By 2024, deforestation was at record highs and past year’s record was broken yet again. 3.1 million hectares exceeded the entire world’s most ambitious target to stop forest loss by 2030 at the most ambitious global level. Environmental experts are deeply concerned by this troubling fact. Now, they’re warning that such far-flung international pledges made in recent years are not actually stopping deforestation.
The insatiable spread of industrialized agriculture fuels continued deforestation. Comprehensive report, over the last decade it has led to a staggering 85% of all forest loss. Illustration of tropical primary forest loss by year, with heights indicating severity within that year. They’ve been reduced by over 6.7 million hectares, equal to around 16.6 million acres.
A little over a year ago, more than 140 world leaders made a promise at the UN COP to halt deforestation by the end of this decade. The latest data reveal that deforestation has not dropped dramatically. Last year alone, a landmass bigger than Scotland was destroyed mainly to make way for farming practices.
The Challenge of Political Will
Experts warn that political will is desperately needed to bring new life to global anti-deforestation initiatives. They’re already getting ready for COP30 — taking place in Brazil later this year. Erin Matson, a senior expert at the Climate Focus think tank, called for sweeping reforms. We need to shift the world’s focus back toward protecting our forests.
“Deforestation has not meaningfully declined since the beginning of the decade, and we’re already halfway through.” – Erin Matson
Yet Martinez Carrillo remained cautiously optimistic about the prospect of COP30. She hopes it can become a global hub for new ambition to tackle deforestation.
“Every year we are losing this level of forests.” – Erin Matson
At the same time, Brazil’s government is trying to create a new model with an innovative fund. This conservation fund will pay developing countries in tropical Asia, Africa, and Latin America for preventing the destruction of their tropical forests. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chose Belem to be the host city for this important climate gathering. By selecting this gateway to the Amazon rainforest, he made a powerful statement about the importance of forests in sequestering carbon dioxide.
“Looking at the global picture of deforestation, it is dark, but we may be in the darkness before the dawn.” – Erin Matson
Innovative Funding Initiatives
Brazil is reported by a French government source to have committed $1 billion towards the fund. This commitment will be central to the discussions and plans COP30 must take to be impactful.
Elisabeth Hoch heads international portfolios at the think tank Climate and Company. She was particularly keen to promote Brazil’s initiative. She thinks that this might help to create a much wider groundswell of international support for keeping forests standing.
“What is new about this initiative… it’s the scale, it’s the simplicity, it’s the long-term vision, and it’s the leadership of the Global South.” – Elisabeth Hoch
A diverse coalition of scientists and advocates has published their yearly report card on the state of deforestation. This creates a dire picture of continued deforestation. Experts are urging lawmakers to act quickly to stem this rising tide of catastrophe.
A Call for Global Action
Their report paints a dire picture. Don’t count out COP30 yet, this scenario still has a small chance of evolving into a COP30 climate moment that ends the battle against deforestation.
As nations gather in Brazil to discuss climate change and environmental conservation, discussions surrounding deforestation are expected to take center stage. What happens in these negotiations will likely shape the future course of global forest conservation efforts for decades to come.
“This is the forest COP. I think there’s a lot of opportunity there.” – Erin Matson
As nations gather in Brazil to discuss climate change and environmental conservation, discussions surrounding deforestation are expected to take center stage. The outcome of these talks could determine the future trajectory of global forest preservation efforts.