In the framework of the COP26 ongoing discussions, “The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use” was signed. This document has been described as “an unprecedented package of economic and political commitments to end deforestation worldwide” that spans the vast pine forests of Canada and Russia to the rainforests of Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With this commitment, signatories “recognise that to meet our land use, climate, biodiversity and sustainable development goals, both globally and nationally, will require transformative further action in the  interconnected areas of sustainable production and consumption; infrastructure development; trade; finance and investment; and support for smallholders, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, who depend on forests for their livelihoods and have a key role in their stewardship.”

The declaration has been signed by over 100 leaders, accounting for more than 86% of the world’s forests.

Copy of the Declaration can be downloaded HERE.

The declaration was accompanied by $12bn in finance from 12 donor countries as part of a new Global Forest Finance Pledge. The money will be used to restore degraded land, advance the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and tackle wildfires, the pledge states. On behalf of the EU, von der Leyen promised €1bn would go to the initiative, with a quarter going to the Congo Basin, the world’s second largest tropical rainforest.

“Europe is delighted to be part of this ambitious movement to protect our climate, to protect our heritage and to protect forests,” she said.  Copy of the speech by President von der Leyen at Leaders' Event on “Action on Forests and Land Use” in Glasgow can be downloaded HERE.

Finally, 28 governments signed up to a new ‘Forests, Agriculture and Commodity Trade Statement’, committing to common actions to reduce pressure on forests from the likes of palm oil, cocoa and soya. For further information, please see HERE.