Our Vision
Supporting Transformation in the Forest Sector
Forests optimal contribution to a Green Economy is reached when forests are managed
for their full range of benefits to society. Growth in income and employment is driven
by public and private investments, which in turn, reduce carbon emissions,
enhance resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of forest-based biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Such investments are catalyzed and supported by targeted policy reforms, regulation
changes and capacity building. This development path should maintain, enhance and,
where necessary, rebuild forest-based natural capital. Capital that is a critical
economic asset and a source of public benefits, especially for people whose livelihoods
and security depend strongly on nature.
Unlocking the Optimal Contribution of Forests
The scale of transforming forest management for a Green Economy is enormous,
beyond any individual organization. This transformation will require large-scale
and cross-sectoral partnerships and investments to succeed.
To facilitate UNEP contributions and to augment the many efforts aimed at
improving forest management, UNEP has identified five building blocks for forest
management transformation. Individually, the blocks do not deliver forest-based
green growth, but they are crucially interlinked. Many change agents – processes,
tools and projects – contribute to the establishment of each block.
These building blocks are:
- Knowledge and vision
- Scenarios and policy options
- Strategies and implementation
- Investments, finance and markets
- Forest-based green growth
Processes, tools and approaches related to this model are bound to vary from country to country.
The various change agents will play different but interconnected and complementary roles to
delivery the five building blocks. Accordingly, the approach also serves to help
in identifying value-adding partnerships and collaborations.