Introduction
The urgency of addressing climate change has never been clearer, as underscored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 2023 Synthesis Report, a sobering call to action for governments, businesses, and communities worldwide. Rita Hite, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), has echoed this urgency, emphasizing that “we must activate all tools, including natural climate solutions, to fight climate change.” Her statement, in response to the IPCC’s findings, highlights the critical role of forests, particularly family-owned forests, in mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration and sustainable management. This article explores the IPCC’s key findings, AFF’s innovative approaches like the Family Forest Carbon Program, and the broader imperative to leverage all available solutions to secure a sustainable future.
The IPCC’s Urgent Call to Action
The IPCC, established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is the world’s leading authority on climate science. Its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), culminating in the March 2023 Synthesis Report, compiles findings from thousands of scientists, detailing the state of climate change, its impacts, and solutions. The report warns that global warming, currently at 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, is already causing widespread disruption, from extreme weather events to ecosystem collapse. Without immediate action, warming is projected to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2035, with catastrophic consequences if it exceeds this threshold.
The IPCC stresses that emissions must peak before 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 to stay within the 1.5°C limit. Failure to act risks irreversible impacts, including rising sea levels, mass species extinction, and increased vulnerability for marginalized communities. However, the report also offers hope, identifying feasible, cost-effective solutions like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and natural climate solutions such as forest conservation and restoration. These solutions, if scaled rapidly, can mitigate climate change and enhance resilience.
Rita Hite’s response aligns with the IPCC’s call for urgent, multifaceted action. She emphasizes that forests, which cover 290 million acres of family-owned land in the U.S., are a powerful yet underutilized tool in the climate fight. By integrating forest-based solutions into carbon markets, AFF is unlocking the potential of these lands to sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and provide economic benefits to landowners.
The Role of Forests in Climate Mitigation
Forests are natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and storing it in trees, soil, and biomass. The IPCC estimates that natural climate solutions, including forestry, agriculture, and ecosystem restoration, could provide up to 30% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to meet global climate goals. Forests also enhance biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and improve air quality, making them a cornerstone of climate-resilient development.
In the U.S., family-owned forests—owned by individuals or families rather than corporations or governments—represent the largest portion of forestland. These 290 million acres are critical for climate mitigation, yet many owners face barriers to sustainable management, such as high costs and complex regulations. AFF’s Family Forest Carbon Program, launched in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), addresses these challenges by enabling landowners to participate in carbon markets, earning income for practices that enhance carbon sequestration.
Rita Hite underscores the urgency of activating these forests as climate solutions, stating, “Failure to activate all the best available solutions, including the power of family-owned forests, risks our progress in fighting climate change, which impacts vulnerable communities first and worst.” Her call reflects the IPCC’s emphasis on equity, noting that climate change disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized groups. By empowering family forest owners, AFF is not only advancing climate goals but also supporting rural economies and social justice.
The Family Forest Carbon Program: A Game-Changer
The Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) is a pioneering initiative that bridges the gap between small-scale landowners and the voluntary carbon market. Traditionally, carbon markets have been inaccessible to family forest owners due to high entry costs, complex verification processes, and scale requirements. The FFCP overcomes these barriers by offering a streamlined methodology, validated by Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), to measure and certify carbon sequestration from improved forest management practices.
The program incentivizes practices like extended harvest rotations, selective cutting, and habitat preservation, which increase carbon storage while maintaining forest health. Landowners receive payments for the carbon credits generated, providing a financial stream to offset management costs and conserve their land. This approach not only sequesters carbon but also enhances biodiversity, protects watersheds, and supports local communities. As Christine Cadigan, AFF’s Family Forest Carbon Program Director, notes, “Finding a solution to this is key to our program success.”
The FFCP’s impact is significant. Piloted in states like Pennsylvania, the program has expanded to the Northeast, Midwest, and Appalachia, engaging thousands of landowners. Its methodology ensures accuracy and transparency, earning praise from Verra’s CEO, David Antonioli, who calls it “a great initiative that can help small- and mid-size family-owned forests advance critically important climate action.” By scaling this model, AFF aims to unlock the climate potential of millions of acres, aligning with the IPCC’s call for immediate, scalable solutions.
AFF’s Broader Commitment to Climate Solutions
Under Rita Hite’s leadership, AFF has positioned itself as a leader in natural climate solutions. Beyond the FFCP, AFF advocates for policies that support forest conservation, collaborates with partners like TNC and BNP Paribas, and engages communities through initiatives like #Aces4Trees, which plants trees for social media engagement. These efforts reflect AFF’s holistic approach to climate action, combining science, policy, and community engagement.
