Forests and Climate: Urgent Action Needed at COP29
The Role of Forests in Climate Mitigation
Forests are indispensable allies in the fight against climate change. As the “lungs” of our planet, they absorb approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by human activities each year, making them a critical resource in our quest to limit global temperature rise. Tropical forests, such as the mighty Amazon and the Congo Basin, hold an unparalleled capacity to store carbon, while boreal forests in regions like Canada and Scandinavia also play a vital role in regulating the global climate.
Deforestation and Emissions
However, the threats to our forests have never been more severe. Deforestation, primarily driven by agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and illegal logging, continues at an alarming rate, with the equivalent of 27 football pitches being lost every minute. The Amazon rainforest alone has lost more than 17% of its forest cover in the past 5 decades, and an additional 17% has degraded. Scientists now warn that the Amazon is nearing a tipping point, beyond which it may transition from a rainforest to a savanna, severely compromising its carbon storage capacity.
Carbon Sequestration
Forests’ capacity to sequester carbon is indispensable for keeping the global temperature rise below the crucial 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing carbon-rich ecosystems like forests and peatlands can mitigate 8–14 gigatons of CO2-equivalent annually through 2050 at relatively low costs. Halting the conversion of these precious ecosystems plays an outsized role, as deforestation alone accounts for 45% of emissions from the land-use sector.
International Climate Policies
The Paris Agreement
At the 2021 COP26 climate summit, world leaders signed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, committing to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. This was a historic step, but the real challenge lies in translating these commitments into action.
REDD+ Initiatives
The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) framework has been a promising approach, incentivizing developing countries to protect forests in exchange for financial compensation. However, REDD+ requires more robust funding, improved transparency, and stronger accountability mechanisms to reach its full potential. Scaling up this initiative is crucial if we are to make meaningful progress in preserving the world’s forests.
Impacts on Biodiversity
Forests are not just critical for climate mitigation; they are also home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity. The loss of these precious ecosystems poses a grave threat to countless species, many of which are already endangered or facing extinction.
Threatened Species
From the iconic jaguar of the Amazon to the majestic gorillas of the Congo Basin, the world’s forests harbor a dazzling array of fauna, each playing a vital role in the delicate balance of their respective ecosystems. As deforestation and degradation continue unabated, these species are being pushed to the brink, with their habitats shrinking and their populations dwindling.
Endangered Flora
The impact on forest-dwelling flora is equally alarming. Rare and endemic plant species, many with undiscovered medicinal and ecological properties, are being lost at an unprecedented rate. The destruction of these unique botanical treasures not only diminishes the richness of our natural world but also deprives us of potential solutions to pressing challenges, from combating disease to enhancing food security.
Challenges for Brazil
As the custodian of the world’s largest tropical forest, Brazil faces immense responsibility and formidable challenges in the fight to preserve its forests. The Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, both of which have experienced alarming levels of deforestation, are at the heart of this struggle.
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the planet,” is a global treasure that has been under relentless assault. Illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development have all taken a heavy toll, with the region losing more than 17% of its forest cover in the past five decades. The consequences of this devastation are far-reaching, not just for Brazil but for the entire world, as the Amazon’s ability to absorb and store carbon is critically compromised.
Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot that once covered much of Brazil’s coastline, has also suffered greatly from deforestation. Once a lush, verdant expanse, the Atlantic Forest has been reduced to just 12% of its original size, with the remaining fragments under constant threat from human encroachment. The loss of this unique ecosystem has had a devastating impact on the region’s flora and fauna, with many species teetering on the edge of extinction.
Sustainability Initiatives
Brazil’s NDCs
In its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, Brazil has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. A significant portion of these reductions is expected to come from efforts to curb deforestation and promote sustainable land-use practices.
Community-based Conservation
Recognizing the vital role that local communities play in forest conservation, Brazil has also taken steps to empower and support indigenous groups and traditional land stewards. By recognizing their land rights and supporting their sustainable management strategies, Brazil has begun to unlock the immense potential of community-based conservation efforts.
COP29 and the Path Forward
As the world prepares for the critical COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus on forests must intensify. The decisions made at this conference will shape the future of our planet’s forests and, by extension, the future of our climate.
Emission Reduction Targets
At COP29, countries must not only recommit to halting deforestation but also address the root causes of forest loss. Strengthened financial mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, will be essential in providing developing countries with the resources needed to protect their forests.
Financing for Forest Conservation
Developed nations must fulfill their promises of climate finance, including the commitment made at COP26 to double adaptation finance by 2025. This funding is crucial, particularly for countries already grappling with the effects of climate change, as they work to build resilience and protect their precious forest ecosystems.
Stakeholder Engagement
Indigenous Rights
The role of indigenous communities in forest conservation cannot be overstated. These stewards of the land have a long history of practicing sustainable land management, and their lands contain nearly a quarter of the carbon stored in the world’s tropical forests. Empowering indigenous peoples by recognizing their land rights and supporting their forest management strategies is not only an ethical responsibility but also a key strategy for enhancing global conservation efforts.
Private Sector Involvement
The private sector must also play a more significant role in the fight to protect our forests. By eliminating deforestation from global supply chains and increasing investments in nature-based solutions, companies can leverage their resources and influence to drive meaningful change.
As the world looks to COP29 and beyond, the focus on forests must remain a top priority. With Brazil hosting the G20 in 2024 and COP30 in 2025, the country has a unique opportunity to place the Amazon and all tropical forests at the center of global climate and nature discussions. The time for action is now, and the decisions made in the years to come will determine the trajectory of our climate response. Our forests, and the future of our planet, depend on it.
