The Governments of Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States have collectively to dedicate USD3.5 billion as initial public finance for REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, including conservation, sustainable forest management (SFM) and stock enhancement).
In a statement, the six countries said: “Actions to reduce emissions from forests can help to stabilize our climate, support livelihoods, provide biodiversity conservation, and promote economic development. As part of an ambitious and comprehensive deal, we recognise the significant role of international public finance in supporting developing countries’ efforts to slow, halt and eventually reverse deforestation.”
“With this in mind, we collectively dedicate USD3.5 billion of fast-start climate change financing for ‘REDD+’ over the 2010 to 2012 period. We regard this as an initial investment in developing countries that put forward ambitious REDD+ plans and that achieve forest emission reductions according to their respective capabilities. We collectively commit to scaling up our finance thereafter in line with opportunities and the delivery of results. We invite other donors to join us in this effort to make early action on REDD+ a reality,” the statement added.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that “Unless action is taken, these forests could be lost forever, impacting not only the global climate but on the livelihoods of 90% of the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty who rely on forest resources for their survival.”
“Around $25 billion over the period of 2010-15 is needed to cut deforestation rates in developing countries by 25% by 2015,” PM Brown added.
Related LinkDepartment of Energy and Climate Change - Agreement on $3.5bn initial funding for deforestation
