The long-term viability of REDD+ depends on altering business-as-usual activity in sectors currently driving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forests. This synthesis report investigates drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. It explores the relevance of drivers in REDD+ policy development and implementation, key interventions to address driver activity, the role of drivers for national forest monitoring and for developing REDD+ forest reference (emission) levels. The report concludes with recommendations intended to support the international climate negotiations, as well as country-level plans and interventions.