Environment

Facts on forests, water, and climate: global trends and the state of natural resources.

Forest Cover and Forest Loss

Forests cover about 31% of the world’s land area (FAO). Global tree cover loss reached 29.6 million hectares in 2024 (up from 13.4 million hectares in 2001). Since 2000, the world has lost 517 million hectares of tree cover—about 13% of global tree cover in 2000 (Global Forest Watch). Tropical primary rainforest loss in 2024 reached 6.7 million hectares, an 80% increase from 2023 and the highest in at least two decades; that loss caused about 3.1 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions. Fires were the dominant cause in 2024, burning about 5 times more tropical primary forest than in 2023.

Countries with Highest Tree Cover Loss (2024)

Russia (~5.18 million ha), Canada (~5.17 million ha), and Brazil (~4.39 million ha) had the highest tree cover loss. The Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia remain major deforestation hotspots. Sustainable forestry, protected areas, and policies that value standing forests are important for slowing loss.

Water Availability and Stress

Freshwater is unevenly distributed. The UN reports that billions of people still lack safely managed drinking water or sanitation. Agriculture uses the largest share of the world’s freshwater; industry and cities also need large amounts. Many regions face water stress (demand close to or above supply)—including parts of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Australia.

Water Scarcity

Water scarcity can be physical (low supply) or economic (lack of infrastructure). Climate change affects rainfall and snowpack, making some areas drier and others wetter. Efficient use, reuse, and better management are essential for water security.

Climate and Sustainability

Global average temperature has risen compared to pre-industrial levels. This is linked to greenhouse gas emissions from energy, transport, industry, and land use. Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather, sea-level rise, and impacts on health and food production. Mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (coping with change) are both needed. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit warming and support sustainable development.

Key Figures (FAO, UN, Global Forest Watch)

Forests cover about 4 billion hectares globally (around 31% of land). Since 2000, net forest area has decreased in the tropics and increased in some temperate regions. Over 2 billion people depend on forests for fuel, food, or income. The UN reports that achieving land degradation neutrality and halting deforestation are among the Sustainable Development Goals; progress is tracked using official statistics updated regularly. This site is updated every six months with the latest available data.