African forests, climate change and the green economy. Policy Brief Vol. 2 (1)

Environmental and economic sustainability and human well being are dependent on large, widespread and healthy forests. But current economic policies and conditions mean that forest capital assets are being liquidated for limited private and short-term gains at alarming rates. An alternative economic scenario is being put forward in the shape of the green economy, and forests are at its root. Moving towards a green economy will require investments to reduce carbon emissions, enhance the efficiency of resource use, prevent losses in forest biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services, and reduce social inequality.