COP27: 25 countries unite to end deforestation by 2030

More than 25 countries at the UN climate conference COP27 have launched a group to hold each other accountable for a pledge to end deforestation by 2030, as they announce billions of dollars in additional financing for this step.

This came during the first meeting of Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership, chaired by the United States and Ghana, takes place a year after more than 140 leaders promised at COP26 to end deforestation.

The new group which includes Japan, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and others accounts for roughly 35 percent of the world’s forests and seeks to meet twice a year to track the progress.

“This partnership is a critical next step to collectively deliver on this promise and help keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C alive,” said British COP26 President Alok Sharma in a statement.