More than 100 countries pledge to end deforestation by 2030

More than 100 countries have promised to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by the end of 2030, underpinned by $19bn in public and private funds to invest in protecting and restoring forests.

 

The joint statement issued at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow late on Monday was backed by the leaders of countries including Brazil, Russia, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which collectively account for 85 percent of the world’s forests.

 

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use will cover forests totalling more than 33 million square kilometres (13 million square miles), according to a statement from the British prime minister’s office on behalf of the leaders.

 

“We will have a chance to end humanity’s long history as nature’s conqueror, and instead become its custodian,” said Boris Johnson, calling it an unprecedented agreement.

 

A slew of additional government and private initiatives were launched on Tuesday to help reach that goal, including billions in pledges for Indigenous guardians of the forest and sustainable agriculture. (Foreign Agencies)