Transformational change to reduce deforestation and climate change impacts A review of definitions, concepts and drivers in scientific and grey literature

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 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?