Curbing deforestation

STEPPING UP THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE, Ministers responsible for forestry from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are pressing for more cooperation to curb deforestation and biodiversity loss in the region.

APEC economies (including New Zealand) account for more than 50% of global forest areas, 60% of global wood products and 80% of global trade in forest products.

Member economies have been working on their ambitious goal of increasing forest cover by at least 20 million hectares by 2020 across the region. This goal has been achieved and exceeded, as the forest cover in APEC increased by 27.9 million hectares between 2007 and 2020.

“Although we have been able to complete our mission in 2020, still these wake up calls — which include global environmental threats, particularly climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as economic and social consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic, and other global challenges — all remain as key concerns of forest policy,” said Varawut Silpa-archa, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment at the recent APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry held in Thailand.

Minister Varawut also urged member economies to strengthen cooperation and continue sharing information and best practices on combatting illegal logging and associated trade among APEC economies: “As APEC is the top destination for global forest product trade, it gives the region an additional responsibility in ensuring that forests are sustainably managed.”

The Ministers recognised that forests play an essential role in tackling climate change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, especially in the process of moving towards carbon neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, action is needed to maintain forest cover and reverse forest loss, prevent forest degradation and sustainably manage forests.

“We are increasingly made aware of the impact of extreme weather, brought about by climate change, being experienced in many parts of the world, including in our region — drought, floods, heat waves — these are surely mother nature’s warning to us of the cost of inaction or slow action. It is in this context that our meeting here is of significance. Forestry, with its unique role and contribution to sustainable development, has the potential to be a leading sector in achieving green growth,” added Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat.