Vice Minister Carlos Isaac Pérez outlines national advances ahead of Woodrise 2025
Costa Rica is pioneering climate-positive construction through ambitious forest-based policies and innovative regulation.
In his statement to Woodrise 2025, Vice Minister Carlos Isaac Pérez details key milestones: the launch of the country’s first National Code for Construction with Wood, development of a Climate Change Code for the Construction Sector, and creation of a National System for Forest Traceability with a “Legal Timber” seal. Backed by financing from the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (LuxDev), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), these initiatives strengthen forest SMEs, embed deforestation-free standards, and align with international principles for responsible wood construction—including those championed by Built by Nature and the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP).
Costa Rica’s approach is rooted in strong private-sector alliances that have helped drive innovation and implementation across the value chain. These efforts are fully integrated into the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reinforcing its role as a regional leader in sustainable building and global climate governance.
With eyes on COP30 in Brazil, Costa Rica’s forest-based construction strategy sets the stage for renewed international commitments and positions the country as a model for climate-positive development.
Launched during New York Climate Week in collaboration with Brazil and supported by UNEP, the plan sets six priority actions to mobilize global finance and end deforestation by 2030
On 23 September at the New York Climate Week (NYCW), the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP), a coalition of 34 governments, released the Forest Finance Roadmap for Action, a six-point plan to close the world’s forest finance gap and accelerate progress toward halting and reversing forest loss by 2030.
Developed in collaboration with the Government of Brazil and supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Roadmap responds to new UNEP analysis estimating an annual $66.8 billion funding gap for forests in tropical countries.
The Roadmap is the first joint framework that unites governments from the Global North and South around a common vision for mobilizing and coordinating finance. Aligned with the COP30 Action Agenda and Presidency Priorities, it translates high-level pledges—such as the COP26 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration—into concrete, finance-ready solutions that can be scaled in Belém and beyond.
At the launch, ministers and senior leaders outlined six priority actions designed to unlock billions in public and private investment:
Establishing innovative financial mechanisms and the Tropical Forests Forever Facility,
Expanding demand for high-integrity jurisdictional forest credits,
Accelerating the forest bioeconomy,
Redirecting supply-chain finance,
Aligning fiscal policies, and
Leveraging sovereign-debt instruments to reward forest resilience.
Collectively, these measures could conservatively generate tens of billions of dollars annually by 2030, demonstrating that forest protection and economic development can advance together.
Real-world momentum is already evident. Costa Rica and Guyana are channeling carbon-credit revenues into conservation and Indigenous community support. Kenya is scaling sustainable wood in green construction, Brazil is expanding rural credit for climate-smart agriculture, and Uruguay has issued the first deforestation-linked sovereign bond. Private-sector announcements, including the Brazil Restoration and Bioeconomy Finance Coalition’s $4.5 billion commitment, reinforced that the Roadmap’s vision is both practical and investable.
An independent publication produced in consultation with the FCLP’s Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood working group
The FCLP welcome the publication of “Public Policies Promoting Forest-Positive Buildings: a Review of 21 Countries” by Gabrielle Kissinger, Lexeme Consulting. Gabrielle’s review of the public policy landscape governing the value chain from forests to the buildings and construction sector contributes to the FCLP initiative on Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood launched at COP28. The FCLP and partner organizations are using these findings to inform and encourage action that advances the use of wood in construction in a way that ensures win-win outcomes for forests and climate. We look forward to demonstrating this progress and scaling up action at COP30.
Roadmap Outlined to Protect Indigenous Lands and Drive Sustainable Forest Management
Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 19th August 2025:
Chiefs, Indigenous and local leaders, commissioners and senior government officials met last week for an in-country workshop on the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment, titled Towards a Forest Rights Commitment.
This ambitious commitment aims to recognise and secure a substantive number of hectares of Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ lands and territories and strengthen existing legislation. Participants discussed how the Commitment could be implemented in the Cross River State – affectionally dubbed ‘the nation’s paradise.’
Experts and academics from the region discussed forest tenure and customary rights in the region, as well as case studies, including the Ekuri Initiative. The Ekuri Community in the Cross River State started an initiative in the early 1990s to manage their community forest adjacent to the National Park, home to the critically endangered Cross River gorilla.
Formalised through the Ekuri Initiative, planned community forest management has helped to drive local development, conservation, sustainable forest management and address poverty by improving access to sustainable livelihoods. Participants discussed lessons learnt, and how to expand initiatives such as Ekuri.
At the end of the two-day workshop, participants drafted a five-year roadmap, with proposed milestones for Nigeria’s endorsement of the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment. Ideas suggested included strengthened community-based financing and mapping, legislative reviews and ongoing consultations with governments, funders, and local communities.
Mr. Moses Ama, Director of Forestry – Federal Ministry of Environment, said “tenure security is not merely a legal formality; it is the foundation for climate action, biodiversity protection, and sustainable livelihoods. Here in Cross River, communities like Ekuri and Iko Esai have already shown us that when local people are empowered to steward their forests, the benefits extend far beyond their boundaries. This workshop is our chance to build on those examples, close the gaps, and send a clear signal that Nigeria is ready to lead in securing forest rights as part of our climate and development agenda”
High Chief Achu said “the government should not only organize workshops like this regularly but also honour its obligations to communities. Loyalty and benefits due to us must be paid, and proper checks enforced on what is taken from our forests. With the right support — including mobility for supervision and adequate backing for the Forestry Commission — communities will be better equipped to conserve the forests that sustain us all.”
