improving access of smallholder farmers to risk management tools such as indexbased insurance is another means of protecting their livelihoods from climate and weatherrelated shocks it is estimated that global forests sequestered an average of about billion tons of carbon per year during the period which amounts to per cent of fossil emissions during this period pan et al in addition to their crucial role in regulating the earth s climate forests also provide essential ecosystem services including water regulation and retention soil stabilization and habitat for biodiversity