Bonn, Germany. 20th May 2008 - New proposals to completely halt
the destruction of the world's rainforests by 2015 were unveiled
today by Greenpeace at the UN conference on biodiversity in
Bonn.
Under the Forests for Climate plan, the rich countries, who have
historically been the biggest polluters, would be required to pay
into a new global fund as part of their obligation to combat
climate change. This money could then be used to reward those
countries that stop destroying their rainforests. Greenpeace wants
the proposal to form part of the next global climate deal, which
will come into full force after 2012.
Greenpeace estimates that between 20-27 billion Euros each year
is needed to stop the destruction of the rainforests, save its
animals and plants and to guarantee the rights of people living in
the forests. The Forests for Climate plan would be able to raise
funding of this magnitude.
So urgent is the need to stop deforestation and tackle climate
change, Greenpeace is also demanding that the German government,
hosts of the UN conference, pledge two billion Euros this year and
for the next five years. This would kick start an emergency fund so
that financial incentives for developing countries are available
right away. Greenpeace wants other G8 members to follow suit.
Roman Czebiniak, Greenpeace political advisor for forests and
climate said:
"The destruction of the world's rainforests is not only pushing
many species to the brink of extinction but is also driving climate
change. That's why we need Forests for Climate to be part of any
future global climate deal.
Christoph Thies, Greenpeace forests campaigner added:
"We can't afford to wait until 2012 to put this plan into
action. That's why we calling on richer countries to finance an
emergency global fund right now.
"The German government has cast itself as a world leader on
environmental issues, now they have the perfect platform to prove
their true environmental credentials and kick start this fund to
help stop rainforest destruction straight away".
Last year in Brazil, Greenpeace and other NGOs put in place a
plan and funding to stop deforestation in Brazil by 2015
Marcelo Marquesini, Greenpeace Amazon Campaigner said: "Brazil
has lost more rainforest than any other country in the world - an
area larger than France in the Amazon alone. This plan shows that
it is possible to achieve zero deforestation in Brazil. Now we need
to apply this on a global scale."
The world's rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
It is estimated that every two seconds an area of rainforest the
size of a football pitch is destroyed, releasing huge amounts of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is responsible
for one fifth of all emissions - more than the world's entire
entire transport sector.
VVPR info: Roman Czebiniak, Greenpeace International political advisor for forests and climate + 31 646 16 2009Christoph Thies, Greenpeace International Forest campaigner +49 17 1883 1107Marcelo Marquesini, Greenpeace Amazon campaigner +55 92 8137 9182Vicky Wyatt, Greenpeace International press officer on +44 7801 212 970
Notes: 1.)A copy of Forests for Climate (FFC) is available atwww.greenpeace.org/forestsforclimate2.) FFC creates a global fund financed by industrialised countries creating financial incentives and capacities to effectively reduce and finally stop deforestation in all tropical forest countries.Greenpeace’s proposal aims be a central part of the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol (post 2012). It comprises a national approach that prevents the shifting of forest destruction from one country to another and allows countries with both high and low deforestation rates to participate. Importantly, direct trading of credits is prohibited to prevent developed countries stopping making deep cuts in fossil fuel emissions at home. Independent monitoring and verification is also required.3.) The plans come off the back of a recent report published by the world renowned economist Sir Nicholas Stern who last month estimated that 15 billion dollars is needed every year if emissions from deforestation are to be halved in the next 10 years.4.) The 9th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is being held in Bonn, Germany, from 19th to 30th May.