Ambitious forest goals at COP30 must be strengthened going forward
Despite weak negotiation results on climate goals, COP30 was a success for world rainforests.
PROTEST: Indigenous protest at COP30. Photo: Rainforest Foundation Norway
By Rainforest Foundation Norway.
“The Amazon insisted on being heard. She forced her way into the climate negotiations with tropical heat, torrential rain, and the largest Indigenous delegation of any previous COP. It was a rainforest COP that summoned both money and political will," said Toerris Jaeger, Executive Director of Rainforest Foundation Norway.
Although the world's largest rainforest is nearing an irreversible tipping point and global warming is increasing, countries failed to rally around Brazil's ambition for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and halt deforestation. However, Brazil has promised to lead this work towards COP31 through a separate initiative to develop roadmaps for fossil fuel transition and halting deforestation by 2030.
"It is disappointing that countries did not agree to develop concrete plans to halt deforestation and phase out fossil fuels. However, we praise Lula for his persistence to go from promises to action on fossil fuels and to end deforestation by 2030. Lula is taking the lead when COP failed to do so," said Toerris Jaeger.
MINISTER: Brazil's Environment Minister Marina Silva gained support from 90 countries for a roadmap to halt deforestation and phase out fossil fuels. COP30 did not agree on the roadmap, but Brazil aims to present a new roadmap for COP31. Photo: Majo Giovo/Midia Ninja
Rainforest protection as crucial as renewable energy for climate
Individual countries have made a number of pledges during COP30, many of them concerning increased protection of rainforests. Rainforest countries have promised to improve the protection of Indigenous peoples' land rights, in total covering an area the size of France.
There have also been pledges of significant financial support for this effort, including from Norway. Brazil's flagship initiative, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, is a new, innovative financing mechanism that raised USD 6.6 billion during COP30, with Norway as the largest contributor.
"COP30 in the Amazon elevated rainforests as a key solution for solving the climate crisis, also by demonstrating to the world that rainforest protection is just as crucial as the transition to renewable energy in solving the climate crisis," said Toerris Jaeger.
From COP30
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Prescilia Monireh from our partner organisation in the DR Congo, ANAPAC, at the Rainforest Pavilion. Photo: RFN
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Breakfast meeting between Indigenous representatives and Norwegian parliamentarians. Photo: RFN
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Indigenous representatives celebrate formal recognition of their lands. Photo: Mayra Wapichana/Funai
Brazil recognises Indigenous lands
Brazil led by example and delivered rainforest protection on its home turf. During COP, Indigenous Peoples Minister Sônia Guajajara promised to strengthen the protection of 59 million hectares of rainforest. Four new Indigenous areas were formally recognised and work on another 16 was accelerated.
One of the newly recognised areas is Kaxuyana-Tunayana, covering 22,000 square kilometers of rainforest.
"The recognition of the territory is of great importance because it provides security for us, the forest people, our territory, and biodiversity. We Indigenous peoples are not only fighting for ourselves, but for the community and for nature," said Indigenous leader Juventino Kaxuyana.
However, Indigenous organizations in Brazil emphasize that much work remains before all Indigenous peoples have the necessary protection and rights to their land.
"Without rainforests, and without the people who protect them, we cannot prevent dangerous climate change. Now we must step up our efforts and ensure that the promises made at COP30 are fulfilled, says Toerris Jaeger.
Photo: Thomas Marent
Key rainforest outcomes from COP30:
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Launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a new global forest fund for the rainforest. Norway has pledged to support this fund with USD 3bn over ten years.
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Promises of better protection of Indigenous territories in the most important rainforest countries, and USD 1.8 bn from 40 donors to support Indigenous land rights in rainforests.
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Recognition of four new Indigenous territories in Brazil.
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Call to respect Indigenous peoples' rights in mineral extraction.
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Agreement to give special emphasis to the rights of Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation.
Contact:
Anders Haug Larsen
Advocacy Director
(+47) 932 17 626
andershl@rainforest.no