World slips on deforestation, loses cover equal to Ireland's area in 2021

Global gross deforestation amounted to 6.8 million hectares in 2021 with 3.9 giga-tonnes of CO2 equivalent of associated GHG emissions

Despite pledges from 145 nations during the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) to achieve the twin global goals of halting and reversing deforestation by 2030, the planet might miss the target, according to a report by Forest Declaration Assessment Partners (2022).

“Deforestation rates worldwide declined only modestly in 2021, by 6.3 per cent, as against the 10 per cent annual reduction needed as per 2018-20 baseline to achieve zero deforestation by 2030,” the Forest Declaration Assessment report said. In the humid tropics, which host some of the richest fauna of the world, loss of irreplaceable primary forest decreased by only 3.1 per cent.

Despite encouraging signs, not a single global indicator is on track to meet these 2030 goals of stopping forest loss and degradation and restoring 350 million hectares of forest landscape, the report said.

Moreover, deforestation and degradation account for 10-12 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. 

“Multiple streams of data show that the world is not on track to achieve our commitments to protect forests. We are quickly moving toward another round of hollow commitments and vanished forests,” said David Gibbs, GIS (Geographic Information System) research associate at Global Forest Watch, World Resources Institute.

Global gross deforestation amounted to 6.8 million hectares (mha) in 2021 — an area comparable in size to the Republic of Ireland – with 3.9 GtCO2e (giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) of associated GHG emissions. 

The report highlighted that 98 per cent of the decrease in deforestation comes from tropical regions.

Brazil was the world’s largest contributor to deforestation in 2021. The country marked a 3 per cent rise in the rate of deforestation in 2021 compared to the baseline 2018-2020. Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo underwent deforestation at six per cent and 3 per cent, respectively.

Globally, 118.6 Mha (approximately 90 per cent) of the total 130.9 mha tree cover gain over the past two decades is likely due to natural regeneration and assisted natural regeneration that occurred outside plantations.

It is essential to note that tree cover gain does not cancel out tree loss, the report cautioned. “Forest cover gains don’t negate the impacts of forest loss in terms of carbon storage, biodiversity, or ecosystem services. The highest priority efforts should be directed towards safeguarding primary forests from losses in the first place,” the report said.

The exercise will cost up to $460 billion per year to protect, restore, and enhance forests on a global scale. However, less than 1 per cent of the required finance is available. 

“Currently, domestic and international mitigation finance for forests averages $2.3 billion per year — less than 1 per cent of the required,” the report said. 

Forest funding has to increase by up to 200 times to meet 2030 goals, highlighted the report.

Some countries have made progress in reducing deforestation and good governance has been a key to this success. Gabon in Central Africa reduced deforestation by 28 per cent in 2021 compared to base year. 

Also, recent years have seen legal interventions in the European Union, Ecuador and India to protect forests.

As per report, a constitutional court in Ecuador upheld the rights of nature enshrined in the country’s constitution in 2021. The court said mining in protected areas violated the constitutional rights of nature and that the government should revoke the mining licences.

In April 2022, the Madras High Court declared nature as a living being with all rights and duties of a living being.

A lot is expected from the upcoming COP27 as well. A new Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership is scheduled to be launched at COP27 to support forests and sustainable land use in order to contribute to global climate goals. 

“This partnership is a critical next step to collectively deliver on this promise made during COP26 and help keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C alive,” said Alok Sharma, COP26 president.

COP27 will also entail discussions on finance availability to meet the halt and reverse deforestation target by 2030.

The track record (2000-2020)

Global tree cover increase: 130.9 million hectares (Mha)

13 countries account for three quarters of the global gain

The largest gains observed: Russia (28.4%), Canada (13.0%), United States (10.7%), Brazil (6.2%), and China (5%)

Tree cover loss in the above countries: 231.4 Mha

Tree cover gains: China (2.1 Mha) India (0.87 Mha), Uruguay (0.54 Mha), Belarus (0.52 Mha), and Ukraine (0.43 Mha)

Globally, 118.6 Mha (about 90%) of total tree cover gain likely due to natural regeneration and assisted natural regeneration