Turning the tide on deforestation is a top priority for the UN Secretary-General as he called for accelerated efforts to halt deforestation and restore forests in 2019 through concerted action and advocacy across and beyond the UN system. An estimated 420 million ha of forest – an area larger than twice the size of Mexico – was lost between 1990 and 2020, with agricultural expansion driving about 90% of global deforestation in the 2000-2018 period.
Nature-based solutions can cost-effectively provide up to one-third of the climate change mitigation needed between now and 2030 to stabilize global warming below 1.5C. Of these, reducing deforestation and forest degradation are among the most effective options. This was emphasized and reflected through the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, adopted during the UNFCCC COP26 to accelerate efforts to halt deforestation by 2030.
At the High-level Dialogue leaders of CPF agencies will discuss actions, transparency and finance to accelerate efforts in turning the tide on deforestation. The dialogue will also serve to identify next steps to be taken to realize enhanced ambition.
