SDG 14: Life below water

Sustainable Development Goal

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents, and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. 

Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation.

Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution and ocean acidification is having an adverse effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Forests and SDG 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources

Many people would be surprised by forests’ contributions to “Life below water”, but forests play role that should not be underestimated.

Forests help control the water cycle by regulating precipitation, evaporation, and flows. Layers of forest canopy, branches, and roots can store and release water vapour, which controls rainfall. Forests can also help reduce the impacts of flood from storms by blocking and slowing down the flow of runoff.

When forest cover is disturbed or removed entirely, sedimentation will increase, and water regulation functions will be disturbed. Reducing deforestation will help to reduce sedimentation, improving the condition of coastal waters, thereby benefiting aquatic ecosystems.

Mangrove forests, which occur on tropical and subtropical shorelines, are among the most productive ecosystems on earth and serve many important functions, including prevention of coastal erosion, coastal protection from storms, water filtration, carbon storage, food, timber, and livelihood provision, and biodiversity protection, among others.

It is estimated that about 80% of the world's global fish catches depend on Mangroves directly or indirectly and, for example, forest loss in the Mekong River Delta has been paralleled by losses in fishery production.

How PEFC contributes to SDG 14

PEFC forest certification is all about sound, responsible management of forests, which is key to avoiding deforestation. Maintaining or increasing forests and their ecosystem services as well as their health and vitality is therefore an important requirement in PEFC certification. Certification also entails that the quantity and quality of the forest resources and the capacity of the forest to store and sequester carbon is safeguarded.

PEFC prohibits conversions and requires that the protective functions of forests, such as their potential role in erosion control, flood prevention, and water purification needs to be maintained or enhanced. Moreover, ecologically important forest areas must be identified, protected, conserved, or set aside and climate positive practices in management operations are encouraged.

Selected PEFC criteria (abbreviated) and standards

Sustainable Forest Management, PEFC ST 1003

8.1.1 The standard requires that management shall aim to maintain or increase forests and their ecosystem services and maintain or enhance the economic, ecological, cultural and social values of forest resources. 

8.5.1 The standard requires that protective functions of forests for society, such as their potential role in erosion control, flood prevention, water purification, climate regulation, carbon sequestration and other regulating or supporting ecosystem services shall be maintained or enhanced. 

8.5.2 The standard requires that areas that fulfil specific and recognised protective functions for society shall be mapped, and forest management plans and operations shall ensure the maintenance or enhancement of these functions. 

8.5.4 The standard requires that special care shall be given to forestry operations in forest areas with water protection functions to avoid adverse effects on the quality and quantity of water resources.

Chain of Custody, PEFC ST 2002:2020

PEFC Trademarks Rules, PEFC ST 2001:2020