SDG: 15: Life on Land

Issue: Measures to protect forests from deforestation and restore degraded

forests

Student Officer: Gia Hamed

Position: Deputy Chair

Introduction Forests are very important for regulating the climate, sustaining communities and supporting biodiversity, but us, the people who depend on these forests are slowly damaging the environment. Deforestation and forest degradation are often confused. Deforestation is the long term loss of forests, with no guarantee that the forest will be able to re establish, and this results is a decrease of forest area and size. Forest degradation does not involve a reduction is forest area but the quality decrease in these forests. Forest degradation usually leads to full scale deforestation however degraded forests are more easily converted to agricultural lands. Deforestation occurs when forests are converted to non forest uses, such as being used for agriculture or road construction. forest degradation occurs when forest ecosystems lose their capacity to provide the important services and goods to people and nature.

Deforestation and forest degradation are the biggest threats to forests worldwide, where over half of the tropical forests have been destroyed since the 1960s. Also, every second, more than one hectare of tropical forests are either being destroyed or drastically degraded, by us, humans. The degradation and loss of these forests are affect many species, and does not allow for forests to provide its essential services like clean air and water or healthy soils. Deforestation and forest degradation also impact the livelihood of 1.6 billion people, whose living depending on these forests, where one billion of them are amongst the world's poorest.

Definition of Key Terms Deforestation

The action of wiping out or clearing large amounts of trees in forests by humans. Deforestation results in the loss of habitats and animals, as well as climate change.

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Restore

To bring back something or to put back something to its natural estate or condition. When you restore something you are bringing it back to what it was before.

Degraded

For something to lose its capacity or for it to lose its quality or worth. For example forest degradation is when the forest is still there but with less trees, species, plants etc. leading the forest to be less valuable. Smoke and pollution are examples of ways to degrade the environment.

Biodiversity

Having a variety and a range of different species, animals and plants living in one place. For example, the tropical rainforest covers less than 10% of the worlds surface but contains 90% of earth's species.

Livelihood

A way of living, bringing a person the necessities of life whether its food, water, shelter, income etc. that supports you financially.

Sustainable

For something to be maintained, developed or to be “everlasting”. For example to keep our natural resources from running out.

Migration

Moving from one place to another.

Indigenous

A group of people, animals or plants that are native to an original area.

Major Countries and Organisations Brazil

Brazil once had the highest deforestation rate in the world. In 2005, it had its largest forest removed completely. Between May 2000 and August 2006, Brazil lost approximately 150,000 km of forest, which is an area larger than Greece. Around 30% of the deforestation in Brazil is because of small farmers, where the rate of deforestation is higher in areas inhabited by the Legal Amazons private land, being 89%. The main causes in which deforestation is occurring in Brazil is the cattle ranching and infrastructure, for hydroelectric power, mining activities, soybean production and logging. Brazil's environment minister Edson Duarte said that “illegal logging is the main factor behind the increase in deforestation in the Amazon”. There are several reasons to why Brazil's deforestation rate has decreased dramatically the past few years is because of the involvement of the government and enforcement

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actions by prosecutors. Political leaders such as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the Minister of Environment has claimed credit for the role of soy and beef in the Amazon. Due to the societies pressure of these supply chains. By the end of the 1980s, the loss of biodiversity and the deformation rate in Brazil had become a serious global issue. This resulted in a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro to come up with plans to reduce greenhouse gasses in Brazil. “We are encouraging the Brazilian government to fully endorse the Completed Reduction proposal” said scientist Paulo Moutinho, coordinates of the climate change program.

India

India has been trying to reach its goal of keeping 33% of its geographical area under forest cover for decades however in 2017, a report by State of Forest shows that it is struggling to get above 22%. Due to India's economic development, there has been a rapid growth in its deforestation and degradation in forests. According to the governments data, 14,000 sq km of forests were cleared just to accommodate 23,716 industrial projects across India for the past 30 years. With a large amount of India's population depending on forests for their livelihoods, the government is aiming to control the forest degradation and reduce the dependency on forest supplies. As the Indian government has initiated several measures to increase forest and tree cover across India. Ways such as a tree plantation programmes as well as the National Mission for a Green India being taken place to enhance the quality of these forests and receive and restore what's left. Harsh Vardhan, India's environment minister, said there has been a report that shows a “heartening increase in very dense forest, which absorbs maximum carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” He made is apparent that the increase was part of India's commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Amazon Watch

This organisation is a non profit organisation in which was founded to protect the rights on indigenous people in the Amazon. As well as to focus its work on deformation and global warming. It helps not only support and defend the rights of indigenous peoples with long term partnership to strengthen their capacity to advocate their rights but also comes up with strategic ways to stop deforestation. Amazon Watch is an organisation that donors and values cultural and biological diversity and aim to create a sustainable and developed ecosystem where they work hand in hand with the indigent allies, to protect life, land and culture.

