Deforestation and forest degradation are a critical threat to the health of our planet, the wildlife that call these forests home and the millions of people who rely directly on forests for survival. 

Forests have been at the heart of WWF’s work for half a century - we’ve supported the creation of protected areas, helped move the forest sector towards sustainability and transparency; and we’re working across the world to halt deforestation, help restore forests and put deforestation-free commitments into action. 

At WWF, we take a solutions-oriented, integrated and local-to-global approach that seeks synergies with relevant stakeholders to influence drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. Our vision is of a world enriched by extensive, resilient forest landscapes benefiting biodiversity, people, climate and nature..

Our work

We want to see a world where forests are properly valued – not just for the wood they supply, but for the many other benefits they provide for people and nature. 

As we look towards 2030, WWF wants to see:

  • 50% of the world’s forests effective protected or under improved management
  • Deforestation halted
  • 350 million hectares of forest landscapes restored

With better protection, forests can continue to provide a welcome home for wildlife and resources for indigenous people and local communities. And, globally, they can keep providing us all with essentials such as fresh air and clean water. With better management, we can boost timber production without damaging the local environment. And with better planning, we can produce enough food for growing populations without having to convert forests to farmland. We can even go further, by replanting and restoring forests that have been destroyed or degraded. This can help combat climate change, extend and reconnect wildlife habitats, and reduce problems like flooding and erosion.

Our 2030 goals are aligned with those outlined in the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Bonn Challenge and other global agreements.

Our theory of change lays out the principal pathways and five gamechangers that have the greatest potential to accelerate progress towards 2030 targets (click below to enlarge the graphic). The Forest Practice focuses efforts and resources on these gamechangers, aligning cutting-edge science and thought leadership, global advocacy, on-the-ground implementation and partnerships, to contribute to sustaining and enhancing the value of forests. We realize there is no silver bullet to save the world’s forests; that’s why we take a multi-pronged approach to tackle the many different drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, taking into account regional differences and contexts. 

For more information on the WWF Global Forest Practice, visit panda.org/forests and for the latest news and reports, visit this page.