05 June 2026, Kenya: Two of the world’s most influential research institutions focused on forests, trees, and agroforestry have unveiled a new global identity as Landscape Alliance, marking a strategic shift toward scaling nature-based solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and rural livelihoods.
The transformation brings together the long-standing expertise of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) under a single alliance dedicated to advancing resilient landscapes and sustainable development worldwide. The announcement was made on World Environment Day.
Operating across more than 90 countries, the alliance combines decades of scientific research and innovation in forestry, agroforestry, and sustainable land management. It also manages one of the world’s largest agroforestry tree germplasm collections, supporting research on how trees and forests can contribute to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, food security, and economic development.
According to the organization’s newly launched 2025–2035 strategy, Landscape Alliance aims to help avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, restore 15 million hectares of degraded land, and improve the resilience and livelihoods of 20 million people by 2035.
Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of Landscape Alliance, said the new identity reflects the growing need for integrated approaches to environmental and development challenges.
“Forests, farms, water systems, and communities are deeply interconnected. A landscape approach allows us to address these linkages and ensure that solutions in one area contribute positively to the resilience of the entire system,” she said.
The alliance’s research agenda over the next decade will focus on four priority areas: climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, food and nutrition security, and secure livelihoods and well-being.
The rebranding builds on the achievements of the former CIFOR-ICRAF partnership, which has supported drought resilience initiatives in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel through agroforestry and climate-smart land management. The organization has also contributed to sustainable cocoa production in Ghana, where more than 114,000 hectares of cocoa farmland have been brought under improved management practices, including shaded cocoa systems.
The launch comes at a time when governments and international institutions are intensifying efforts to tackle interconnected climate and biodiversity crises. Recent scientific assessments indicate that forests continue to play a critical role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while agroforestry systems are increasingly recognized for their ability to combine food production with carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Landscape Alliance noted that nature-based solutions and sustainable landscape management are expected to feature prominently in upcoming global discussions on climate, biodiversity, and land restoration. Tropical forests remain home to more than half of the world’s terrestrial species, while agroforestry systems can support significantly higher biodiversity compared with conventional monoculture farming systems.
“The world has changed and our response must evolve accordingly,” Dr. Ubalijoro said. “By working as an alliance, we can accelerate the adoption of science-based solutions that strengthen both planetary health and human well-being. The next decade will be critical in determining the future of our landscapes, ecosystems, and communities.”
With growing global attention on climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture, Landscape Alliance aims to position itself as a leading scientific and implementation partner helping countries translate environmental commitments into measurable action on the ground.
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