Sustainable Development Goals
Main SDG introduction
World leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a historic UN conference in September 2015. The SDGs call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, thereby recognizing that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies to build economic growth, address social needs, tackle climate change and ensure environmental sustainability.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the sustainable management of productive forests in the tropics, and a sustainable tropical timber trade, can help in meeting future wood demand and achieving the SDGs. ITTO is empowered to promote the expansion of international tropical timber trade from legal and sustainable sources. It is perfectly placed, therefore, to assist countries in their efforts towards all the SDGs, especially SDG 1 (“No poverty”), SDG 12 (“Responsible consumption and production”), SDG 13 (“Climate action”) and SDG 15 (“Life on land”). Some of the ways it is doing this are outlined below.
Select one or multiple SDGs below to see ITTO’s contributions towards achieving them.
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Photo: In Way
Tropical forest degradation is contributing more to climate change than previously thought. On the other hand, sustainably produced wood is a renewable substitute for many carbon-intensive materials. Sustainably managed tropical forests, and their associated sustainable supply chains, therefore, can be a cornerstone of efforts to combat climate change and develop a more circular economy.
Through projects and policy development, ITTO is helping stakeholders take the following steps to make this a reality:
Through projects and policy development, ITTO is helping stakeholders take the following steps to make this a reality:
- Protect high-conservation-value forests for their ecosystem services.
- Restore degraded forest landscapes for productive uses.
- Increase the capacity of tropical forests to adapt to climate change.
- Improve fire management.
- Manage and use existing productive forests to increase carbon sequestration and avoid deforestation and degradation.
- Promote trade through legal and sustainable supply chains.
Related ITTO contributions for the selected Sustainable Development Goal(s)
(74 results found)
On World Wood Day, ITTO sees sustainable timber driving the bioeconomy transition
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land
Pick any global nature-based sustainability challenge and, chances are, you will find that wood is part of the answer.
Forests are crucial sequesters, stores, and sinks for climate-heating carbon. Forests are also key reservoirs and refuges for biodiversity. They provide water, food, livelihoods, and protection from disasters for many millions of people, and their wood is an essential More
Forests are crucial sequesters, stores, and sinks for climate-heating carbon. Forests are also key reservoirs and refuges for biodiversity. They provide water, food, livelihoods, and protection from disasters for many millions of people, and their wood is an essential More
Japanese businesses, ITTO share insights on engaging communities in forest and carbon projects
Climate action
Tokyo, 17 March 2025: Leading Japanese forestry authorities, financial and industrial companies participated in a recent ITTO networking event to discuss how to build stronger relationships with local communities and overcome other challenges in forest projects, including carbon projects.
More
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Japanese businesses, ITTO share insights on engaging communities in forest and carbon projects
Climate action
Leading Japanese forestry authorities, financial and industrial companies participated in a recent ITTO networking event to discuss how to build stronger relationships with local communities and overcome other challenges in forest projects, including carbon projects.
Sustainability experts from Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Corporation, INPEX Corporation, Japan International More
Sustainability experts from Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Corporation, INPEX Corporation, Japan International More
ITTO reports slump in trade in most tropical wood products in 2023, with further uncertainties ahead
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 5 December 2024: Trade in most tropical wood products declined significantly in 2023 in response to a slowdown in economic growth in most consumer economies, a cost-of-living crisis caused by inflationary pressures, and a slowdown in China’s property sector, according to a report presented on day 4 of the 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council.
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ITTO forest fire projects spark learnings to inform policy
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Completed projects in Indonesia and Peru have provided valuable insights on forest fire management and will inform new guidelines on tropical forest fire management, according to an evaluation of the projects presented at the 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council, which convened on its third day today. Both projects were funded by the Government of Japan.
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Civil society group calls for more support for communities and women on forest landscape restoration
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
ITTO should accelerate support for community-led implementation of its Guidelines for Forest Landscape Restoration in the Tropics to increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts and ensure that communities benefit from them, the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) said in a statement today.
The statement was issued during a CSAG-hosted panel discussion on restoration strategies and More
The statement was issued during a CSAG-hosted panel discussion on restoration strategies and More
Tropical timber trade group wants ITTO to do more to champion tropical timber
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: With wood producers worldwide reeling from skyrocketing shipping costs and the tropical timber sector suffering from negative consumer perceptions, the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) called on ITTO today to focus on rebuilding demand for tropical timber by communicating the “tremendous progress” producers have made on timber traceability, legality and sustainability.
