Citola Blog
Global Forest Coalition Deforestation Drivers (COP16) [video]
The Global Forest Coalition (GFC) is an international coalition of NGOs and Indigenous Peoples' Organizations involved in international forest policy. The GFC was founded in the year 2000 by 19 NGOs and Indigenous Peoples' Organizations (IPOs) from all over the world.
The mission of the Global Forest Coalition is to improve livelihoods (i.e. reduce poverty and impoverishment) of Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent peoples by addressing the direct and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation as a basis for global forestry policy (while advocating the rights of Indigenous communities.)
The Global Forest Coalition has released a report today at the COP16 Climate Conference in Cancun, Mexico stating that the excessive demand for woodland is the major cause of deforestation. The GFC believes that policies driven by commercial/monetary outcomes do not address the underlying cause of forest loss. "Contrary to popular thinking, forests are dependent on the availability of land, not money," said Simone Lovera, Executive Director of the Global Forest Coalition. "The most effective policies to conserve and restore forests are those that reduce demand for land."
The Global Forest Coalition raises valid points about the impact on local communities and drivers of deforestation leading to what some may consider 'idealist' policy conclusions. However, the realities of the paradigm shift required as the global economy transforms to a 'renewable' and 'green' economy is clear and this will be driven by large and liquid environmental markets.
The Global Forest Coalition press conference can be seen below.
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