As we celebrate this year’s International Day of Forests, themed “Forests and Food,” we recognize the indispensable role forests play in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. 

Forests cover roughly 30% of the Earth’s land and serve as vital carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. These ecosystems sustain biodiversity, support food systems and mitigate climate change, making them essential for planetary and human health.

However, forests face mounting threats. Deforestation driven by agriculture, urbanization and industrial expansion is accelerating, putting these critical ecosystems at risk. The global demand for agricultural commodities – found in everyday products – continues to fuel large-scale tree loss. Since the end of the last ice age, the world has lost one-third of its forests, with vast areas cleared for crops and livestock. Meanwhile, urbanization is reducing people’s connection to nature, harming both environmental health and mental wellbeing.

Addressing these challenges requires integrated forest and woodland management strategies. SEI tools like Trase and projects such as Branching Out, TRADE Hub, Pocket Parks, and PURE advocate for sustainable, climate-resilient approaches that enhance the role of trees in achieving broader societal goals.

At International Day of Forests 2025, SEI researchers based at the University of York share insights into why forests matter and offer guidance on how to better care for these essential ecosystems – for the benefit of people and the planet.

In December 2024, the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) indicator became an official UK statistic. Developed by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and SEI with Defra and GCRF TRADE Hub funding,  GEIC provides data on deforestation, biodiversity loss and water use linked to national consumption. The December update introduced a new biodiversity metric, the LIFE Score, which explicitly links global land use changes to extinction risks for individual species.

Despite its significance, GEIC was excluded from the Global Biodiversity Framework at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16 following political negotiations. While many countries supported retaining it, opposition from some parties led to its removal. Looking ahead, SEI aims to work with countries to promote indicator’s adoption within the CBD and national reporting frameworks, to enhance understanding of both domestic and offshore environmental impacts.

Cities and trees may seem at odds, but urban forests provide invaluable benefits. Our research in rapidly developing cities across East Africa and Southeast Asia reveals that roadside trees offer cooling, shade, and improved air quality, enhancing health and wellbeing. By making walking and cycling more appealing, urban greening supports active travel, reduces emissions, and promotes sustainability.

Beyond climate resilience, urban trees aid in stormwater management, reducing the risk and cost of surface water flooding. They also mitigate the urban heat island effect, where concrete and tarmac surfaces create extreme temperatures that endanger residents – especially vulnerable groups like children and older people.  Additionally, urban trees create habitats for insects, birds and other wildlife, bridging the gap between rural and urban ecosystems.

Managing trees in cities presents challenges for planners and engineers, but their benefits – healthier, happier and more resilient urban spaces – are irreplaceable.

Trees play a vital ecological role in agroforestry regimes by conserving soil, water and cycling nutrients. The Agroforestry approach integrates forests, agricultural lands and pastures to promote sustainable land use. However, a key challenge in global environmental governance is the tension between food production and conservation. While trees help restore farmland and mitigate agricultural impacts, rising food demand – driven by global trade and economic shifts – accelerates deforestation and biodiversity loss.

A clear example is China’s shift in soybean imports from the US to Brazil following a trade dispute. This transition led to a significant expansion of cultivated land in Brazil to meet the surge in demand – at the cost of increased deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Agroforestry offers a way to balance food production with environmental sustainability. For instance, under-tree cropping systems plant carbon-sequestering tree species within farmland to enhance soil fertility and resilience. Brazil’s Cocoa Agroforestry System (Cabruca) grows cocoa beneath shade trees rather than clearing forests for monoculture cocoa cultivation, reducing vulnerability to climate change.

Urban trees provide more than just greenery – they have the potential to enhance food security and community wellbeing. The Branching Out project engaged UK residents across three cities to envision the future of their urban treescapes. Through storytelling exercises, participants identified their priorities: health, quality of life, family security and environmental protection. Community orchards and fruit trees emerged as key solutions, combining local food production with social interaction and cohesion spaces.

In Milton Keynes, residents imagined orchards as community hubs, offering accessible food and places to gather. In Cardiff, greenways lined with hedgerows and fruit trees were seen to encourage active travel, foster biodiversity and strengthen people’s daily connection to nature.

While urban forests are not traditionally viewed as sources of goods like timber, local food security was a shared concern. As global uncertainties grow, European urban forests could play a crucial role in sustaining communities.

As our experts have shown, protecting them is an environmental priority and necessary for resilient societies. From tracking deforestation to advocating for urban treescapes and sustainable food systems, solutions exist to balance human needs with ecosystem health. However, meaningful change requires action at every level – policy shifts, sustainable consumer choices and community engagement.