Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) can be defined as geographical areas that are ecologically connected across one or more international boundaries, the management of which involves some form of cooperation. ITTO has been a strong supporter of TBCAs. In this edition we examine ITTO projects that have helped “build bridges” between Malaysia and Indonesia and between Guatemala and Mexico.

Tropical forest degradation is responsible for more carbon losses than deforestation, and investing in restoration through landscape approaches linked to supply chains is essential, therefore, for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 ˚C, according to a side-event organized by ITTO and the Japan Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute at the global climate conference last week.

Mexico must urgently address its looming wood supply gap if it is to meet the needs of its growing population, according to ITTO Executive Director Gerhard Dieterle. Speaking at Expo Forestal 2018 in Guadalajara in October, Dr Dieterle said a major investment in Mexican forests would generate many economic, social and environmental benefits, including satisfying domestic wood demand.

Earning income from forest landscape restoration through sustainable supply chains is essential for sustainability, according to ITTO Executive Director Gerhard Dieterle. Dr Dieterle was speaking at a discussion forum on the role of public–private partnerships in greening supply chains, convened on 2 December 2018 in Bonn, Germany, as part of the Global Landscapes Forum.

ITTO launched its policy guidelines on gender equality and the empowerment of women in 2017 to help ensure the full involvement of women in ITTO’s work and sustainable forest management. Achieving gender equality is a long process, however: a new ITTO video series explores the progress made and challenges ahead.

“Since the MALEBI project arrived, we have been free. The money we earn is used to help our husbands, put the children through school, and take care of and support the family. We want to contribute to the development of our village.” In this new video, Mme N’Guessan from the MALEBI women’s association in Côte d’Ivoire discusses the benefits of an ITTO project to restore degraded forest.