Dr. Ogigha Odigha, said “every community must have an effective engagement process, supported by civil society, to help people advocate for their rights. Laws alone are not enough; unless the government is willing to implement them and communities are empowered to speak up, tenure security will remain on paper rather than in practice.”
FCLP Annual Report 2024: Showcasing Global Progress on Forest and Climate Goals
The Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) has published its second annual report, reflecting significant progress made in 2024 under the leadership of co-chairs Ghana and the United States. The report highlights collaborative global efforts to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030, in line with the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.
Formed at COP27, the FCLP is a high-ambition coalition of governments committed to protecting the world’s forests while promoting sustainable development and rural transformation. In 2023, the 2030 forest goal was formally adopted under the UAE Consensus at COP28, reinforcing global commitment.
Throughout 2024, the FCLP convened at key international moments, including New York Climate Week, CBD COP16 in Cali, and UNFCCC COP29 in Baku—where it hosted the only leader-level event on forests.
The report details progress across priority workstreams led by FCLP members, tackling challenges such as:
Land tenure recognition for Indigenous Peoples and local communities
Strengthening forest carbon markets
Promoting sustainable timber in construction
Scaling investment in nature through innovative finance
Enhancing international cooperation to implement national deforestation strategies
As the FCLP looks ahead to 2025 under new co-chairs Guyana and the United Kingdom, and with support from UNOPS as host, the partnership continues to grow as a dynamic force driving global forest and climate action.
Government, Indigenous and Philanthropic leaders call for land tenure and forest finance pledges to be delivered at COP30 in Brazil
London United Kingdom, 26th June 2025: Governments, including Brazil, the United Kingdom, Norway, Peru, Colombia, Germany and Ghana, Indigenous Peoples organisations, including the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities, and philanthropies, including Bezos Earth Fund and Ford Foundation, today called for the delivery of two major commitments at COP30 in Brazil this November to scale action for nature, climate and justice.
This rallying call was launched following discussions at a roundtable during London Climate Action Week, convened by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, titled ‘Nature’s Guardians: On the Road to COP30 & Beyond’.It seeks to build on the historic $1.7 billion commitment to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities made at COP26 in Glasgow, where 140 governments also pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
The group calls for governments to join the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment, facilitated by the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership. This ambitious commitment aims to recognise and secure a substantive number of hectares of Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ lands and territories and strengthen existing legislation. Governments and private sector donors are also called to deliver a bold, inclusive “Forest Tenure Pledge 2.0” that ensures direct access to finance for Indigenous and community-led initiatives, further advancing land tenure security.
Her Excellency Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, said: “Indigenous peoples have always been the true guardians of nature. Recognizing our rights, demarcating our territories, and valuing the knowledge and solutions we offer is not only fair, but essential to protecting the land, the forests, and the climate future we all depend on.”
His Excellency Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, said: “At the upcoming climate summit in Brazil, we need to see a historic commitment to scale up land and territorial rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in tropical forest countries. This will require collective political ambition and will be reflected in the hectares we secure, the rights we recognize and the funding we deliver.”
His Excellency, Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change of the United Kingdom, said: “The only way to protect current generations in the UK is by making Britain a clean energy superpower and the only way to protect future generations is by leading global climate action. The UK is back in the business of climate leadership, because this is the route to good jobs, energy security and tackling the climate crisis.
“We are proud to stand alongside Brazil, Peru and Norway as climate leaders as we prepare for COP30. This work is essential in accelerating action on forests, and securing tenure rights is a proven, powerful solution that can help to mobilise much-needed finance.”
Her Excellency Raquel Hilianova Soto Torres, Vice Minister of Strategic Development of Natural Resources, Peru, said: “Governments must work hand in hand with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who are at the forefront of climate action, to secure their lands, resources, and ways of life. For this reason, Peru is calling for a renewed financial commitment and the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment. Delivered together, these initiatives can advance IPLC Tenure Rights in Tropical Forest Countries”
The leaders encourage the recognition of the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in climate and nature strategies, ensuring their direct and meaningful engagement – including the co-design, monitoring and implementation of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF).
As a result of these discussions, leaders in attendance have issued the following call to action:
London Call to Action: Nature’s Guardians — On the Road to COP30
Life – all life – is dependent upon nature. Around the world there are individuals and communities who dedicate their lives to protecting nature, for us all. These Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, are partners and leaders, rights-holders with their own solutions. For them, nature is not a separate entity. It is life itself — the source of memory, the dwelling of ancestors, the ground of community. Speaking of “protecting nature” means protecting the web of relationships that sustain all life, human and more-than-human. Their knowledge, practices, and ways of life are not only aligned with the health of ecosystems — they are essential to it.
