Forests account for a little over one-third (38%) of habitable land area. This is around one-quarter (26%) of total (both habitable and uninhabitable) land area. 10% of the world is covered by glaciers, and a further 19% is barren land, deserts, dry salt flats, beaches, sand dunes, and exposed rocks. This leaves what we call habitable land.

This marks a significant change from the past: global forest area has reduced significantly due to the expansion of agriculture. Today half of global habitable land is used for farming. The area used for livestock farming in particular is equal in area to the world's forests.

Forests are complex systems that are the home to people, plants, animals and insects. They provide us with many important ecosystem services and thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen the forests of the world are often described as the lungs of the Earth. The sector can play an active role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and land use changes. Sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices can provide innovative sustainable landscape management to safeguard multiple ecosystem services for the provision of economic opportunities that support local livelihoods.