U.N. investigates forestry management

ROME, May 24 (UPI) -- Forest managers need to demonstrate better governance to address emerging challenges of climate change, a forestry official said from Rome.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Bank unveiled a framework they said could help countries better manage forests.

The FAO said in a statement that the ability to demonstrate good governance is becoming more important as climate change mitigation gains importance.

The framework for monitoring best governance covers policy and regulatory frameworks. It also establishes check of efficiency and transparency, the FAO said.

Developing countries under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change could get access to incentives to help cut emissions tied to deforestation and for offsetting reductions by plants new forests or sustainably management current systems.

"Good governance in forestry determines whether forest resources are used efficiently, sustainably, and equitably," said Eva Muller, a forestry official in the FAO, in a statement. "This framework outlines a systematic approach that countries and forest managers can use to identify areas of weakness, devise and implement suitable responses, and monitor results."