COP18: Deforestation must be tackled to combat climate change

COP18: Deforestation must be tackled to combat climate change

COP18 (01/12/12) – Peter Akong Minang, Global Coordinator, ASB – Partnership for Tropical Forest Margins talks about the challenge of deforestation across the world.

He says that in Latin America, forests are lost to cattle ranches, while in Africa, the main issues is small holder farmers. He says the major emerging problem is industrialised plantations, for example for oil palm. He warns this is a significant problem in Asia.

He talks about the impact of this deforestation on climate change – the loss of 14-16 million hectares a year is contributing 15% to global emissions. He says deforestation also impacts of the role forests play in aiding climate adaptation and also other services, such as biodiversity.