COP26 launches international initiative to protect forests

A new initiative to protect tropical forests from deforestation, ensuring that development and trade are sustainable, was launched yesterday by the United Kingdom, host of the COP26 climate summit in November. This is the Dialogue on Forests, Agriculture and Trade in Commodities (FACT, the acronym in English for Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade), which will bring together the main exporting and consuming countries of agricultural products in the search for solutions that make this process greener and more sustainable.

The announcement was made yesterday, 02/02, by Alok Sharma, president of COP26, and 18 other ministers from different countries.

The international trade of commodities such as palm oil, soy and beef generate more than US$80 billion per year in export revenues for producing countries and contribute to food security and economic growth in consuming countries. The sector provides work and livelihoods for around 1,5 billion people, most of them in developing countries. However, at the same time, forests continue to disappear at an alarming rate and in some cases, deforestation is increasing.

The FACT initiative aims to agree principles for collaborative action on a shared roadmap for the transition towards sustainable supply chains and international trade, taking action now to protect forests while promoting development and trade.

"I am proud to bring together countries that can make global trade more sustainable for everyone", highlighted Alok Sharma, president of COP26. "It's about working together to protect our precious forests, improving livelihoods and supporting economic development and food security, which is one of our top priorities for COP26."

Also at yesterday's event, TFA (Tropical Forest Alliance), partner of the FACT initiative, announced the creation of a Global Multilateral Task Force focused on trade in commodities. The working group will bring together more than 25 personalities who work with sustainability, who will channel their expertise and advise on government dialogues throughout the year.

“This bold initiative ensures that all relevant voices will be heard as countries come together to ensure more sustainable land use,” commented Justin Adams, TFA Executive Director. "Action to protect the planet's diversity and establish a sustainable future will require the global collaboration of all of society, from policymakers and producers to individual consumers. This partnership with COP26 to enable FACT is a source of great pride for us ".

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) will take place in Glasgow from 1 to 12 November 2021. Its main goal is to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Climate Change Agenda.

Yesterday's event can be watched at the address https://bit.ly/FACTDialogueLive