Glasgow, Scotland — Today, COP26 saw a flurry of announcements on global forests — among them a new agreement between governments, including Brazil, to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. But Greenpeace International slammed the announcements as ‘green lights’ for another decade of forest destruction.
In response to the new announcements, Greenpeace USA Senior Forests Campaigner, Diana Ruiz, said:
“The forest deals presented so far at COP26 illustrate the lack of meaningful commitments world leaders are willing to take to protect the world’s forests, the people who depend on them and the climate. The deals brokered today in the name of forest protection show the massive failure of industry and governments to tackle the drivers of deforestation and stop the expansion of industrial agriculture, particularly for industrial meat production.
“Despite all of the statements, the pandering to corporate giants continues. There are no clear dramatic or immediate steps that will actually change the pace and production of key drivers of deforestation. Indigenous Peoples’ land rights continue to be under threat. Governments are signing forest protection commitments with one hand in Glasgow while the other hand is introducing national laws that further risk land grabs and weaken environmental regulations.
“To win the fight against the climate crisis we must end deforestation now, protect the forests that are still standing, and restore those that have been destroyed. We cannot wait another decade.”
Notes:
For reporters currently in Glasgow, Greenpeace Brazil Executive Director Carolina Pasquali is available for interviews. Please contact the Greenpeace International Press Desk with requests.
Greenpeace International’s press release, with quotes from both Brazil and the Congo Basin, can be found here.
Contact:
Katie Nelson, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (678) 644-1681, [email protected]
Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)
