Over 3,000 global experts and concerned citizens from 114 countries have supported and signed a key Declaration that aims to promote the long-term protection and restoration of natural forest ecosystems worldwide.

Published today in the journal Plants, People, Planet, the ‘Kew Declaration on Reforestation for Biodiversity, Carbon Capture and Livelihoods‘ encourages policies and frameworks to protect intact forests and ensure effective restoration strategies to safeguard biodiversity, mitigate climate change and improve livelihoods.

Tree planting is often touted as an easy answer to the climate crisis as well as a convenient way for corporate companies to mitigate their carbon emissions.

However, inappropriate tree planting can cause more harm than good to both nature and people.

The Declaration is based on a synthesis of evidence, discussions and conclusions presented at the Reforestation for Biodiversity, Carbon Capture and Livelihoods conference, hosted by Kew and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) earlier in the year.

It additionally incorporates evidence published in the scientific literature, including the ‘Ten golden rules for reforestation’, a review paper based on the latest ecological research that sets out a framework for reforestation projects to maximise the benefits for people and the planet.

Among the list of signatures, which came from 423 organisations and 2,612 individuals, were key signatories such as 1t.org, Trillion Trees, the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, the World Agroforestry Center, Plan Vivo, Ecosia and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Dr Kate Hardwick, Conservation Partnership Coordinator at RBG Kew says,

“The loss of natural forest habitat has a devastating impact on biodiversity, climate change, the livelihoods of local and indigenous people and the spread of zoonotic diseases. We want policy makers, funders and project managers to make the protection of existing natural forests their top priority, and then to safeguard and enhance biodiversity at every stage of the reforestation process.”

Dr Paul Smith, BGCI says,

“We’ll be presenting the Kew Declaration and Ten golden rules paper at the forthcoming key meetings including the IUCN World Conservation Congress next month, and of course COP26, where we will ask reforestation stakeholders to commit to implementing the principles therein. We’re also planning the development of of an international biodiversity certification system, to guide practitioners towards meeting specific biodiversity standards and provide credibility to those who do.”

We are now calling on policymakers, reforestation practitioners and financiers to implement the principles outlined in the Kew Declaration and ‘Ten golden rules’, and would be very grateful for your continued support.

How you can help

Please publicise your support for the Kew Declaration via social media, newsletters, blogs and other channels:

• Don’t forget to mention if you or your organisation are on the list of signatories.
• Include a link to the Declaration and Ten golden rules.
• Feel free to share this short video or news post summarising the Declaration.
• Include #ReforestationConference @KewScience @BGCI in your social posts.
• You are welcome to share our Twitter and LinkedIn posts.

Next steps

We plan to:

• Present the Declaration and Ten golden rules at the forthcoming COP26 (November 2021) and other key meetings, where we will ask reforestation stakeholders to commit to implementing the principles therein.
• Propose the development of an international biodiversity certification system, to guide practitioners towards meeting specific biodiversity standards and provide credibility to those who do.