People and forests

Indigenous Peoples and traditional forest-related knowledge

FAO/Brent Stirton Getty images for FAO CIRAD CIFOR WCS

Micro, small and medium-scale forest enterprises

News

Issues Brief: Forests, energy and livelihoods

Linking forests, energy and livelihoods can help achieve SDGs

04/04/2023

New York – More integrated approaches between forests, energy and livelihoods can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a joint brief published today by the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat, FAO, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations and the United Nations Development Programme.

Can Africa make charcoal more sustainable?

22/03/2023

Rome - Much of Africa is highly dependent on charcoal as a cooking fuel, yet most countries do not have policies in place that would help make the sector more sustainable, according to a new FAO report. The report, entitled

© Brent Stirton Getty Images for FAO, CIRAD, CIFOR, WCS

Why we need healthy forests for healthy people

21/03/2023

As we mark the International Day of Forests today, it is worth remembering that there are many reasons to appreciate forests – and that even if we never set foot in them, forests keep us all healthy.

Publications

The number of forest- and tree-proximate people – A new methodology and global estimates

2022

This study combined tree cover and human population density data to map the spatial relationship between forests, trees and people on a global scale providing estimates of the number of forest-proximate people and tree-proximate people for 2019.

Global assessment of forest education

2022

This report reveals some overarching actions that would benefit forest education, including ameliorating a negative public image of professional forest-related jobs and careers; developing better collaboration between educational institutions, the forest sector (private and public) and the general public; improving demographic diversity in the post-secondary student population; and strengthening digital readiness at all levels of education.

Mountain women of the world – Challenges, resilience and collective power

2022

This publication highlights the stories and voices of mountain women, with a focus on rural areas and mountain tourism, and outlines a path forward to promote their empowerment and help them to realize their potential as agents of sustainable mountain development.

Videos

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in the Philippines

01/03/2024

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests.

Grass charcoal production in Ghana

01/08/2023

In Ghana, small producers are revolutionizing the production of charcoal. By using savanna grasses to make charcoal briquettes producers promote renewable...

Forests for a sustainable future: Educating children in Tanzania

01/07/2023

FAO is teaching children in Tanzania about the importance of managing forests sustainably. A three-year-project funded by Germany has developed forest...

Restoring land and livelihoods with beekeeping in Tanzania

20/05/2023

In northern Tanzania, recurring drought in recent years caused by climate change has put pressure on communities who make their livelihoods by keeping...

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in Tanzania

01/05/2023

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests. “Forests...

Sustainable wood: Climate-friendly cities

01/12/2022

Find more videos on the FAO Forestry YouTube playlist

Sustainable wood: Housing a growing population

27/10/2022

A growing population means more buildings to fit everyone. By 2030, we will have to house an additional 3 billion people. Using wood from sustainably...

Sustainable Wood: Building the future

13/10/2022

Wood can be a material of the future, helping to build a bio-economy for the planet's health and economic recovery. Durable “cross-laminated timber”...

Indigenous Peoples’ food systems

06/08/2021

This video provides an overview on the common and unique sustainability elements of Indigenous Peoples' food systems.

International Day of Forests 2021: Forest restoration – a path to recovery and well-being

21/03/2021

Restoring forests helps build a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations. By replanting and managing forests sustainably, we can help...