From devastating wildfires to typhoons that battered Southeast Asia, to catastrophic flooding in East Africa and parts of Latin America, 2024 saw its share of environmental upheaval.
Yet, it has also been a year of remarkable progress. Three global conferences took place, bringing together a range of actors committed to stabilizing the climate, reversing desertification and protecting biodiversity. In Cali, at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), nearly 1 million participants convened under the theme ‘Peace with Nature’ to address the urgent need for biodiversity conservation. In Africa, initiatives like the Great Green Wall gained significant traction, restoring degraded lands and revitalizing local economies and grassroots regreening efforts worldwide demonstrated the power of community-led action.
The most compelling narratives of this year highlight the urgency of action, the strength of communities and the promise of innovative solutions.
Here are our standout stories and top picks for 2024:
1. A year of hope and hardship for the world’s forests
Forest scenery of Gede Pangrango in the morning. Photo by Ricky Martin/CIFOR-ICRAF.
Forests across the globe have faced a dual narrative of resilience and challenge over the past year. From devastating deforestation to promising strides in restoration, the world’s forests remain at the heart of the climate and biodiversity crises.
While wildfires, illegal logging and land conversion threatened critical ecosystems, there were also inspiring examples of community-driven reforestation and innovative policies to reverse the tide of loss. Forests act as carbon sinks and support countless livelihoods, highlighting their role in building a sustainable bioeconomy and fostering resilience against climate change.
2. Rethinking biodiversity metrics: A call to action
Traditional seed art craft from indigenous communities in Ucayali. Photo by Juan Carlos Huayllapuma/CIFOR-ICRAF
p>The call to abandon this figure is not just a plea for accuracy but a push towards recognizing and respecting the complex realities of biodiversity conservation. The scientists who evaluated the claim said they hope that by reframing this narrative, we pave the way for more equitable collaborations with Indigenous communities.
3. Mangroves: Nature’s climate warriors in Asia
Mangrove tree in Pasir Timbul Island, Sungsnag village, Banyuasin Region. Photo by Ricky Martin/CIFOR-ICRAF
Mangroves long the quiet powerhouses in the global fight against climate change, earned greater attention this year, serving as a linchpin in combating crises from Bali to Jeju and beyond. These coastal ecosystems, formidable carbon sinks and natural storm buffers, provided lifelines for vulnerable communities while showcasing the interdependence of nature-based solutions and climate resilience.
From the bustling shores of Singapore to the quiet villages of South Sumatra, community-led initiatives highlighted the potential of mangroves to mitigate climate impacts. In India’s Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, on-ground monitoring strengthened ecosystem resilience, while Indonesia’s groundbreaking mangrove manual set global standards for conservation. Across East Asia, the restoration and preservation of mangroves demanded regional cooperation and investment, reminding the world that saving these vital forests is not just about protecting nature – it’s about securing a sustainable future for all.
4. Trees as guardians against floods: Nature’s resilient solution
A river near the edge of the Southwest Mau Forest, Kenya. Photo by Patrick Sheperd/CIFOR-ICRAF
With floods and extreme weather becoming more frequent, trees stand out as essential defenders in flood management. Their roots stabilise soil, reduce erosion, and enhance water absorption, acting as natural barriers against the forces of nature. Beyond their ecological functions, trees protect human lives and livelihoods, exemplifying the potential of nature-based solutions in addressing climate challenges.
From urban green spaces to expansive wetlands, reforestation and conservation efforts highlight the pivotal role of trees in building resilience. As communities face the growing impacts of climate change, preserving and restoring these natural defences is not only an environmental necessity – it is a human priority.
5. Fragile landscapes, resilient communities
Drylands landscape near Kitui, Kitui County – Kenya. Photo by Axel Fassio/CIFOR-ICRAF
The interplay between trees, people and choices in regions scarred by conflict and natural disasters revealed the resilience of communities navigating fragile situations. Stories from across the globe highlighted how landscapes in crisis—whether due to war, displacement, or environmental shocks—are deeply intertwined with livelihoods and survival.
