Every year, 10 million hectares of forests are destroyed, fueling climate change and biodiversity loss. Halting deforestation could cut 4 gigatonnes of emissions annually and help meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal.
Forests are not just green landscapes; they are essential allies in humanity’s fight against climate change. Yet every year, nearly 10 million hectares of forests vanish—an area the size of Portugal—due to human activity. This destruction releases billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases, erodes biodiversity, and weakens the planet’s natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide. As nations prepare to update their pledges under the Paris Agreement in 2025, halting deforestation and restoring forests must become a central global priority.
The Climate Cost of Deforestation
Forests act as carbon sinks, capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in trees, soils, and vegetation. But when forests are cleared or burned, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), tropical deforestation emits over 5.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually – more than four times the emissions of global aviation and shipping combined. Since 1990, the world has lost 420 million hectares of forests, almost half the size of China.
Without urgent action, continued deforestation will make it nearly impossible to meet the 1.5°C warming limit, pushing the planet toward more frequent floods, droughts, and wildfires.
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Why Halting Deforestation Matters Now
The world is already on a dangerous trajectory. Current national climate commitments could lead to 2.5°C to 2.9°C of warming by 2100. Halting deforestation is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce emissions.
- Stopping deforestation could cut emissions by 4 gigatonnes annually by 2030, according to the UN-REDD Programme.
- Restoring degraded forests could add further carbon absorption, contributing significantly to the 22 gigatonnes of annual reductions needed to limit warming.
Beyond emissions, forests safeguard biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and provide livelihoods for billions of people. Protecting them is not just a climate strategy—it is also a matter of global equity and survival.
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Challenges in Halting Deforestation
Despite its importance, halting deforestation remains a challenge. From 2015 to 2020, forests continued to shrink at a rate of 10 million hectares per year. Key obstacles include:
- Low carbon prices: Markets often price carbon at less than $10 per tonne, well below the $30–$50 needed to make forest protection viable.
- Weak governance: Many developing nations lack resources to enforce conservation laws.
- Overlooked communities: Indigenous Peoples, women, and rural populations—who are critical to forest stewardship—are frequently excluded from policy decisions.
A Path Forward: Halting Deforestation in 2025 Climate Plans
The 2025 update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is a crucial opportunity to put halting deforestation at the heart of climate strategies. Policymakers can:
- Set clear goals – Commit to measurable, time-bound targets for halting deforestation and restoring degraded forests.
- Tackle root causes – Address drivers like agricultural expansion by promoting sustainable farming practices.
- Empower local voices – Engage Indigenous and rural communities in decision-making to ensure fair, effective policies.
- Increase finance – Scale up climate funding and carbon market prices to reflect the real value of forests.
- Integrate nature-based solutions – Use forests alongside other natural solutions to reduce 10–18 gigatonnes of emissions by 2050.
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Conclusion
Halting deforestation is one of the most powerful and urgent steps to fight climate change. Stopping forest loss and restoring ecosystems could cut 4 gigatonnes of emissions annually, bringing the world closer to meeting the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target.
As UNEP’s Mirey Atallah warns: “We are running out of time to tackle the climate crisis.” By prioritising halting deforestation in the 2025 climate plans, humanity can take a decisive step toward a safer, sustainable future.