Search

The planet and its resources are under pressure. Forests, agricultural land and other natural resources are increasingly subject to conflict, and negotiation is needed on multiple land uses and between users. Integrated land-use planning, which aims to better organize and optimize the use of land and natural resources across sectors and users, is thus an essential pillar of sustainable development. Landscapes must meet multiple needs, from providing space for homes and infrastructure to supporting agricultural and industrial production, to conserving and restoring ecosystems and their biodiversity. Ecosystem values are often overlooked in the search for short-term gains and quick economic profits. However, healthy ecosystems, including forests, are vital for human and environmental well-being and they play a role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The degradation of ecosystems and the services they provide may limit or reverse development in the long term. Integrated planning and action are needed to meet varied expectations and to achieve sustainable development within a landscape.

An overview of a training that marked the launch of capacity building efforts on the new UN-REDD Gender Marker Rating System, an effort to promote gender equality within the 2018-2020 Technical Assistance Programme by establishing a clear framework for identifying areas for mainstreaming gender and for monitoring progress.

For Nigeria to contribute to climate change mitigation through improved forest conservation and enhancing sustainable community livelihoods, the REDD+ mechanism has been activated using Cross River State (CRS) as a demonstration model. One of the priorities of REDD+ readiness in Nigeria and CRS has been identified as gender equality and social inclusion and thus steps have been taken to address gender issues by promoting a gender approach within REDD+ projects programmes. This Information Note attempts to address this issue by acknowledging and recognizing women’s critical efforts around sustainable management of forests. In this process, it highlights women’s use of indigenous knowledge systems to address climate change and its effect on communities and the vital role women play in forest conservation.