Hite’s response to the IPCC report emphasizes the need for “forest-based solutions and leveraging carbon markets that invest in the health and productivity of America’s forests.” This aligns with the IPCC’s findings that natural climate solutions are cost-effective, with global implementation costing up to $400 billion annually by 2050—less than current subsidies for agriculture and forestry. By redirecting financial resources to programs like the FFCP, AFF is demonstrating how private-sector innovation can complement public policy to achieve climate goals.
The IPCC’s Broader Context: A Call for Transformation
The IPCC’s 2023 Synthesis Report is a clarion call for transformation across all sectors. It highlights that global greenhouse gas emissions rose to their highest levels between 2010 and 2019, driven primarily by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. To limit warming to 1.5°C, emissions must be halved by 2030, requiring a rapid transition to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon removal strategies like forest restoration. The report also stresses the importance of climate justice, noting that vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa and least-developed countries, face disproportionate impacts.
Natural climate solutions, like those championed by AFF, are among the most effective strategies identified by the IPCC. Forests, mangroves, and other ecosystems can absorb significant amounts of carbon while providing co-benefits like improved water quality and habitat preservation. However, these solutions receive less than 3% of global climate funding, underscoring the need for increased investment. The IPCC advocates for well-regulated carbon markets to incentivize actions like reforestation and sustainable land management, a model AFF has successfully implemented.
The report also emphasizes the need for inclusive, equitable action. As IPCC author Aditi Mukherji notes, “Climate justice is crucial because those who have contributed least to climate change are being disproportionately affected.” AFF’s work with family forest owners, many of whom are rural and economically disadvantaged, aligns with this principle, providing financial and environmental benefits to underserved communities.
Challenges and Opportunities
Implementing natural climate solutions at scale faces challenges, including funding gaps, policy barriers, and landowner skepticism. Many family forest owners are hesitant to participate in carbon markets due to perceived complexity or concerns about long-term commitments. AFF addresses these issues through education, streamlined processes, and financial incentives, but broader policy support is needed to scale these efforts.
The IPCC highlights that global consensus on climate action is difficult, as evidenced by delays in finalizing the 2023 report due to disagreements among governments. Political polarization, particularly in the U.S., and continued fossil fuel subsidies hinder progress. AFF’s CEO, Rita Hite, calls for governments and companies to overcome these barriers by investing in forest-based solutions, which offer immediate, measurable benefits.
Opportunities abound, however. The IPCC notes that renewable energy is now often cheaper than fossil fuels, and natural climate solutions are among the most cost-effective mitigation strategies. The growing momentum in voluntary carbon markets, with $755 billion invested in low-carbon technologies in 2021, signals a shift toward innovative financing. AFF’s $10 million green bond for the FFCP is a pioneering example, demonstrating how private capital can drive climate action.
The Role of Collaboration
The IPCC emphasizes that no single sector can address climate change alone. Governments, businesses, and civil society must collaborate to achieve the necessary scale and speed. AFF’s partnerships with organizations like TNC, Verra, and BNP Paribas exemplify this approach, combining scientific expertise, market mechanisms, and community engagement. The IPCC’s call for “inclusive, transparent, and participatory decision-making” is reflected in AFF’s landowner-centric model, which empowers individuals to contribute to global goals.
Rita Hite’s leadership underscores the power of collective action. By engaging landowners, policymakers, and corporations, AFF is building a coalition to activate forests as climate solutions. Events like AFF’s virtual panel discussion, “Investing in America’s Forests,” highlight the role of carbon markets in scaling these efforts, bringing together voices from the Environmental Protection Agency, Morgan Stanley, and the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.
Tips for Engaging in Climate Solutions
For individuals, landowners, and organizations inspired by AFF’s work and the IPCC report, here are actionable steps to contribute:
- Support Forest Conservation: If you own forestland, explore programs like the FFCP to earn income while sequestering carbon. Contact AFF for guidance.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Urge policymakers to prioritize natural climate solutions and redirect fossil fuel subsidies to sustainable practices.
- Engage in Carbon Markets: Businesses can invest in verified carbon credits, like those offered by AFF, to offset emissions and support forest health.
- Reduce Personal Emissions: Adopt energy-efficient practices, support renewable energy, and reduce consumption to align with IPCC goals.
- Spread Awareness: Share resources like AFF’s initiatives and the IPCC report to educate others about climate solutions. Use hashtags like #ClimateAction and #NatureNow to join the conversation.
The Path Forward
The IPCC’s 2023 Synthesis Report is a stark reminder that the window to limit warming to 1.5°C is closing rapidly. AFF’s CEO, Rita Hite, captures the urgency, stating, “Governments, companies, and organizations must include forest-based solutions and leverage carbon markets.” Her leadership, through initiatives like the Family Forest Carbon Program, demonstrates that natural climate solutions are not only viable but essential. By activating family-owned forests, AFF is turning the IPCC’s recommendations into action, proving that collaboration, innovation, and equity can pave the way to a sustainable future.
