The world is projected to miss the majority of its 2030 forest commitments, with just seven of 26 Global Forest Goals broadly achieved, according to the U.N. Global Forest Goals Report 2026 and reported on by Wood Central. Global forest area already declined more than 40 million hectares (nearly 100 million acres) between 2015 and 2025, according to the report, adding that in 2026, forests covered 4.14 billion hectares (about 10 billion acres), or 32% of global land area.
The report, which draws on voluntary accounts from 48 countries representing 51% of the global forest area, warned that 17 of the 26 goals are partially on track, while two are completely off target. Subsequently, many countries have reported policy reforms, increased restoration efforts, bolstered forest governance and greater international cooperation.
Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination at the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs Bjørg Sandkjær is pushing for policy and investment decisions that support the worldwide forest area. “Investing in forests is investing in climate stability, resilient economies and the well-being of present and future generations,” he said.
Without equally robust efforts to meet the Global Forest Goals across all regions involved, the current policy gains won’t be enough; deforestation, climate change, wildfires, pests and illegal activity will continue to threaten forests on a global scale, the report warned.
“Strengthening political commitment, financing and cross-sector coordination will determine whether the Global Forest Goals can be achieved,” Director of the U.N. Forum on Forests Secretariat at U.N. DESA Juliette Biao said.
Find The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 here.
