COMIFAC commits to stop deforestation by 2030

Member countries of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) signed the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use. The signatories of this declaration commit themselves to fight against climate change, to stop the destruction of biodiversity and hunger, and to protect the rights of indigenous populations.

The declaration, signed by 90 other countries around the world, is accompanied by a long list of commitments from public and private sector actors to combat climate change, curb biodiversity destruction and hunger, and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Sustainable production

The text also notes the empowerment of local communities, including indigenous peoples, negatively affected by logging and forest degradation. The declaration also aims to implement and redesign agricultural policies and programs to reduce hunger and protect the environment.

According to the United Nations, the last decade has seen about 40 times more funds flowing to destructive land use practices than to forest protection, conservation and sustainable agriculture. That’s why the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use has also been signed by more than 30 financial institutions covering more than $8.7 trillion in global assets under management.

The goal is to reverse this situation, moving away from portfolios that invest in agricultural commodity supply chains at high risk of deforestation and towards sustainable production. For the British Prime Minister, this initiative also fits in with the new global forest finance pledge of more than $12 billion.

“The largest collective commitments of public funds for climate action in history. Let’s stop this great global chainsaw massacre,” said Boris Johnson.