The COP26 climate conference is in full swing and is celebrating its first big achievement: A pledge from more than 100 countries to end deforestation.
The participating countries, which represent more than 85 percent of the world’s forests, have committed to ending and reversing deforestation by 2030. Many of the countries include those with large forests such as Brazil, China, Colombia, Congo, Indonesia, Russia, and the US, but conservationists still have reservations about the commitment as it is a promise that has been broken before. Many world leaders committed to ending deforestation by 2030 in 2014, yet deforestation has accelerated in most of them.
Hopefully, the more than $19 billion in public and private funds pledged toward the plan will support its implementation.
Joseph Itongwa Mukumo, an Indigenous Walikale and activist from Congo remained optimistic about the agreement saying, “We are delighted to see Indigenous Peoples mentioned in the forest deal announced today.”
