The ongoing decline of biodiversity and resilience in natural forests in the Asia-Pacific region must be reversed. Forests and landscapes in the Asia-Pacific region are under increasing pressure from climate change, economic growth, infrastructure development, forest conversion, conflicts and other stressors. Despite an overall increase in forest area since 2000 due to the establishment of new forests, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in natural forests are declining along with the capacity of these forests to deliver water and soil protection, climate regulation, amenity and cultural values, and wood, foods and medicines. Reversing this trend must be a priority for all countries in the region now and in the next decade to ensure our survival, especially in the face of dangerous climate change.

Avoiding further environmental catastrophes by mid-century requires a transformation in the way forests and landscapes are managed. This report examines the drivers of change in the forest sector in the Asia-Pacific region and analyses three scenarios – business-as-usual, aspirational and disruptive – for 2030 and 2050 to help policymakers and others decide on actions for avoiding environmental catastrophe. It finds that sustainable development will only be achieved in the region if we commit to transformational change (i.e. the aspirational scenario) by working cross-sectorally and across borders, investing massively to restore forests and landscapes, reforming forest tenure and outdated institutions, empowering communities, and embracing innovation. Business as usual will be insufficient.

Strengthening management of the region’s forests and landscapes requires that countries work much more closely together. Demand for forest products and ecosystem services goes beyond borders. Water, wildlife, fire and forest pests don’t recognize administrative or sectoral boundaries. Logging bans and restrictions in some countries have put pressure on forests in others. Achieving sustainable forest and landscape management, therefore, requires strong regional and global collaboration. Existing cooperation, although commendable, needs to be greatly strengthened to enable active transboundary resource management.