A Forest Partnership for Change
Forests contain 80% of all life on land and cover around 30% of the Earth’s land area. They help regulate our climate, purify the air we breathe, and provide the water we drink.
Yet forests face many threats. They are cut down for firewood, cleared to create agricultural land, and global market demand for commercial timber continues to increase.
Today, roughly half the world’s virgin forests have disappeared and most of that loss has occurred over the past 50 years. In addition, forest quality is also declining and 60–70% of the world’s forests are at risk from human activity, altered climate and associated fires and windstorms, and invasive species.
Globally, deforestation and forest degradation are likely to continue unless there is a fundamental shift in how forests are valued for the many benefits they provide.
Together, WWF and IKEA are promoting responsible forest management, good governance, and transparency in the global timber trade.
By improving standards and regulation, developing best practice, and encouraging innovation, our partnership is pioneering new ways for the forest sector to contribute to a sustainable global economy, supporting sustainable landscapes, and securing forest values for both present and future needs.
This briefing offers a summary of our forest partnership for change. We hope you will enjoy reading it and that you will be inspired to join us in protecting and realising the true value of forests.
Louise Carlsson
Programme Manager Forests, WWF Sweden
Mikhail Tarasov
Global Forestry Manager, IKEA of Sweden
