Transformational Change to Reduce Deforestation and Climate Change Impacts: A Review of Definitions, Concepts and Drivers in Scientific and Grey Literature

By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

In this study, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) teamed up to investigate how transformational change (transformational change) is understood in the scientific literature. The study, the first of its kind to review academic studies on transformational change, focuses on two main questions: (i) What does ‘transformational change’ mean? and (ii) What drives it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9789251353684

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Atmadja, S., Martius, C., Leonard, S. and Sanz Sanchez, M.J. 2021. Transformational change to reduce deforestation and climate change impacts – A review of definitions, concepts and drivers in scientific and grey literature. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7314en

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Cover photograph: ©CIFOR

Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive summary

Summary points

1Introduction

1.1 Scope of the paper

1.2 The need for transformational change in land use and climate change

1.3 Global discourses and efforts on transformational change in the context of climate change, forestry and agriculture

1.4 Land use, climate change and the need for transformation

2The scientific literature on transformational change

2.1 Publication trends and authorship of scientific articles on transformational change

2.2 Definition of transformational change and related concepts

2.3 Influential theoretical and empirical frameworks for transformational change

2.4 Similarities, differences and lessons across multiple sectors

2.5 Drivers of transformational change

2.6 Indicators of transformational change identified in the literature review

3Conclusions

3.1 Highlights and reflections from reviewing the literature

3.2 Issues for further exploration

References

Glossary

Annexes

1Method used to select academic literature for review

2List of articles selected for review

3Learning from the land-use sector (agriculture, forestry and other land uses): Transformational change definitions and concepts that relate to climate change and other disciplines

4Summary of the drivers of transformational change found in academic literature

5Indicators of transformational change by context and scale of action

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the financial support, intellectual contribution and time that the FAO has invested in this report. We especially thank Malgorzata Buszko Briggs, Katherine Clyne, Kristin DeValue, Serena Fortuna, Loreto Sanz Herrera and Thomas Woolnough for their contributions. We also would like to acknowledge additional financial assistance of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP-FTA), with financial support from the donors contributing to the CGIAR Fund. We are grateful to Anne Larson and Maria Brockhaus for reviewing an early version of this report, and to Sarah Oakes for language editing.

Executive summary

Humanity is facing a series of critical challenges related to global environmental and climate change. Global development and climate objectives, as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and other international efforts, require swift, deep and encompassing action. Climate change must be kept far below the current global average warming trajectory of 3.5 degrees. Evidence is rapidly mounting that, while this may be a herculean task, it is one essential for humanity’s survival. There is additional moral and ethical pressure to address large and widening inequalities in income, livelihoods, human health and access to food. Truly ‘transformational’ change is required that leads to ‘paradigm shifts’ underpinning the sweeping changes that are needed before 2030, just a few years from now.

In this study, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Center for International Forestry