The Non-legally Binding Instrument (NLBI) adopted by the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) identifies seven thematic elements as a “reference framework” for SFM. These are: 1) extent of forest resources; 2) forest biological diversity; 3) forest health and vitality; 4) productive functions of forest resources; 5) protective functions of forest resources; 6) socio-economic functions of forest resources; and 7) legal, policy and institutional framework.

These elements allow forest owners and stakeholders to define SFM in specific countries and locations, including the management objectives and how forests should be managed to achieve them, while respecting the basic principle of perpetuity in the maintenance and enhancement of forest values.

SFM is a dynamic and multifaceted approach that recognizes forests' diverse functions. SFM adapts to changing local and national conditions, allowing forests to serve multiple purposes simultaneously. It involves decision-making to balance competing interests among stakeholders through participatory approaches and effective management systems based on best available science, traditional knowledge and state-of-the-art technologies.

Originally focused on sustainable timber production, SFM has expanded to encompass social, cultural, and environmental values in natural and planted forests, adding complexity to its implementation. In countries with good forest governance, national goals for SFM are defined through democratic processes without compromising economic, social, or environmental forest management needs. As societal values evolve, so do forest management objectives.

Forest management is a continuous improvement process that considers new information and adapts objectives in response to changing circumstances. SFM recognizes that forests are dynamic and subject to natural and human disturbances, emphasizing the need to maintain forest resilience while ensuring adaptation to long-term environmental changes.

SFM operates at various geographic scales, from global to local levels, and adapts to specific contexts:

1) Global and national scales: SFM aims to contribute to the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all forest types. It addresses global environmental services such as climate-change mitigation and biodiversity conservation at the international level.

2) Subnational and landscape scales: Increasing recognition of forests' socio-economic, environmental and cultural importance has led to new SFM approaches focusing on maintaining and enhancing forest ecosystem services. Participatory planning processes are employed at subnational and landscape levels to define SFM for specific areas, considering local contexts.

3) Forest Management Unit (FMU) scale: SFM is implemented at the FMU level to achieve objectives under specific local conditions. National SFM goals provide a framework for subnational plans, guiding FMUs to set their own goals while considering landscape-level requirements such as biodiversity conservation, soil and water protection, and ecosystem resilience.

In essence, SFM operates across these scales to ensure that forests serve a variety of functions and maintain their ecological, social, and economic values while adapting to local conditions and global priorities.

SFM is a challenging yet practical concept that has proven to be economically, socially and environmentally viable worldwide. Practical examples demonstrate its feasibility and importance for preserving forests and the multitude of products and services they offer for future generations. Preventing forest degradation and deforestation is much more cost-effective than large-scale forest restoration, which often requires significant financial resources. Creating an enabling environment is crucial for successful SFM implementation. Democracy, good governance and the rule of law are recognized as key preconditions for sustainable development. Additionally, a supportive environment for SFM includes sound policies and legislation specific to forests, effective enforcement mechanisms, well-structured institutions, functional markets for forest products and services, and appropriate financing methods. Proper land-use planning is also essential for facilitating SFM implementation.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines a collective vision for global peace and prosperity. Central to this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for urgent action from all countries, developed and developing, in a worldwide partnership. These goals recognize that eliminating poverty and addressing other forms of deprivation must be accompanied by efforts to improve health and education, reduce inequality, stimulate economic growth, combat climate change, and safeguard our oceans and forests.

Forests are prominently featured in SDG 15, which focuses on protecting terrestrial ecosystems, managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, halting land degradation, and reversing biodiversity loss. SDG 15 includes specific targets related to SFM, restoration, and conservation. SFM plays a vital role in achieving all targets under SDG 15, including curbing deforestation and degradation, stopping biodiversity loss, countering the impact of invasive species, combating wildlife poaching and trafficking, and promoting fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. However, it is important to note that forests and trees have broader-reaching impacts that extend beyond SDG 15. They contribute significantly to multiple goals and targets within the 2030 Agenda. Forest management benefits both urban and rural communities and is crucial for the planet's health and long-term sustainability. Strategies to attain the SDGs should consider the interconnectedness between forests and various development goals.

The State of World’s Forests 2020 explored the role of forests and trees in advancing sustainable development. It highlighted the intricate connections between forests and numerous goals and targets within the 2030 Agenda. This understanding aids policymakers in finding the right balance in their actions, investments and partnerships, ensuring progress in areas such as food security, poverty reduction, natural resource conservation, and the pursuit of it.

are impacted by external factors such as macroeconomic policies and competition for land in agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. These land-use pressures, combined with policies that do not fully account for the multiple values of forests, have substantial implications on forest management. To address these challenges, greater intersectoral cooperation is needed to create an enabling environment for SFM, especially in diverse national and local contexts.

Integrating forest considerations into national policies related to rural development, agriculture, food security and infrastructure investment is critical. Although the importance of forests to local livelihoods is increasingly acknowledged, the lack of solid evidence on this role results in insufficient inclusion of forests in national poverty alleviation and development strategies. Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating such evidence should be part of forest-sector monitoring and reporting to facilitate dialogue with governments and stakeholders in this regard.

Intensive agricultural practices designed to meet food, wood and fiber demands have come at a considerable cost to society and the environment. These costs include forest loss, land degradation, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, reduced ecosystem services and negative externalities including water pollution, overuse of water resources, wetland loss, soil degradation, pesticide-related environmental and health issues and greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer and fossil fuel use.

Given the growing pressure on natural resources, enhanced governance is essential to address complex linkages and competition among land-use sectors. More integrated and cross-sectoral approaches, such as landscape-based planning, agroecology and sustainable value chains, are needed to shift policies and practices toward sustainability. Implementing such approaches can optimize resource management to ensure food security, meet societal demands, and achieve various development goals while also building resilience and mitigating climate change impacts. Sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries play a significant role in this endeavor.

Sustainability in forest management must prioritize long-term considerations. While short-term changes may result from management interventions within a forest stand, the primary focus is on preserving resilience and all forest values over an extended period and on a broader scale.

SFM requires monitoring at various spatial levels, with periodic data aggregation at larger scales. This monitoring helps identify corrective actions where needed. The implementation of SFM is an ongoing, iterative process that involves adapting and adjusting over time to ensure that forests continue to thrive and provide their full range of benefits.

FAO is the custodian agency for 21 indicators across all SDGs, including three indicators for targets 15.1, 15.2 and 15.4. FAO’s main tasks as a custodian agency are the development of methodologies to measure progress; the collection, compilation and validation of data; the submission of data and storylines to the United Nations Statistical Division; and the provision of support to enable countries to develop their reporting capacity.

Indicator 15.2.1 measures progress on the three dimensions of SFM. Detailed SDG monitoring data is available on FAO’s SDG Indicators Data Portal.  

Since 1946, FAO has been conducting assessments of the world's forest resources in collaboration with its member countries. The Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) a comprehensive overview of the state of the world's forests and how this resource is changing. This information is crucial for developing sound policies, practices, and investments related to forests and forestry.

The most recent assessment, FRA 2020, examined the status and trends of over 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories during the period from 1990 to 2020. FRA 2020 collected data using agreed-upon terms and definitions through a transparent and traceable reporting process, facilitated by a network of officially designated national correspondents covering 187 countries and territories. Over 700 individuals were directly involved in this process, contributing to the comprehensive understanding of the world's forests. The FRA 2020 report and additional information can be accessed here.