Global Forest Goals Report 2026:
A new United Nations assessment titled Global Forest Goals Report 2026 warned that rising demand for fuelwood and charcoal has emerged as a major driver of global forest degradation, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia.
- The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 is a UN assessment report prepared by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat.
Key Findings in the Report:
- Global Forest Decline: Forest cover declined from 4.18 billion hectares (2015) to 4.14 billion hectares (2025), with a net annual loss of 4.12 million hectares.
- Primary Forest Loss: The world lost nearly 16 million hectares of primary forests between 2015–2025, with South America recording the largest decline.
- Fuelwood as a Major Driver: Growing demand for fuelwood and charcoal emerged as a major cause of forest degradation, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
- Agricultural Expansion: Conversion of forests into agricultural land remained the largest global driver of deforestation.
- Climate Pressures Intensifying: Droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, pests, and diseases are accelerating forest degradation worldwide.
- Restoration Gap: Although 91 countries pledged to restore 190 million hectares of forests, only 44 million hectares had been restored by 2025.
- Asia’s Progress: Asia recorded the highest restoration performance, restoring over 31 million hectares (42.2% of pledged area).
