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On Jan. 1, 2022, FTA celebrates 10 years of research
The world's largest research-for-development partnership for forest and tree-based landscapes is completing a 10-year cycle. It's time to assess results, evaluate impacts and plan for the future.
On an agroforestry farm (2021-11-08) by Dharmi Bradley/FTAThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
A new highlights series showcases FTA's best work
With 16 topic reports plus the introduction and conclusion, the series summarizes the main results, findings and achievements of FTA and its partners between 2011-2021. The series makes the partnership's large body of work accessible to the public and other stakeholders.
The core message? Trees drive sustainable development!
An estimated 1.6 billion people depend on forests and trees for their livelihoods. Trees facilitate jobs, contribute to food security and nutrition and improve resilience for millions of people facing the worst effects of climate change and landscape degradation.
FTA's 5 challenges and solutions (2021-11-12) by FTAThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
At the core of FTA's work are 5 specific challenges...
for people & the planet
• Accelerating rates of deforestation and forest degradation
• Persistent rural poverty
• Global need for improved food security and nutrition
• Unsustainable land-use practices
• Degraded land and ecosystem services
Addressing the 5 challenges = creating positive impact
FTA's integrated, tree-based approaches have responded to the challenges and produced real results:
• More forests are protected
• More people have means to exit poverty
• Improved food security and nutrition
• Improved land management
• More land restoration
Solar panels in Yangambi (2021-11-08) by Axel Fassio/CIFORThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
To be impactful, the research was designed to...
Center on people's needs, develop and support markets for renewable tree products, influence policies globally and produce valuable innovations and technologies.
People at the center
The way people use land is connected to their identities, values and local contexts. Individuals interact with the systems around them over time to shape tomorrow's choices. Interventions must therefore put people's needs at the center of sustainable planning and innovation.
Sustained agility (2021-11-09) by FTAThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
Sustained agility is critical
'Green' futures require a paradigm shift in the direction of human development to balance economic productivity with environmental sustainability. Solutions must consider social, economic and environmental factors. This holistic approach bleeds into every aspect of FTA's work.
Developing markets and green growth
FTA encourages investment in more sustainable value chains that allow local communities to generate stable income while acting as stewards for trees and forests. The partnership has worked to develop markets in diverse sectors (e.g. timber, rubber, cocoa, coffee, woodfuel etc.).
Magnified seed (2010-02-10) by Niel Palmer/CIATThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
FTA and its donors have invested $850+ million in 10 years
These funds were used to restore forest and tree-based landscapes, develop "green" value chains, influence policies and fund research. While encouraging, experts estimate we need trillions of dollars more to restore natural ecosystems and keep climate change below 1.5°C.
Fair, inclusive and flexible policies for trees and forests
Often, policies aimed at protecting forests cause local communities to lose access to resources such as timber and tree foods. Decisions about who is allowed to own, manage and benefit from landscapes must be responsive, adaptable, fair and inclusive for all.
Woman working in tea plantation (2013-01-31) by Mokhamad Edliadi/CIFORThe CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA)
Policy advocacy powers FTA's research → impact approach
Through high-profile events such as the FTA-Kunming Conference, 2021 and policy consultancy in countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka, the organization is able to bring together various stakeholders to agree on common goals and impact pathways.
Increasing innovation and know-how
Finding nature-based solutions that work at scale means we need ongoing research and innovation to test hypotheses. The more different groups work together and share information the higher the likelihood of sustainable outcomes. This is called co-creation of knowledge.
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Into the future
The past 10 years of research from FTA and its partners have had enormous impact, laying a solid foundation for sustainable forests, trees and agroforestry systems. FTA concepts, innovations, methods, results and policy recommendations pave a path to achieve the SDGs.
Keep exploring the highlights series!
Read more with these 18 reports on forest, tree and agroforestry research.
1. FTA Highlights of a Decade, 2011-2021
Further readings:
https://www.foreststreesagroforestry.org/fta-highlights-of-a-decade-2011-2021/
https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
https://www.foreststreesagroforestry.org/forests-trees-and-agroforestry-for-diverse-sustainable-landscapes/fta-kunming-scientific-conference-recommendations/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_SR7G_7c_I&t=6s
https://www.foreststreesagroforestry.org/news-article/nepal-now-the-second-country-with-a-national-agroforestry-policy/
https://iucn.org/our-work/nature-based-solutions