As we approach UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, we have a historic opportunity to scale ambition and action for nature, climate, and justice. Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, play a vital role in protecting ecosystems and sustaining the health of our planet. Protection of Indigenous territories and community lands can make a huge contribution to deliver the global goals to protect 30% of land, sea and freshwater by 2030. Ahead of COP30 we call on governments, philanthropic institutions, private sector and civil society organisations to work together in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. It is time to turn global recognition into resolute commitment.
Specifically, we call for funders and partners to:
Recognise the critical role of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, in global nature and climate strategies, and partner with them to turn global commitments into action, including through tenure reform, improved governance, applying the principles of free, prior and informed consent, and rights to life and those regarding traditional knowledge;
Center Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, including women and youth, in nature and climate decision-making, implementation, and accountability efforts;
Support an Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment that strengthens land tenure systems, protecting the land and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities at scale, and particularly in tropical forest countries, to be announced at COP30;
Renew and deepen commitments through a bold “Land and Forest Tenure Pledge 2.0” that delivers, where possible, long-term, enabling, and direct access to finance for Indigenous- and community-led initiatives and their allies; and
Engage Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, in a meaningful manner in the Tropical Forest Forever Facility co-design, monitoring and decision-making and implementation, to be launched at COP30.
As we approach COP30, the leaders from government, philanthropy, private sector, and Indigenous Peoples, reunited today in London to align behind these priorities and call to accelerate progress toward a just and resilient future.
This call to action is proudly endorsed by:
Governments
Philanthropies
Indigenous Organisations
Federal Government of Brazil Republic of Colombia Federal Republic of Germany Republic of Ghana Kingdom of Norway Republic of Peru United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Bezos Earth Fund ClimateWorks Foundation CLUA (Climate and Land Use Alliance) Ford Foundation Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation International Conservation Fund of Canada Jacobs Futura Foundation Marshall Foundation Minderoo Foundation Nia Tero Rainforest Trust Re:wild Rockefeller Brothers Fund Synchronicity Earth The Christensen Fund The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Wyss Foundation
Lindsey Allen, Climate and Land Use Alliance,said: “At the Climate and Land Use Alliance, we stand together with Indigenous leaders, governments, private sector and philanthropic leaders to send a clear message ahead of COP30: Indigenous peoples, Afro-Descendants and local community rights, climate action, and the protection of nature are critical.”
Cristian Samper,Bezos Earth Fund, said: “Indigenous peoples and local communities have played a critical role in protecting tropical forests for generations. Their role as guardians of nature is crucial to achieve the goal to protect 30% of the planet by 2030”
Dr. Jun Fukuda, Director, Wood Products Industry Division, Forestry Agency of Japan, presented Japan’s legislative and promotional efforts to encourage wood use in both residential and non-residential sectors.
Ms. Katie Stokes, Assistant Director, International Forest Policy, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Australia, presented Australia’s supporting policy and regulatory environment to enable increased use of sustainable wood products in construction.
Mr. Sung Jin Lee, Director, Wood Industry Division, Korea Forest Service, introduced Korea’s wood use promotion policies, awareness raising initiatives, and notable high-rise wooden buildings.
Dr. Sang-Joon Lee, Senior Researcher, National Institute of Forest Science of Korea, examined the current status and prospects of Korea’s wood architecture as a means to achieve national carbon neutrality targets, and introducing the latest R&D outcomes and ways forward to revitalize wood architecture.
Mr. Hiroaki Nishimura, Senior Deputy Director, Counsellor’s Office for Building Regulations, Housing Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, shared insights on the rationalization of fire safety and structural regulations under Japan’s Building Standard Act.
Mr. Tevita Bulai, Acting Conservator of Forests, Ministry of Forestry of Fiji, discussed sustainable forest management and capacity building in the timber industry to support sustainable wood use in Fiji.
Protecting Indigenous land is key to climate fight – leaders call for historic COP30 deal
New York, 29 April 2025 – Leaders from tropical forest nations are urging governments, philanthropies and private sector to take action at COP30. They want a historic commitment to scale up the recognition of land rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities and a fresh wave of funding to back it up.
Please find below the full press release for download.
Third Progress Report of the Global Forest Finance Pledge published
09 January 2025 – Three years after the COP26 in Glasgow, the third progress report of the Global Forest Finance Pledge (GFFP) highlights continued momentum in the global fight against deforestation and forest degradation. The report reveals that in its first 3 years, 77% – or USD 10 billion – of the five-year USD 13 billion commitment has already been directed towards forest-related programs in developing countries.
The COP26 pledge marked the largest public finance commitment for forests, with 11 governments and the European Union joining forces to protect, restore, and sustainably manage forests worldwide. The GFFP supports ambitious partnerships addressing deforestation’s root causes while promoting sustainable opportunities for local communities.
Please find below the full press release as well as the GFFP report for download.
Canada, European Commission on behalf of the European Union, Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Japan, Kingdom of Belgium, Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Advancing Forest and Climate Action: Summary of FCLP activities during COP16 in Cali
During the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) taking place in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024, the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership convened multiple high-level discussions aimed at steering critical conversations on forest conservation, innovative instruments for financing forests, and land tenure recognition.
