as part of COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The partnership seeks to deliver the commitment made at COP26 by over 140 world leaders to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.

The FCLP represents the potential to deliver up to 30% of the emissions reductions needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, while securing global biodiversity, economic prosperity and food supplies.