United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD)

The United Nations collaborated with a programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries that build upon the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation. This programme process and promotes the involvement of all stakeholders including indigenous people. It partners with countries and other organisations and helps support their aid to help deforestation. It helps counties build institutional capacity to support and design and implement

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multipurpose forest inventories, like in Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay. As well as the assistance with governance assessments whether its by legal preparedness, land tenure, safeguards or sustainable forest management. It also works on assistance with capacity building for development of land use investment plants. It has worked with developing Zambia's Forest Investment Programme and could be used to leverage resources and investments for the country. Adding on, it supports countries such as Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe in providing lessons and showing the best practices to address tenure issues. As well as monitoring and assisting with the national forests and greenhouse gas inventories.

Timeline of Events

Date Description of event

1950’s Deforestation had just become a serious concern to humans across the world.

1992 Conferences took place called United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after being proposed in 1990.

May 6 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity - 180 parties involved.

2013 International Day of Forests was launched to raise awareness on the importance of forests and biodiversity.

September 7-11 2015

XIV World Forestry hosted in Durban, calling for new partnerships with forests, agriculture, finance, energy, water and engaged with indigenous people and the local community.

2015 Progress and efforts made to slow down deforestation from 7.3 million hectares per year in 1990s to 3.3 million hectares.

July 2019 The International Conference on Working Across Sectors to Halt Deforestation and Increase Forest Area will be held to review progress on SDG 15.

Relevant UN Treaties and Events

● UN Forum on Forests, 28 April 2007 (A/71/L.63) ● United Nations forest instrument, (A/71/L.61) ● World Creativity and Innovation Day, (A/71/L.61/Rev.1) ● United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 25 June 2001,

to stabilise greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

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● Economic and Social Council, Forest progress, challenged and way forward for international arrangement on forests on May 4 2015. (E/CN.18/2015/L.2/Rev.1)

● UNFF Resolution on the International Arrangement n Forests beyond 2015, New York, 18 May 2015 (E.CN.18.2015/2015/L.2/Rev.1)

● United Nations Forest Instrument (UNFI) Implementation Workshops in Ecuador, 22-26 January 2016

● The Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) was a predecessor body of the UN Forum on Forests 1997-2000, 25 July 1997, (E.CN.17/2000/1)

Previous Attempts to solve the Issue

United Nations Forum on Forests

The topic of deforestation was brought up at an international level in 1972 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The point of this conference was to make sure all nations understand that they are allowed to use their own and for economic and social purposes such as benefiting from its natural resources but must be mindful of the forests lands and not sure it without protections, regulations and conservation. In October 2000, the UN ECOSOC created the United Nations Forum of Forests (UNFF) as an intergovernmental policy forum with the mission to manage all types of forests and strengthen the long term poetical commitments. The UNFF has four main focal points that it aims to achieve. First, to protect, conserve, and restore the world's forests through sustainable forest management (SFM). Second, to assist and help people who are dependent on forests for a living, in which are the indigenous people. Third, to relocate the production of forest derived products to sustainable manage forests. Lastly, to be responsible for ensuring that any conservation efforts are back up with enough financial support.

With the great success that the UNFF has provided, it is failing in some areas, for example critics have stressed on addressing the root causes of the economic reliance of trees. As technological advancements around the world led to the increase of consumption of paper. A prominent example of this in in India and China, with it developing, the consumption of wood products is also expected to rise. Some of the critical and emerging issues that the UNFF is still working to combat is how climate change in already around us and people in less developed countries are most vulnerable to them. Adding on, the growing demand for forest products increasing rapidly and this results in plantations increasingly important source of industrial wood. Some of the measures the UNFF wasn't as sustainable and successful because they weren't enriching substances and straightening synergies and institutional collaborations.

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Possible Solutions Education

An end must be put to end deforestation and to restore degraded forests. A variety of different solutions can be implemented that will help reduce the overall destruction. Thinking about the main the causes that your country faces that leads to deforestation. For example in India, agriculture, urbanisation and mining are the main causes of deforestation. Therefore what are ways that you can come up that will prevent deforestation by combating deforestation as a whole. Raising awareness and educating people about deforestation are basic and necessary ways to help solve this issue. Whether it's in LEDC or MEDC by fun fairs, posters, radios or public events. These solutions can be implemented anywhere however the ways of addressing the issue may vary. In MEDCs social media, television and technology may be a better alternative where in LEDCs, posters and radios are more realistic.

