Sustainable Development Goals are United Nation's global targets to improve our society and environment.
New research shows that reaching these goals will have mixed impacts on forests. Researchers studied hundreds of papers on development goals. Goals of improved peace, good health, and quality education will impact forests positively.
But others like creating new roads, industries and infrastructure, will impact negatively. Other damaging impacts include efforts to combat Colombia's cocaine problem crime. Eradicating coca crops forced people to move their activities elsewhere or switch to even more damaging agricultural practices.
Beneficial impacts are more numerous than damaging ones, but are less well understood. Identifying and understanding these will help capitalize on positive ones. Agriculture, energy, transport, and forest sectors must work together to avoid negative consequences.
Forests help fight climate change and prevent soil erosion. Over a billion people live near forests, and millions depend on it for fuel, food and timber.
Original article:
How global sustainable development will affect forests
Original study:
Consequences of recreational hunting for biodiversity conservation and livelihoods