Overview
Forest, tree and agroforestry systems have an important role to play in both emission reduction and the mitigation of climate change. They are key to the necessary adaptation of forests and people to changes in climate that are already occurring, such as increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and the increase of extreme weather events.
They can also provide bioenergy resources for the transition to a cleaner energy system, as emphasized by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement cannot be achieved without forests, trees and agroforestry. This is recognized by the agreement itself and acknowledged by countries that give a large place to forests and trees in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Many countries need support for the implementation of these objectives.
There can be no effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies without involving the potential of forest, tree and agroforestry resources in integrative cross-sectoral approaches. Also, countries need methods to reliably assess and monitor the performance of mitigation and adaptation policy and practice, as well as related costs and benefits.