Forests, covering nearly one-third of the Earth’s landmass, remain humanity’s most reliable shield against climate change and biodiversity loss.
They serve as habitats for 80% of terrestrial species and sustain over 1.6 billion people worldwide with food, water, medicine, and livelihoods, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Beyond their ecological role, forests hold an estimated economic value of US$150 trillion, with about 90% of people living in extreme poverty directly dependent on them.
Yet, despite their immense value, forests are under severe threat from deforestation and land degradation.
UNEP estimates that deforestation accounts for nearly 15% of global carbon emissions, undermining international targets such as the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit.
Forests absorb nearly one-fifth of all human-caused emissions annually and store 662 gigatonnes of carbon in their living biomass, but once destroyed, they release this carbon back into the atmosphere.
Amid this crisis, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) have emerged as the most effective stewards of forests.
A landmark study in the Amazon showed that between 2000 and 2012, annual deforestation rates on Indigenous lands were two to three times lower than in surrounding areas.
Globally, the World Bank estimates that 36% of intact forests lie within Indigenous territories.
In Kenya, Indigenous groups such as the Ogiek in the Mau Forest and the Sengwer in the Embobut Forest have long championed forest protection despite facing displacement and marginalization.
Their customary governance systems, spiritual attachment to land, and traditional conservation knowledge have safeguarded ecosystems more effectively than many government-led conservation schemes.
“Indigenous communities understand that forests are not just resources to be exploited, they are homes, pharmacies, supermarkets, and sacred spaces,” said a conservation expert at the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, where Article 8(J) was adopted to strengthen recognition of Indigenous stewardship.
Across Africa, Indigenous and community-led initiatives are reshaping the conservation narrative.
The Great Green Wall project, stretching across 20 countries from Senegal to Djibouti, aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land.
Already, about 30 million hectares have been restored, with local communities leading the charge.
In Tanzania, community-based forest management has enabled villages to both conserve woodlands and earn carbon credits, boosting rural livelihoods.
Kenya is also home to shining examples. The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest on the coast thrives under the co-management of communities and government, while the Kaya Forests of the Mijikenda people, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, demonstrate the strength of cultural traditions in sustaining biodiversity.
In northern Kenya, pastoralist communities are increasingly integrating rangeland restoration with forest regeneration, recognizing that their livelihoods depend on healthy ecosystems.
Unlike costly carbon capture technologies, forests are a proven, low-cost system of climate regulation.
Restored forests not only sequester carbon but also replenish soils, regulate water cycles, and prevent disasters such as floods and landslides.
In Kenya, where climate-induced droughts and floods are increasingly common, empowering Indigenous and local communities to lead forest restoration could also enhance resilience for millions.
The economic argument is equally strong. Industries such as timber, paper, and pharmaceuticals rely heavily on forest resources.
According to UNEP’s Finance Initiative, financial institutions face risks when forest-dependent companies collapse due to degradation.
For poor households, especially in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), forests provide critical safety nets during crises.
From the Amazon to the Mau, and from the Great Green Wall to the Ganges basin, the evidence is clear: forests thrive when Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are entrusted with their care.
Their stewardship outpaces many government-led conservation programs, providing a blueprint for sustainable development.
Kenya’s future forest policies, experts say, must go beyond top-down enforcement to embrace co-management with Indigenous groups.
Supporting community forestry associations, recognizing land rights, and channeling climate finance directly to local actors are vital steps.
Ultimately, empowering Indigenous communities is not just about conservation, it is about climate justice, cultural survival, and economic resilience.
As global restoration projects gain momentum, Africa and Kenya stand at a crossroads: to either continue with exclusionary models that fail forests, or to place communities at the heart of solutions.
The evidence suggests the latter path holds the greatest promise for both people and planet.