Leveraging agricultural value chains to enhance tropical tree cover and slow deforestation (leaves): Synthesis report

Slowing the degradation and clearing of tropical forests andincreasing tree cover in agricultural and livestock grazingsystems could become a critical part of the global solutionto climate change. To realize this potential, improvements incrop and livestock yields must be achieved to reconcile theexpansion of forest and tree cover with the growing globaldemand for food, feed, and fiber from the tropics.The Leveraging Agricultural Value Chains to EnhanceTropical Tree Cover and Slow Deforestation (LEAVES)program, led by the World Bank Group and financedby the Program on Forests (PROFOR) has conductedagricultural commodity case studies involving beef, cocoa,coffee, oil palm, shea butter and soybean to identify keyrecommendations and lessons that can help the WorldBank Group and others realize the potential of reducingdeforestation and enhancing tree cover in agriculturallandscapes. This Synthesis summarizes the key findings ofthese case studies.The case studies point to both the positive impactsand the limitations of prevailing international strategiessuch as REDD+, voluntary certification of sustainablyproducedagricultural and forestry commodities, corporatedeforestation pledges, and payment for ecosystems /environmental1 services. Not one of these mechanismsby itself can drive the forest-friendly and tree coverenhancement transformation in tropical production systemsthat is needed.A new LEAVES paradigm focuses on tropical forest regionsand the innovators among governments, farmers, villagers,researchers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), andagribusiness companies that are finding local solutions andopportunistically harnessing relevant international strategiesand programs. This new paradigm is informed by thefollowing six case studies.