Over 100 world leaders historically pledge to end deforestation by 2030

The first big business of COP26 It will be signed later today (Nov 2) as more than 100 world leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030.

In an unprecedented move, leaders representing more than 85 percent of the planet’s forests will vow to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation.

Most of the countries that are home to the Amazon rainforest, the largest forest in the world, have signed the agreement. Only Bolivia and Venezuela have not joined the commitment, but Brazil (where most of the Amazon is located) has joined the commitment.

This will be the most important measure ever taken to preserve the world’s forests. Countries that have committed to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use represent more than 33.7 million square kilometers of forest.

The promise is backed by almost 16,500 million euros of public money (10,300 million euros) and private (6,240 million euros). Public finance comes from 12 countries, including the UK, to be provided between 2021 and 2025.

Private sector financing comes from more than 30 financial institutions, such as Aviva, Schroders and Axa. These companies will also commit to eliminate activities linked to deforestation.

The money will be used to support activities in developing countries, particularly to help restore degraded lands, fight forest fires and support indigenous communities.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will refer to the compromise as “a landmark agreement to protect and restore the earth’s forests.

“These great abundant ecosystems, these cathedrals of nature, are the lungs of our planet,” he is expected to say at the event tomorrow. “Forests support communities, livelihoods and food supplies, and absorb the carbon we pump into the atmosphere. They are essential to our own survival.

“With today’s unprecedented promises, we will have the opportunity to end humanity’s long history as the conqueror of nature and instead become its custodian.”

However, critics have highlighted the lack of responsibility with this new measure.

“While the Glasgow Declaration has an impressive array of signatories from forest-rich countries, large consumer markets and financial centers, it risks being a repeat of previous failed commitments if it lacks force,” says Jo Blackman, Head of Forest Policy and Defense in Global witness.

“If world leaders are serious about stopping forest destruction, they must back today’s announcements with a commitment to introduce strong and binding national legislation that makes it illegal for businesses and financial institutions to fuel deforestation.” keep going.

The 2014 New York Declaration on Forests stands out, in which governments pledged to reduce deforestation by 50% by 2020 and stop it by 2030. The 2020 target was not met and we are also off target. 2030.

Why is it important to protect forests?

Woods absorb about a third of global CO2 emissions, but we lose an area the size of 27 football fields per minute.

Almost a quarter of global emissions (23 percent) come from land-use activities such as logging, deforestation, and agriculture. That is why it is more important to preserve existing forests than plant new.

Mitigating forest loss and preventing land degradation is vital to limiting catastrophic levels of global warming while safeguarding the future of 1.6 billion people (nearly a quarter of the world) whose livelihoods depend on it. the forests.

“We must work for an improved global framework for climate investments,” says Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. “To ‘keep 1.5 degrees alive’ we have to stop the loss of forests in this decade. Countries with tropical forests need more international support and incentives to transform their land use policies.

“Norway will continue and develop its International Climate and Forest Initiative at high levels until 2030, and we are excited to be part of a growing coalition of donors and companies mobilizing to reduce deforestation and enable a just rural transition.

“I am particularly pleased that we are joining forces to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples and increase recognition of their role as guardians of the forests.”

The agreement will bring together countries from around the world, from all populated continents, and each will commit to tackling forest loss seriously.

“Indonesia is blessed as the most carbon-rich country in the world in vast rainforests, mangroves, oceans and peatlands, ”says Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia.

“We are committed to protecting these critical carbon sinks and our natural capital for future generations.

“We call on all countries to support sustainable development pathways that strengthen the livelihoods of communities, especially indigenous ones, women and small farmers.”

Which countries have joined the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on the use of forests and land?

These are the 101 countries and parties that have signed the declaration, as of November 2.

• Albania
• Andorra
• Angola
• Armenia
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bhutan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Cameroon
• Canada
• chili
• porcelain
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Ivory Coast
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• European Union
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• Gabon
• Germany
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guiana
• Honduras
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Liberia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mali
• malt
• Mauricio
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North macedonia
• Norway
• Pakistan
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of Congo
• Romania
• Russia
• St. Lucia
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Surinam
• Sweden
• Tanzania
• To go
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Ukraine
• Uruguay
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

“We welcome the announcement at COP26 of the Joint Declaration on Advancing Support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities which has raised its visibility as a climate solution to an unprecedented level,” says Tuntiak Katan, Coordinator of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, representing the communities. from the rainforests of Africa, Latin America and Indonesia.

“At the same time, we will look for concrete evidence of a transformation in the way funds are invested.

“If 80 percent of what is being proposed is directed to supporting land rights and the proposals of indigenous and local communities, we will see a dramatic change in the current trend that is destroying our natural resources.”