The commitment of more than 100 countries to ending deforestation by 2030 is the highlight of the second day of the summit of the 26th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), held in Glasgow, Scotland.
A declaration signed by 105 countries, including Brazil, seals the commitment to collective actions to halt and reverse forest loss and soil degradation by 2030. At the same time, the document highlights the agreement for sustainable development and the promotion of transformations rural areas that are inclusive.
Deforestation and desertification are challenges for facing climate change and for sustainable development, in addition to affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world, according to the UN. The human action of invading ecosystems also puts human beings at risk, with the emergence of zoonotic diseases, which are those transmitted by animals.
In addition to Brazil, which is the target of discussions at COP26, especially for the Amazon, countries such as Canada, Russia, Colombia, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which also have significant forest areas, participate in the initiative.
The document recognizes that, in order to meet the goals of land use, climate, biodiversity and sustainable development, at global and national levels, transformative actions will be needed, from production to consumption, infrastructure development, in addition to supporting small landowners, peoples indigenous peoples and communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.
The announcement will be made this Tuesday (2), during the COP26 session on forests. Leaders will commit about $12 billion of public resources for protection and restoration, in addition to $7.2 billion of private investment.
The commitment reinforces previous collective and individual agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Goals of Sustainable development.
The goals and plans of global leaders to zero carbon emissions by countries, the adaptation of nations to protect communities and natural habitats and the mobilization of resources are themes that continue on the agenda of discussions this Tuesday (2).
One of the highlights will be a conference on forests and land use, which will present how interventions in the area, with sustainable livelihood methods, can positively impact the maintenance of the global temperature target of 1.5°C.
In a second moment, world and business leaders discuss strategies to accelerate innovation and implementation of clean technologies, which are accessible and economically viable for countries.
In a statement, the Brazilian business sector stated that it defends the end of illegal deforestation as a fundamental step towards combating climate change and meeting the Brazilian target in the Paris Agreement.
“Brazilian companies support the declaration on forests and land use launched at the UN Climate Conference, COP26. The central points of the text are in line with the sustainable development model that the sector defends, especially for Brazil to regain its leading role and benefit from the great competitive advantages it has, with the generation of jobs and income”, says the text.
Highlights of the first day of COP26
The minister of the Environment, Joaquim Leite, opened Brazil’s participation in COP26 this Monday. Leite presented the goals of the summit country, which include a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and the neutralization of carbon emissions by 2050.
“Today we present a new, more ambitious climate target, going from 43% to 50% by 2030; and carbon neutrality until 2050, which will be formalized during COP26”, said the minister in a remote address to global leaders.
In addition to Brazil, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union have also announced new targets for reducing carbon dioxide. The United States has increased its greenhouse gas reduction target from 26% to 50% by 2030. The European Union has promised a jump from 28% to 55%, while the United Kingdom has promised from 68% to 78%. The information is from the columnist of CNN Brasil Lourival Sant’Anna.
“I reinforce our commitments with the generation of an economy neutral in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but at the same time guaranteeing the generation of jobs and income”, completed Leite, who will travel to Glasgow next week to participate in the event.
The Minister of Agriculture, Tereza Cristina, also addressed the COP26 this Monday. Tereza stated that Brazil will disseminate low carbon emission technologies by the end of this decade.
“By 2030, we will disseminate low-carbon technologies to more than 72 million hectares of arable land, promoting productivity gains on already consolidated agricultural lands, without the need to convert new areas to productive activity. With this we will mitigate the equivalent of the emission of more than one billion tons of CO2”, said the minister in Brasília.
Speaking to world leaders, US President Joe Biden apologized for actions taken by former President Donald Trump’s administration on climate, such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.
“I don’t think I should apologize, but I do apologize for the fact that the United States – in the last administration – pulled out of the Paris Agreement, putting us a bit behind the 8 ball,” Biden said at an action and solidarity event in Glasgow.
In her last speech at the climate summit as chancellor, German Angela Merkel stated that government actions alone will not be enough in the fight against climate change. She advocated better prices for carbon dioxide emissions.
“What we need is a comprehensive transformation in the way we live, work and do business. And that’s why I want to make a clear appeal here for the price of carbon emissions. From CO2 emissions,” said Merkel.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a net zero emissions target, promising the country will become carbon neutral by 2070. However, India has yet to set a date for its net zero ambition.
In addition, the 2070 target is two decades later than the time when the world as a whole must achieve net zero emissions to prevent temperatures from rising above 1.5°C.
The United Kingdom, host of COP26, was given the welcoming role performed by Queen Elizabeth II, with a video message. According to the Queen, Glasgow, Scotland, was “once the heart of the industrial revolution, but now a place to deal with climate change”.
Elizabeth II recalled the commitment of her late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to “the impact of the environment on human progress.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said actions are crucial to avert the disastrous effects of climate change. According to Johnson, humanity has already run out of time in the struggle against this change.
“We are a minute away from midnight and we need to act now,” Johnson said at the opening ceremony of COP26.
French President Emmanuel Macron has provided 7 billion euros to help the poorest countries reduce carbon emissions. At the meeting, Macron warned that the most polluting countries have to make more efforts in this regard.
(With information from Raphael Coraccini, Allie Malloy, Stephanie Halasz and Ivana Kottasová, from CNN, and Agência Brasil)
Reference: CNN Brasil
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