NEW YORK: More than 4.6 million square kilometres of the world’s forests have been degraded, an area roughly equivalent to the size of the European Union, according to a new UN-backed assessment.
The report warns that although the pace of forest loss has slowed in recent years, deforestation and land degradation remain major environmental threats. Forest degradation is raising concerns over biodiversity, carbon storage, water security and the livelihoods of communities dependent on forests.
The findings come as governments and businesses face mounting pressure to strengthen conservation efforts ahead of major global biodiversity and climate discussions. Scientists and environmental groups are increasingly calling for restoration of damaged forests alongside efforts to halt further loss.
The latest assessment highlights that protecting remaining forests alone may not be enough and that large-scale restoration will be crucial in limiting climate and ecological damage.