Forest Management Organisations

However, member states should also consider adding laws and enforcements to give more support with smaller organisations trying to tackle forest management. There are a variety of different forest management organisations such as Farm Africa. With countries investing in these organisations it will allow to reduce poverty by helping farmers to grow more, sell more and sell for more. Farm Africa helps farmers push up the quantity, quality and value o what they produce. They share expertise in the area of development whether its for agriculture, environment or business. By supporting these organisation it will allow to help sure farmers make the most out of their land, whether its by creating workshops, bringing them over to farms etc. This will eradicate the need to cut down thousands of trees daily for agriculture. Adding on, to use expertise in participatory forest management to bring farmers, governments and stakeholders together to create agreements on using natural resources sustainability. As many farmers lack in connecting with local markets, it makes it harder for them to reach an international scale. With member states collaborating with forest management companies will allow to strengthen every aspect of farming supply chains. Countries with strong organisations that support forest management should use their organizations to lend to LEDC and to help create workshops to better their communities actions.

Guiding Questions

1. What is your country doing to help put an end to deforestation and forest degradation? 2. How much forest destruction is your country going through? 3. What are the main causes of deforestation in your country? 4. How can you prevent deforestation with these causes? 5. What are the different effects of deforestation in your country? How can you protect

them? 6. What are the different existing international organisations your country works with that

help decrease forest degradation and deforestation?

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7. Did your country make any statements on deforestation and forest degradation?

Bibliography

“The Amazon: A Global Treasure.” Amazon Watch, amazonwatch.org/about.

Bhaya, Sreetama Gupta. “India's Forests Are under Threat.” GCC News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 30 Apr. 2018, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/india-forests-threat-180425104442969.html.

Bhibhu Prasad Nayak, Priyanka Kohli, and Dr J V Sharma. “Livelihood Of Local Communities and Forest Degradation in India.” Moef, www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/redd-bk3.pdf.

Cohen, Sharon L. “The History of Deforestation.” Bizfluent, 11 Feb. 2019, bizfluent.com/about-5389808-history-deforestation.html. “Collaborative Partnership on Forests Highlights the Importance of Halting Deforestation for

Sustainable Development.” International Rice Commission Newsletter Vol. 48, FAO of the UN, www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1102994/icode/.

“Deforestation |.” OMICS International, OMICS International, www.omicsonline.org/conferences-list/deforestation. Doris Capistrano, Markku Kanninen, Manuel Guariguata, Chris Barr, Terry Sunderland and

David Raitzer. “Revitalizing UNFF: Revitalizing UNFF: Critical Issues and Ways Forward Critical Issues and Ways Forward.” Clifor, 2007, www.cifor.org/publications/pdf_files/events/cli_2007.pdf.

“Goal 15 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform.” United Nations, United Nations, sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg15. “How to Stop Deforestation in the Amazon? Empower Indigenous Peoples.” Amazon Watch,

amazonwatch.org/news/2015/0505-how-to-stop-deforestation-in-the-amazon-empower -indigenous-peoples.

“United Nations Forum on Forests » International Arrangement on Forests.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/esa/forests/documents/international-arrangement-on-forests/index.html

“World Has Knowledge and Tools to Stop Deforestation, Senior UN Agriculture Official Tells Global Conference | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations,

news.un.org/en/story/2018/02/1003211. “2nd UN-REDD Latin-American and Caribbean Regional NFMS Workshop - Ppt Download.”

SlidePlayer, SlidePlayer, slideplayer.com/slide/12559397/.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-forest-tree-cover-increase-climate-change-environment-global-warming-deforestation-a8209371.html

Appendix or Appendices

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I. https://www.un.org/esa/forests/news/2017/05/protection-of-forests-fundamental-to-security-of-humanitys-place-on-this-planet-un-forum-told/index.html (United Nations Protection of Forests, Six Global Forest Goals)

a. This UN website shows and highlights why forest must be protected, showing the importance of forests to protect humanity place on the planet. Adding on, it includes the the UN forest plans showing what the UNFF aims to achieve with its goals, with quotes and statistics from different directors. It goes into depth on the 15th SDG.

II. http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/y1237e/y1237e03.htm (Forest Conventions and Tree Treaties)

a. This report gives an overview of the treatment of forests, showing the existing global agreements. It highlights the different conventions made, the main events, goals, establishments, successes, showing the relevant articles and treaties that have affected deforestation and the progress of forest degradation.