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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.

Photo (c) FCLP

 

Advancing Forest and Climate Action: Summary of FCLP activities during COP29 in Baku

During the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UNFCCC in Baku from 11 November – 22 November 2024, the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership convened high-level events aimed at steering critical conversations on forest protection, carbon finance, and sustainable construction. Read more of the FCLP activities during COP29 in Baku in our summary.

Photo: Global Leaders gather to advance forest protection and climate goals at COP29 (c) COP28 Climate Champion

 

Advancing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forest Tenure: Outcomes from COP16 and COP29

Baku, 24 November 2024 – At CBD COP16 and UNFCCC COP29, the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) convened high-level events focused on securing Indigenous Peoples, and local communities’ forest tenure. These gatherings brought together Indigenous leaders, local communities, government representatives, and philanthropies to accelerate progress towards strengthening land tenure security and forest management rights for Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent local communities in tropical forests.

Discussions featured contributions from ministers and senior officials from Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Germany, Norway, Peru, UK, USA, and key entities, such as the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities, the Global Environment Facility, the Land Tenure Facility, Rights and Resources Initiative, Bezos Earth Fund, and the Christensen Fund. Participants outlined critical steps for financial and political action, reaffirming the key role played by Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in achieving climate and biodiversity targets:

1. Developing financial and political ambition together. The events focused on two interrelated topics. First, a review of progress and next steps for the funders who committed USD 1.7 billion at UNFCCC COP26 to advancing support for Indigenous Peoples, and local communities’ tenure rights and forest guardianship in tropical forest countries. Second, leaders from tropical forest country governments and indigenous organizations called on the development of an inter-governmental political commitment to advance support for land tenure recognition.

These commitments could signify major progress by COP30 which Brazil noted would aim to be the COP with the largest participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives in history. Participants noted that it is critical to work with Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, if we are to reach the 2030 goal to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation, and that deforestation rates are almost always lower in areas managed by Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. 

2. Successful experiences and commitments from tropical forest countries. High level representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Ghana and Peru, showcased their progress and ambitions.  Speakers noted that land recognition and protection is a mitigation measure because it is one of the most important strategies to protect forests and avoid deforestation. For example, a critical aspect of Peru’s NDC is a goal to assign rights in 11 million hectares of uncategorized land in the Amazon, including land rights for Indigenous Peoples’ territories. Implementing these policies will require collaboration with global, national and regional partners. Colombia highlighted to need to work with indigenous authorities to secure the permanence of forests.

3. Implementation challenges. Several challenges to recognizing land tenure were outlined by participants. These included: a) providing good quality and robust data to support land mapping, b) supporting an integrated approach to land tenure recognition across ministries, c) increasing convening and understanding between local, national and international partners, and d) supporting adequate legal frameworks to assure judicial system recognition of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. In addition, it was noted that a lack of clarity of ownership can impact access to financing.  

4. Renewed financial pledge. In Glasgow, the first financial commitment was launched by countries and philanthropic organizations to support forest tenure and guardianship for Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in tropical forests. Funders report that they have disbursed USD 1.33 billion during the first 3 years of the pledge and expect to exceed the USD 1.7 billion target before the end of 2025. Full report on results and progress can be read here: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge Annual Report 2023–2024 | Land Portal. Event participants hoped that the commitment to secure Indigenous Peoples, and local communities land tenure from tropical forest countries can be accompanied by a second commitment for technical and financial support that takes into account the lessons learned described in the report. Speakers outlined an intention to do so, and to consult with indigenous leaders as part of this process.

Invitation to collaborate. Subsequent to these convenings, Norway and Peru have invited countries to work together in the next 10 months to develop a commitment to scale-up the recognition of forest tenure rights to a number of hectares of land for Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in tropical forest countries. This work will happen in parallel with the work to deliver a new financial pledge from the Forest Tenure Funders Group.

To date, the following countries have agreed to work together to deliver a high ambition outcome at COP30:

Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Tanzania, United Kingdom.

If you would like to work together to support this ambition, please get in touch with the secretariat@forestclimateleaders.org.      

Photo: Cali, October 31 2024: Ministerial Dialogue of the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Platform to support Forest Climate Action (c) FCLP

 

Media Advisory

Baku, 15 Nov 2024 – Call to Action on Securing Indigenous Peoples and local communities forest tenure, an event organised at COP29 by the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership.

Download the media advisory with all information here.

Photo (c) Andrea Rodriguez

Global Leaders Call for Accelerated Forest Carbon Payments to Protect Forests and Achieve Climate Goals

Baku, 14 November 2024, COP29 – At COP29 in Baku, the FCLP convened a high-level event with Indigenous Peoples, business, and environmental leaders to highlight efforts to urgently scale up financing for forest protection and climate action through results-based payments and high integrity carbon markets. They called for greater private sector investment and highlighted that momentum is now building to bring finance for forest carbon to scale, to greatly increase impact.

The political statement underscoring their commitment to scaling up finance for forests was issued by 15 countries, which are: Republic of Costa Rica, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Fiji, The French Republic, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Nigeria, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Peru, Republic of Singapore, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and The United States of America.

Please find below the FCLP Statement on Forest Carbon Results-Based Payments and Credits as well as the the press release.

