Global forests remain under severe pressure even as countries promise to reduce deforestation. A new analysis released after the UN climate summit in Belém shows that the world is far off track from the goal of halting and reversing forest loss by 2030. The findings highlight a widening “forest gap” and underline the need for urgent, equitable and accountable global action.
Why forest protection is back in focus
Before last month’s climate summit, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva urged world leaders to commit to clear roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels and stopping deforestation. However, after countries failed to reach consensus, the plans were announced only as a voluntary initiative. Brazil will now report back on progress at COP31 next year, where Turkey will hold the presidency and Australia will chair negotiations.
These goals stem from the global stocktake carried out in 2023, which confirmed that the world is not on course to meet the Paris Agreement targets. At COP28 in Dubai, countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels and protect forests by the end of this decade. But delivering these goals requires a just transition and large-scale climate finance something this year’s talks in Belém could not secure.
Forest loss remains dangerously high
Global Forest Watch data shows forests are still being lost or degraded at an alarming scale around 25 million hectares every year over the past decade. This is far higher than the level required to meet 2030 commitments. The 2025 Land Gap Report reveals that the pledges submitted so far would reduce deforestation by less than 50% by 2030, leaving almost 4 million hectares still at risk. Forest degradation would also continue across nearly 16 million hectares, only a slight improvement from today’s levels.
Together, these trends point to a massive “forest gap” of around 20 million hectares expected to be lost or damaged each year by 2030. The area is roughly twice the size of South Korea. This demonstrates how global commitments remain well below what is needed, despite major pledges from countries such as China and the European Union during COP31.
New conservation funds offer hope but raise questions
One of the biggest announcements in Belém was the launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, which received commitments of US$6.7 billion. Designed to target tropical deforestation the largest source of forest-related emissions the fund has been hailed as a breakthrough. However, experts warn that weak monitoring of forest degradation could allow countries to receive funding while continuing destructive logging.
Another significant initiative was a US$1.8 billion pledge to support conservation and secure 160 million hectares of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ territories. Researchers say this is essential, as these communities are among the most effective protectors of forests.
Forest action must also extend beyond the tropics
While tropical forests attract global attention, countries in the global north account for more than half of worldwide tree-cover loss. Industrial logging in regions such as Australia, Canada and Europe remains a major driver of degradation, yet it is rarely addressed with the urgency applied to tropical deforestation.
A recent global review showed that only 59 countries monitor forest degradation and most of them are in the tropics. This leaves a major accountability gap, allowing wealthier nations with high logging rates to avoid scrutiny.
In response to this imbalance, the IUCN World Conservation Congress this year endorsed a motion calling for equitable accountability across all countries. Advocates say the forest roadmap for COP31 must reflect this and push for consistent global standards.
Australia’s role in shaping future forest policies
Australia is the only country so far whose climate pledge explicitly promises to halt and reverse both deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. With Australia set to lead negotiations at COP31, experts argue it could help push global ambition significantly higher. But this will require credible leadership and strong efforts at home, since Australia remains a deforestation hotspot with ongoing native forest logging.