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Deforestation regulation draws more discussion
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: The new European Union Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which has been subject to considerable discussion in previous sessions of the International Tropical Timber Council, also received attention today as part of the Council’s Trade and Market Day.
More
Civil society group calls for more support for communities and women on forest landscape restoration
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: ITTO should accelerate support for community-led implementation of its Guidelines for Forest Landscape Restoration in the Tropics to increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts and ensure that communities benefit from them, the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) said in a statement today.
More
Deforestation regulation draws more discussion
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
The new European Union Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which has been subject to considerable discussion in previous sessions of the International Tropical Timber Council, also received attention today as part of the Council’s Trade and Market Day.
CIFOR-ICRAF Chief Operating Officer Robert Nasi presented on the implications of the EUDR for the tropical timber trade. He said the More
CIFOR-ICRAF Chief Operating Officer Robert Nasi presented on the implications of the EUDR for the tropical timber trade. He said the More
Tropical timber trade group wants ITTO to do more to champion tropical timber
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
With wood producers worldwide reeling from skyrocketing shipping costs and the tropical timber sector suffering from negative consumer perceptions, the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) called on ITTO today to focus on rebuilding demand for tropical timber by communicating the “tremendous progress” producers have made on timber traceability, legality and sustainability.
In a statement More
In a statement More
ITTO gears up for UNFCCC COP29 to elevate tropical forests in global climate action
Climate action Life on land
Sustainably managed tropical forests and legal supply chains can be essential in fighting climate change and supporting a circular economy. These forests serve as carbon sinks, while sustainable wood offers a renewable, low-carbon alternative to more polluting materials. Sustainable management also boosts forest and community resilience to climate impacts by enhancing productivity, conserving biodiversity,
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Global timber forum launches action framework for legal and sustainable timber supply chains
No poverty Quality education Gender equality Decent work and economic growth Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
The Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) has launched the Action Framework for Promoting Legal and Sustainable Timber Supply Chains to strengthen international collaboration among stakeholders in timber supply chains, promote the sustainable development of the timber industry, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and combating climate change. More
At APEC forum, ITTO calls for more investment in traceability innovation to support sustainable use
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land
There is no shortage of inventiveness in timber traceability, but more investment and incentives are needed to further develop these innovations, facilitate their uptake in the timber sector, and ensure that such systems are financially self-sustaining, an ITTO officer has told Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s illegal logging expert group, known as EGILAT. More
ITTO video highlights community forestry success in the Amazon to mark International Day of the Tropics
No poverty Gender equality Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
A new video on community forestry in the Amazon highlights how sustainable forest management (SFM) underpins the livelihoods and aspirations of millions of people in tropical countries, as the world marks the International Day of the Tropics. More
ITTO and UNCCD unite for land restoration to mark world day against desertification and drought
No poverty Good health and well-being Gender equality Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, ITTO stands side-by-side with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and all governments and stakeholders committed to restoring degraded landscapes and sustainably managing tropical forests as means for ensuring ecosystem health and the wellbeing of local people, communities and nations. More
Capacity building needed urgently in Africa to avoid detrimental impacts of timber trade measures
No poverty Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
ITTO has urged more attention to the need for capacity building and training in the Congo Basin to ensure that the region’s vital forest sector and timber industry will be able to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other international trade measures. More
ITTO highlights commitment to “Generation Restoration” on World Environment Day
Good health and well-being Gender equality Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
ITTO proudly joins the global community in celebrating World Environment Day, recognizing that this year’s theme, “Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration”, both underscores the crucial need to restore land for a sustainable future and aligns perfectly with ITTO’s mission and ongoing work. More
ITTO to revise fire management guidelines, Executive Director tells Fire Hub meeting
Good health and well-being Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
ITTO is revising its guidelines on fire management in tropical forests to incorporate new knowledge and to respond to the increasing risk of tropical forest fire due to climate change and pressures from land-use change and encroachment, ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru told participants at a meeting at FAO headquarters this week. More
Producers and consumers must share the cost of SFM, says Executive Director
Decent work and economic growth Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land
Sustainable production of wood and forest products must be balanced with sustainable consumption to enable countries to meet the cost of sustainable forest management (SFM) in the tropics, ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru told participants in a side-event during the 19th Session of the UN Forum on Forests. More