COP26 will announce the agreement to fight deforestation tomorrow – 11/01/2021

26th UN Conference on Climate Change The conference (COP26) will announce the pledge signed by more than 100 leaders tomorrow (2). It promises to stop deforestation and landslides by 2030. The countries involved own more than 85% of their forests. World and includes Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Colombia and Indonesia.

To support compliance with the agreement, approximately US $ 12 billion (R $ 68 billion) will be spent in 12 countries (United Kingdom, Norway, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, France, USA, Canada, EU and Germany) from 2021 to 2025. The idea is to support developing countries in activities such as reclaiming degraded lands, fighting wildfires and supporting the rights of tribal communities.

In addition, the private sector has pledged more than US $ 7 billion (approximately R $ 40 billion). CEOs of more than 30 financial institutions have also pledged to eliminate investment in deforestation-related activities. Of that total, $ 3 billion (BRL 17 billion) is expected to go to innovative funds for Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC) initiatives aimed at promoting deforestation soybean and livestock production in Latin America.

The Glasgow leaders’ declaration on forests and land use will be announced this morning at an event with world leaders, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the US president. Joe Biden, And President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

In addition to this document, governments must sign a new declaration on the forest, agriculture and commodities trade, which represents 75% of the global trade in essential commodities that threaten forests (such as palm oil, cocoa and soy). A set of measures to provide sustainable trade and reduce stress on forests. This includes supporting small farmers and improving the transparency of supply chains.

For Colombian President Evan Duke, this is a historic commitment. “Many leaders from all walks of life representing all types of forests have not come together in this way. Colombia is committed to doing its part. Latin America’s ambitious goals – and 30% of our land and marine resources must be protected by 2030.” And should include engaging with local communities, he said.

Hope and fear

Ana Yang, Managing Director, Chatham House Sustainability Accelerator, celebrated the agreement: “The Forest Agreement is a major global effort to control deforestation. However, for a long-term solution, he points out, “the international community must also help ensure that the socio-economic needs and aspirations of the people in and around the forest are met.”

Joseph Idongwa Mukumo, of the Valikale tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples and Local Community Network for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems, commented: “We are delighted to see the indigenous peoples mentioned in the Forest Agreement. The political and economic spheres insist on a safe tenure for communities, not only because it is appropriate, but also because it is appropriate – and really urgent – to stand on our own in light of the evidence that we represent an effective and unexplored solution to deforestation that they have not managed. ” Threatened by mining and agriculture.

For Simon Lewis, a professor of global change science at University College London, signing a contract is a big challenge. “Finally, the recognition of the Indigenous peoples as the primary protectors of the forests is welcome, as are the additional funding for the rainforest countries and the obligations to clean up the supply chains of consumer countries and organizations. Success is essential. “

According to Mario Mandovani of SOS Mother Atlantica, the environmental agenda is very mobilizing. “Today it is very clear that sustainability and climate issues are not the talk of the environmentalists. Echoes.

In Initial text in COP 26, This second (1st), tribal activist Txai Suruí already supported the urgency of guaranteeing a future with less deforestation. “It’s not 2030 or 2050, it’s now! Indigenous people are at the forefront of climate emergency, and we need to be at the center of the decisions that are taking place here. We have ideas to delay the end of the world,” he said.

A Echoes, Txai also stressed the importance of protecting the tribal people: “I have come here to bring the message that there is no climate justice without social justice for the tribal people. And we will continue to oppose whatever results come from here.”

(Working with Flora Pithancourt and Camila Camilo from Glasgow, Scotland)