Home to 8 out of 10 of the world’s land species and to 300 million people across the globe - forests are the engine and lungs of planet earth. They regulate global warming, protect us from the effects of climate change, create rainfall, filter freshwater and provide us with food and sustenance. But our forests’ trees and the land on which they grow are in high demand.

Since 1973 around a quarter of Myanmar’s forests have been decimated. This is even more concerning given that Myanmar is one our planet’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Myanmar’s entire population depends on the protection afforded by forests, including mangroves, to survive.

We are working to protect this invaluable ecosystem by reducing deforestation rates in the critical Dawna Tenasserim Landscape through partnerships with local government, private sector, communities and civil society organisations. To date, 7,000 ha of community forest has been established and a sustainable rubber supply chain project has been launched to separate rubber production from deforestation.

Unless we urgently forge a more sustainable path, one third of Myanmar’s remaining forest will disappear within the next 30 years. If we do act now Myanmar could become one of the precious few countries left on earth boasting pristine forest home to endangered species and play a major role in the global fight against climate change.