Since its establishment in 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 to critical forest-related policy concerns by consolidating available scientific knowledge and expertise on these issues at the global level. It provides decision-makers with the most relevant, objective and accurate information and thus makes essential contributions to increasing the quality and effectiveness of international forest governance. This report titled, “Forests and Trees for Human Health: Pathways, Impacts, Challenges and Response
Options”, presents the results of the eighth global scientific assessment undertaken within the framework of GFEP. All GFEP assessments are prepared by internationally recognized scientists from varied professional backgrounds and geographical contexts. The publications are presented to stakeholders across relevant international policy fora to support more coherent policies on the role of forests in addressing the environmental, social and economic challenges reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent years, global public health challenges have taken centre stage. The COVID-19 pandemic has created severe healthcare disruptions and reversed decades of health and economic improvements. In addition to infectious diseases, the surge of non-communicable diseases has also become a major public health threat. Global factors, including urbanisation and climate change, further exacerbate such adverse effects on human health. Forests have immense potential to contribute to the mental, physical and social health and wellbeing of humans. Forests, trees and green spaces can provide nutritious food and medicines, support climate change mitigation and adaptation, filter air and water pollutants and offer areas of recreation. At the same time, poor practices of conservation and management of forests can result in adverse effects on human health with the emergence of zoonotic diseases, forest fires and allergic outcomes. This report consolidates available scientific evidence on the interlinkages between forests and human health and identifies trade-offs, synergies, and opportunities for strengthening policies, programmes and activities to enhance the positive health impacts of forests in diverse populations and settings. The vast potential of forests, and nature, to contribute to positive health outcomes is increasingly recognised and promoted by policy processes at the international level. For example, the recently agreed Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework calls for the adoption of integrative approaches such as One Health and ‘Good health and wellbeing for all’ is the third goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Scientific reports like this are important tools for supporting policymakers and stakeholders in their ambition to ensure sustainable development that takes into consideration the health of humans, other species and the planet as a whole.
