Protecting Forests in Global North Countries: A Call to Action
Sikeade Egbuwalo, the biodiversity lead at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment, is raising a crucial alarm on the impacts of logging in the Global North and its reverberations in countries like Nigeria. The urgent need for a more equitable and coordinated approach to tackle deforestation is highlighted as Indigenous communities struggle to survive amidst forest loss and degradation, encroaching deserts, failing rainy seasons, and diminishing food supplies. The call to action is clear – effective protection of 30% of the West African ECOWAS region by 2030 is imperative to preserve our invaluable forests.
Challenges and Double Standards
Despite global commitments and declarations such as those made at COP26 and COP28, the ambition to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030 faces significant hurdles. The focus on tropical deforestation has allowed the wealthiest countries in the Global North to evade accountability for the impacts within their own forests. The detrimental consequences of clear-cutting primary and old-growth forests in the Global North are alarming, with high rates of tree cover loss that extend beyond borders, impacting ecosystems worldwide.
Obstacles and Inequities
Efforts by policymakers in Europe to exempt their industries from forest protection regulations and weaken accountability measures highlight a broader trend of obstructionism by Global North countries. This inequity not only undermines progress on natural climate solutions but also places an unfair burden on nations in the Global South, hindering collaborative efforts to address forest degradation. The need for a shared global responsibility for forest protection is emphasized as we approach crucial climate talks and strive for cohesive global supply chain standards.
A Global Call to Action
In response to these challenges, African nations, including Nigeria, have taken a proactive stance by supporting the development of a global forest accountability and equity framework. This framework aims to drive global progress, align forest protection standards across different regions, and unite the world in a concerted effort to protect our forests. The urgent plea for equity in forest protection resonates as a shared responsibility that transcends geographical boundaries and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all nations in combating climate change.
Joining Forces for a Sustainable Future
As Nigeria reiterates its call for equity in forest protection at international forums, the message is clear – the fight against forest loss and degradation is a collective endeavor that requires the commitment of all countries. Moving forward, the imperative is to work together as true partners, transparently and equitably, to safeguard and restore the forests that are essential for our shared future. As we look ahead to COP30, the time is now to unite in a common goal of protecting our forests for generations to come.