Can Economic Growth and Forests Thrive Together? A Groundbreaking Study Provides a Path Forward for 48 Tropical Countries

Redacción HC
28/12/2023

Tropical forests are essential to our planet’s health. They absorb carbon, shelter biodiversity, regulate rainfall, and support millions of people. Yet they are rapidly disappearing. As nations in the Global South pursue the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they face a difficult question: Can they grow economically without losing their forests? A landmark study published in PLOS Sustainability and Transformation may offer an answer—and a framework to guide the way.

The Tug-of-War Between Growth and Green

For many tropical countries, the drive to reduce poverty, expand infrastructure, and boost energy access is not just desirable—it’s urgent. But these goals often come at the expense of forests. Roads slice through old-growth ecosystems. Industrial farms displace native tree cover. Dams and pipelines fragment once-intact habitats. The researchers behind this new study argue that unless carefully managed, development could be “a key deforestation driver in the decades ahead.”

Using national-level data from 48 tropical countries, the team developed an assessment framework to help governments evaluate how specific SDG-aligned development goals impact forests—both positively and negatively.

“Our aim is to support national planning processes that minimize forest loss while maximizing benefits to people,” the authors explain.

A Practical Tool for Policymakers

The study—led by Carr, Spracklen, Brasington, Canosa, Fagundes, Messina, and Sallu—categorizes the interactions between development policies and forest conservation into three key groups:

1. Risks

These are actions likely to accelerate deforestation. Chief among them are:

• Agricultural expansion: Often unregulated and extensive, especially for export crops.
• Infrastructure development: Roads, railways, and cities frequently lead to permanent land-use changes and forest fragmentation.
• Large-scale energy projects: Including dams and biomass initiatives, which convert forest areas or disrupt ecosystems.

2. Opportunities

Some SDG-related goals could support forest preservation—if implemented thoughtfully:

• Ecotourism: When community-led and sustainably managed, tourism can generate conservation funds.
• Clean energy: Replacing firewood with solar or electric alternatives reduces pressure on forests.
• Forest-related jobs: Creating employment in agroforestry or forest monitoring aligns livelihoods with ecosystem protection.

3. Enabling Conditions

These aren’t direct actions, but they strengthen systems that safeguard forests:

• Land-use planning
• Effective governance
• Sustainable finance and investment mechanisms

What the Data Reveals: Trends and Tensions

The findings reflect a mixed landscape. Many development strategies pose significant threats, but there are clear pathways toward “win-win” scenarios.

Agriculture and Infrastructure: Still Leading Causes of Deforestation

According to the study, agriculture remains the most persistent and expansive driver of forest loss. Infrastructure—particularly in the form of roads and cities—is close behind. Together, these sectors continue to push the forest frontier outward, often with minimal environmental oversight.

The Hidden Threat of Energy Expansion

One of the study’s novel contributions is spotlighting energy infrastructure as a growing concern. Hydropower dams, high-voltage transmission lines, and bioenergy plantations are proliferating across the tropics. While meant to advance clean energy goals, these projects often replace biodiverse landscapes and disrupt watershed functions.

“The forest impacts of energy systems are underappreciated,” the authors warn. “They may represent the next wave of deforestation if not carefully managed.”

Tourism, Poverty Reduction, and Industry: Double-Edged Swords

Not all development sectors fall neatly into “risk” or “opportunity.” Tourism, for instance, can protect forests through ecotourism—but may also lead to habitat destruction if mismanaged. Similarly, poverty alleviation could ease pressure on land, or increase resource consumption depending on how gains are distributed.

This highlights a core challenge: Context matters. The same policy may help or harm forests depending on local governance, enforcement capacity, and community involvement.

Untapped Potential in “Enabling” Areas

The study finds significant promise in less-explored interventions:

• Clean fuels: Providing alternatives to firewood for cooking can protect forest biomass.
• Managed migration: Planning rural-to-urban movement can prevent unplanned settlement in forest frontiers.
• Green employment: Investing in forest-friendly jobs supports both economic and ecological goals.

A Policy Roadmap for Forest-Smart Development

The authors argue that their framework can serve as a diagnostic and planning tool for governments and development partners. With it, they can:

• Spot high-risk policies early and modify them before implementation.
• Design integrated policies that combine poverty alleviation with forest conservation.
• Prioritize investments in systems that enable long-term sustainability—like land tenure, education, and monitoring.

This approach is already generating interest. Countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia—all under pressure to reconcile development with forest protection—stand to benefit from a more coordinated, evidence-based strategy.

A Call to Rethink Conservation

Beyond offering technical recommendations, this study calls for a reframing of conservation itself. Forests, the authors argue, should not be seen as isolated reserves. Instead, they must be understood as integral to development—connected to health, climate stability, food systems, and rural livelihoods.

“Forest conservation is not a barrier to development,” the study asserts. “It is a foundation for it.”

This reframing aligns with growing global trends toward nature-based solutions and the integration of biodiversity into national development plans. The framework can help operationalize those visions, moving from rhetoric to reality.

Conclusion: Making Room for Forests in a Developing World

The message of this study is clear: Development doesn’t have to cost the Earth. With smart planning, it is possible to build roads that avoid key habitats, promote industries that regenerate landscapes, and reduce poverty while keeping forests standing.

The framework presented is a practical, flexible tool for aligning national priorities with global environmental goals. As the planet faces twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, such integrative approaches are no longer optional—they’re essential.

Governments, international donors, and civil society must now rise to the challenge: to shape a model of prosperity that doesn't clear-cut the future.

 

Topics of interest

 Biodiversity  Climate