Rethinking zero deforestation beyond 2020 to more equitably and effectively conserve tropical forests

Collective targets set by private, government, and non-government organizations to achieve global “zero net deforestation” by 2020 have been missed. Here, we explore the limitations of zero deforestation (ZD) targets and commitments. We review the origins of the ZD concept and explore conceptual and practical challenges with attaining ZD. Conceptual challenges include problems with defining “forest,” social equity, and agricultural expansion leaking to non-forest ecosystems. Practical challenges include implementing ZD in highly complex supply chains. We reflect on the framing of ZD and discuss principles to support post-2020 conservation targets and commitments. We emphasize the importance of defining relationships between global goals and targets, national targets, and commitments. We call for research to understand the impacts of ZD commitments on local stakeholders in diverse contexts, including highly forested landscapes. Reframing ZD will not solve deforestation, but reflecting on its limitations could support more effective and equitable tropical forest conservation beyond 2020.