UK Government pledges support to tackle deforestation

The UK Government has joined a public-private initiative to tackle deforestation and help address climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker (pictured) pledged […]

The UK Government has joined a public-private initiative to tackle deforestation and help address climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker (pictured) pledged support to the Tropical Forests Alliance 2020, which provides a forum to share best practice with major private companies that have adopted sustainable supply chains and encourage other Governments and firms to take similar steps.

Mr Barker made the announcement during a meeting with Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington yesterday.

He said: “The urgency of tackling climate change is clear and limiting global warming to 2°C limit will be extremely challenging – if not impossible – without a significant reduction in deforestation before 2020. With up to 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from deforestation, tackling this issue is a central part of how to address climate change, support greener growth and sustainable development.”

The Alliance, established last year, is a partnership set up by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) – which is an industry network representing more than 400 retailers and manufacturers – and the US Government. Norway and the Netherlands have also been invited to join the group.

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