Since its establishment in the year 2007, the Global Forest Expert Panels (GFEP) initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) has been effectively linking scientific knowledge with political decision-making on forests. GFEP responds directly to key forest-related policy questions by consolidating available scientific knowledge and expertise on these questions at a global level. It provides decision- makers with the most relevant, objective and accurate information, and thus makes an essential contribution to increasing the quality and effectiveness of international forest governance. This report, titled “Forests, Trees and the Eradication of Poverty: Potential and Limitations”, presents the results of the seventh global scientific assessment undertaken so far within the framework of GFEP. All assessment reports are prepared by internationally recognised scientists from a variety of biophysical and social science disciplines. The publications are presented to stakeholders across relevant international policy fora. In this way, GFEP supports a more coherent policy dialogue about the role of forests in addressing the broader environmental, social and economic challenges reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Globally, one out of every 10 people lives in extreme poverty. Poverty eradication has therefore found a place at the top of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” is the first Goal of this Agenda, which is supported by all 193 UN member states. The international community is now stepping up efforts to achieve this goal, especially in response to the severe setback caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The zoonotic nature of the Covid-19 virus has also illustrated the urgency to reduce human pressure
on nature.
