UN's Ban calls for increased support to fight deforestation

2011-12-08 22:16:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations (UN) chief Ban Ki-moon has called for an increased support for the UN initiative to slow, halt and reverse deforestation.

The UN Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) seeks to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies to sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, especially called on Member States to help developing countries manage their forests in a sustainable manner, as well as increase their financing in related programs.

"Forests continue to disappear at an alarming rate," Ban stated, while acknowledging increased efforts. "We must do more, and with a greater sense of urgency."

Last year, at the conference held in Cancún, Mexico, nations agreed to take on REDD+. And while Ban recognized its importance, he underlined that there is much work to be done to fully implement the initiative.

Ban emphasized private sector partnerships "are essential for implementing the REDD+ agenda" and strengthening efforts in the Congo Basin and Amazon Basin regions as well in South-East Asia.

He also stressed that these partnerships need to boost local communities and smallholder farmers as well as respect the rights of indigenous people and empower women, adding that it is innovative and creative solutions that will "reduce poverty and help communities to adapt to climate change" and help create a "deforestation-free" market.

On Tuesday, at the start of the high-level meeting of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties, Ban underlined four key points, including implementing the Cancún Agreements, determining the future of the Kyoto Protocol, building on a vision for an effective and fair binding climate agreement, and firming up short and long-term financing commitments.

In particular, he asked developed countries to help inject initial capital to the Green Climate Fund, which would help developing nations protect themselves from climate impacts and build their own sustainable futures.

The launching of the fund is essential, Ban said, in order for developing countries to make progress on adaptation and mitigation. Several countries have already agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

South Africa announced it would implement a phase-out policy for inefficient lighting, effectively ending the use of incandescent light bulbs which are not as efficient or as cost-saving as energy efficient ones.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-08

I opened this with complete alarm! Read what the title says. Bad choice of words really just using the word Ban for the head of the UN! The title reads that the UN is banning calls for increased support to fight deforestation!! Whoops!