FCLP Press Release 14 Nov 2024

Country Packages for forests, climate, and nature are a groundbreaking new approach to support countries in achieving ambitious forest and climate goals. Country Packages bring together governments, the private sector, philanthropy and multilateral institutions to help fill critical gaps in implementation. These packages integrate technical, financial, and diplomatic support; investment; and business partnerships. 

Six Country Packages have been launched to date, with more under development. The Packages reflect each host country’s distinct priorities and circumstances: 

Colombia: Colombia is socializing its “Vision and Portfolio for Climate Action and Socioecological and Just Energy Transition” package, which promotes a sustainable and orderly reindustrialization around water and in harmony with nature, consolidating an innovative model that positions Colombia as a leader in the transition to a green and resilient economy. This vision aligns industry with the protection of ecosystems and the well-being of communities. It unites Colombia’s commitments to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. This strategy is aligned with the NDC and the NBSAP, integrating actions that seek decarbonization and the recovery and sustainable use of the country’s strategic ecosystems, such as the Amazon, paramos, and tropical dry forests. Contact: Adriana Barbosa adriana.barbosa@forestclimateleaders.org 

Democratic Republic of Congo: The “Partnership for a New Climate Economy” package, launched at COP28 in 2023, focuses on conservation and management of DRC’s high-value forests, peatlands, and key biodiversity areas; expanding investments in the new climate economy, and establishing frameworks to access high-integrity international carbon markets. Initial support for this Package has been identified, and additional partners are welcome. Contact: Afia Mwenze awmwenze@gmail.com 

Gabon: The Gabon Country Package, announced at the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 in 2024, focuses on supporting and expanding protected areas and conservation to cover 30% of land and marine areas; investing in sustainable forest management, supply chains, and valuing natural capital; enhancing scientific knowledge on carbon sinks and biodiversity; and combating nature crimes including illegal timber trafficking, fishing and mining. Partners are welcome to join the effort. Contact: Jacques Kamffouga jacqueskamffouga@yahoo.fr

Ghana: The “Resilient Ghana” package launched at COP28 focuses on advancing nature-based industrialisation and sustainable rural development; building an inclusive green economy; and scaling climate ambition. Resilient Ghana is under implementation with support from partners including technical assistance, investments in enterprises, and carbon credit offtake agreements; additional partners are welcome. Contact: Roselyn Adjei yafossy@yahoo.com; Isaac Abbah-Mensah paasegu@yahoo.com 

Papua New Guinea (PNG): The PNG Country Package released at COP28 focuses on scaling up protected areas and conservation to cover 30% of land and marine areas; improving forest management, value chains, and governance of the forest sector; reinforcing long-term finance opportunities; supporting research and education; and monitoring. Initial implementation is underway with partners, and additional partners are welcome. Contact: Clement Brousse clement.brousse@diplomatie.gouv.fr  

Republic of Congo (ROC): The ROC Country Package announced at COP28 focuses on supporting and expanding the protected areas network to cover 30% of terrestrial and marine areas; supporting the national National Afforestation and Reforestation Program; enhancing scientific knowledge on carbon sinks and biodiversity; and environmental education. Implementation with partner support has begun, and additional partners are welcome. Contact Serge Mombouli stmombouli@gmail.com 

How to get involved 

Interested host countries are welcome to work with potential partners to develop a Country Package. The FCLP can provide materials on best practices, lessons learned, support opportunities, and examples of financial and support tools that may be relevant to a Package. 

Interested partners, whether government, private sector, philanthropy or multilateral, may contact the FCLP to identify potential opportunities and be connected with relevant host country governments; 

All engaged Country Package stakeholders are invited to join the Country Package International Working Group (IWG), which shares updates on individual Packages, identify potential new support opportunities; identify high profile, high-leverage events; and develop knowledge products

For more information contact: secretariat@forestclimateleaders.org 

Support for design and implementation 

Host countries may turn to different sources for support for Package development. Notably, the USD 115m Seed Fund was established by France, Conservation International, the Moore Foundation, and the Walton Foundation to support both the design and implementation of Country Packages. Bilateral, multilateral, and civil society partners may also provide support for Package design. 

A range of partners are providing the technical, financial, and diplomatic support; investment; and business partnerships necessary to implement these comprehensive frameworks. The most appropriate combination of partners will depend on the specific priorities and needs of each Country Package. The IWG has developed materials that assist host countries in identifying and reaching out to potential partners. Contact secretariat@forestclimateleaders.org for details.  

Leaders Protecting Forests to Meet Global Biodiversity and Climate Goals

Cali, 28 October 2024 – Ministers from nine countries delivered a clear message at CBD COP16 in Colombia: increasing the range of financial mechanisms to support countries, developing a broader range of financial instruments, and scaling the volume of finance available must happen in parallel in order to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030. Read more in our press release below.

Photo: Minister Susana Muhamad, Colombia (c) Wilder García

Advancing Forest & Climate Action: FCLP activities during Climate Week NYC 2024

During the recent Climate Week NYC (22-29 September 2024), the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership convened multiple high-level discussions aimed at steering critical conversations on forest conservation, carbon finance, and sustainable construction. Read more in the summary of FCLP activities during Climate Week NYC 2024: