UN adopts new Forest Accord

The UN General Assembly has adopted a new forest accord aimed at protecting forests in large part to support the communities that rely upon them for fuel, food, medicine and income. Although lauded by its sponsors as a major step towards controlling deforestation, the accord is non-binding on nations. However, it does provide forest management standards aimed at preserving forests for forest users.

Other ongoing international efforts to curb deforestation include the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation program, arising out of the December UN climate conference in Bali, which pays local communities to refrain from clearing forests.