Research and on-the-ground efforts underscored the importance of integrating local knowledge and priorities into restoration strategies, showing that effective solutions go beyond planting trees to address the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of recovery. By embracing holistic approaches that balance ecological restoration with human well-being, these communities are not just rebuilding landscapes but redefining their futures in the face of adversity.
6. The cost of inaction: National interests vs. global good
A logging truck transports a massive tree through a tropical forest. Photo by Ollivier Girard/CIFOR-ICRAF
The limitations of global environmental protection came into sharp focus, revealing that the greatest challenge is not a lack of solutions but the dominance of national interests over collective action. A closer examination of governance structures highlighted a troubling misalignment between global goals and regional priorities, exacerbating transboundary environmental challenges like deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
This failure underscores the urgent need for a unified approach—one that prioritises equity, shared accountability, and coordinated efforts across borders. Without a shift towards inclusive, collaborative governance, even the most promising solutions risk falling short of their potential to safeguard the planet.
7. REDD+: A mixed report card
Indrianto, right, and Suratman of Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL) measure the depth of the peat at the healthy part of Tripa peat swamp forest in Nagan Raya, Aceh province, Indonesia. Photo by Dita Alangkara/CIFOR-ICRAF
The uneven impacts of REDD+ initiatives sharpened the complexities of global carbon offset schemes. While some regions successfully leveraged REDD+ to achieve measurable gains in forest conservation and community benefits, others struggled to translate its promises into tangible outcomes.
A comprehensive review revealed moderate but highly variable impacts, underscoring the need for more inclusive, adaptive approaches that account for local contexts and priorities. The findings highlighted that a one-size-fits-all strategy cannot address the diverse challenges faced by participating regions. Moving forward, REDD+ must evolve into a more flexible and equitable framework to deliver on its dual goals of climate mitigation and sustainable development.
8. Wood-based products drive sustainable development
Indonesia’s growing domestic rattan trade exemplifies the potential of wood-based products to drive sustainable development. As part of a global bioeconomy movement, natural and renewable resources play a critical role in providing livelihoods while supporting conservation efforts. In Indonesia, the surge in rattan demand highlights the need for robust sectoral policies to ensure sustainable harvesting and trade practices, safeguarding forest health and biodiversity.
Wood-based products, including rattan but also bamboo, underscore the importance of aligning economic growth with ecological integrity. By embedding sustainability principles across the value chain, communities address growing global demand and strengthen the bioeconomy as a pathway to sustainable and inclusive development.
9. The persistent gender gap in science
CIFOR-ICRAF scientist measuring mangroves to log carbon data. Photo by Aulia Erlangga/CIFOR-ICRAF
The gender gap in science underscored the need for diverse perspectives to address complex global challenges. Women continue to be underrepresented in top scientific roles, limiting the breadth of innovation and inclusivity in fields critical to solving environmental and societal crises.
This year, the spotlight turned to the vital role of mentorship and representation as researchers and advocates called for stronger efforts to foster female role models and create pathways to equity in academia and research. By breaking down systemic barriers and amplifying diverse voices, the scientific community can unlock its full potential to tackle the pressing challenges of our time, said experts.
10. Investing in soils for a sustainable future
In Ghana, the project Regreening Africa aims to create a sustained approach to reversing land degradation. Photo by Kelvin Trautman / CIFOR-ICRAF
Land degradation neutrality emerged as a global rallying cry, placing soils at the forefront of sustainable development. Healthy soils, recognized as the foundation for agricultural productivity, biodiversity and climate resilience, became a critical focus for policymakers and practitioners alike.
Evidence from initiatives worldwide demonstrated that investing in soil health can combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and strengthen food security. Countries prioritizing soil restoration showed how sustainable land management practices could support ecological balance and economic growth.
As we reflect on these stories, the resounding message of 2024 is clear: solutions exist, but they demand our collective will, innovation and commitment to equity.
We want you to share Forests News content, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This means you are free to redistribute our material for non-commercial purposes. All we ask is that you give Forests News appropriate credit and link to the original Forests News content, indicate if changes were made, and distribute your contributions under the same Creative Commons license. You must notify Forests News if you repost, reprint or reuse our materials by contacting forestsnews@cifor-icraf.org.