State of the world's forests 2011
This document, published during the International Year of Forests, considers the theme 'Changing pathways, changing lives: forests as multiple pathways to sustainable development'. It takes a holistic view of the multiple ways in which forests support livelihoods and recognises the importance of strengthening the role of adaptation in climate change policies through measures such as flood control or coping mechanisms for climate extremes. It also recommends to incorporate the use of adaptation to short-term climate variability and extreme events as a basis for reducing vulnerability to longer-term climate change within the tools for policy development.
The chapters assembled for this year’s State of the World’s Forests highlight four key areas that warrant greater attention: (i) regional trends on forest resources; (ii) the development of sustainable forest industries; (iii) climate change mitigation and adaptation; and (iv) the local value of forests. Considered together, these themes provide insights on the true contribution of forests to the creation of sustainable livelihoods and alleviation of poverty.