Strategic investment in tropical forestry needed for planetary sustainability
1 December 2022
Yokohama, Japan, 1 December 2022: Strategic investments in sustainable tropical forestry, forest-based industries and a sustainable timber trade are needed as part of efforts to achieve a nature-positive future, according to ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru in a recorded message delivered at the three-day virtual Nature for Life Hub in the lead-up to the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP15).
The virtual Nature for Life Hub, convened by the UN Development Programme and more than 50 partners, is designed to take audiences on thematic journeys that “[delve] deep into specialist topics, practical solutions and ambitious actions that are paving a path towards a nature-positive future”. Taking place between the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November and COP15 in December 2022, the aim of the Nature for Life Hub is to build on what was missed at COP27 and what needs to happen at COP15.
Debate on the role of timber production as a means for both mitigating and adapting to climate change was one aspect that is yet to receive sufficient policy attention, according to Ms Satkuru.
“Sustainable business development involving timber and non-timber forest products, as well as a wide range of ecosystem services, will enable local communities, Indigenous Peoples and smallholders to improve their livelihoods,” she said.
“The tropical timber industry needs transformative public and private investments to promote sustainable production and consumption with an enabling environment for private investments aimed at sustainable profits.”
Improving livelihoods will not only increase the resilience of communities in the face of climate-related disasters, it will also help achieve conservation aims, said Ms Satkuru.