Sustaining Forests: Investing in our Common Future - UNEP Policy Series Ecosystem Management Issue 5 August 2011

This policy brief seeks to outline how forests can be a key part of a green economy that provides opportunities for innovative solutions to forest management. Forests are key assets in the structuring of a green economy as they provide a wide variety of services, including ecological infrastructure, which comprises public goods such as water and carbon regulation and tradeable goods such as timber, fibre, biomass and non-timber forest products. They also act as a source of livelihood, natural insurance, adaptation, employment and health services. Focusing on forests helps draw attention to the importance of creating a green economy at the local, regional and global levels.