It's official! The latest Special Report on Climate Change and Land, released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), confirms that tropical forests play an important role in tackling climate change.

As well as storing carbon, the trees in these forests help regulate the local climate shading the ground and transpiring water. They are also home to thousands of wildlife species, and support local communities by providing food and sustainably sourced income or fuel.

A Rocha's African Forests Programme protects 50,000 ha of biodiversity-rich tropical forests across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana:

Dakatcha Woodland - in the face of threats of illegal logging, charcoal burning and clear-felling for pineapple plantations, A Rocha Kenya is working with local people and buying land to secure a better future for Dakatcha, its people and its wildlife.

Atewa Range Forest Reserve - A Rocha Ghana is at the heart of an international campaign to save Atewa, a forest critical for threatened wildlife and the five million Ghanaians for whom it provides clean drinking water.

West Bugwe Forest - A Rocha Uganda is initiating work to protect and restore the West Bugwe Forest, teaching children the value of their environment while having healthy fun outside and supporting families to reduce their use of firewood and charcoal.

Tosso Forest - Eden Creation Care Initiative is carrying out research to understand better the state of nature in Nigeria's remote Tosso Forest and developing community-based conservation approaches to protect it.

Around the world, governments and scientists have declared that we are in a state of climate emergency. There will be no quick fix. But A Rocha's forest conservation projects are investing in communities and landscapes where we can make a difference.

Will you join us? This Lent, please help us raise £10,000 to support the protection of these crucial tropical forests a source of hope in a climate-anxious world.

(Photo: Daniel Tay)