The%20Parliament%20voted%20this%20week%20on%20improving%20draft%20legislative%20requirements%20on%20deforestation-free%20products%2C%20updating%20the%20European%20Commission%E2%80%99s%20original%20proposal%2C%20which%20was%20presented%20in%20November%20last%20year.%0A%0ALawmakers%20have%20agreed%20to%20increase%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20which%20now%20have%20to%20prove%20they%20were%20sourced%20without%20causing%20deforestation%20to%20pig%2C%20sheep%20and%20goats%2C%20poultry%2C%20maize%20and%20rubber%2C%20charcoal%20and%20printed%20paper%20products.%20The%20original%20list%20also%20included%20cattle%2C%20cocoa%2C%20coffee%2C%20palm%20oil%2C%20soya%20and%20wood%2C%20all%20of%20which%20remain%20on%20the%20updated%20legislation.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20new%20amendments%2C%20companies%20selling%20those%20goods%20in%20the%20EU%20will%20need%20to%20prove%20that%20they%20were%20not%20produced%20while%20contributing%20to%20deforestation%20and%20with%20respect%20to%20the%20human%20rights%20of%20indigenous%20peoples.%0A%0AIt%20will%20now%20make%20it%20possible%20for%20indigenous%20peoples%20and%20local%20communities%20on%20the%20frontline%20of%20areas%20at%20risk%20of%20deforestation%20to%20bring%20forward%20evidence%20of%20any%20cases%20of%20non-compliance%20with%20the%20new%20rulings.%0A%0AWhile%20the%20decision%20has%20been%20widely%20welcomed%2C%20some%20green%20groups%20have%20branded%20a%20decision%20not%20to%20include%20a%20new%20remediation%20fund%20to%20assist%20local%20communities%20as%20%E2%80%9Cdisappointing%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AMichael%20Rice%2C%20ClientEarth%20lawyer%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20outcome%20of%20today%E2%80%99s%20vote%20is%20a%20big%20victory.%20MEPs%20were%20under%20heavy%20pressure%20to%20weaken%20the%20obligations%20on%20companies%20whose%20products%20are%20destroying%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20forests%20and%20harming%20the%20communities%20that%20rely%20on%20them.%20Thankfully%2C%20they%20listened%20instead%20to%20the%20call%20of%20millions%20of%20citizens%20across%20the%20EU%20that%20say%20%E2%80%98no%20more%E2%80%99%20to%20global%20deforestation.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AA%20delegation%20of%20MEPs%20will%20now%20take%20the%20Parliament%E2%80%99s%20position%20to%20negotiations%20with%20the%20EU%20Member%20States%2C%20who%20agreed%20a%20range%20of%20changes%20in%20the%20EU%20Council%20in%20June%20to%20significantly%20weaken%20key%20elements%20of%20the%20proposed%20law.%0A%0AA%20recent%20poll%20showed%2080%25%20of%20EU%20citizens%20from%20all%20political%20affiliations%20and%20age%20groups%20support%20a%20strong%20EU%20law%20to%20prevent%20companies%20selling%20products%20linked%20to%20the%20destruction%20of%20forests.%0A%0AIndigenous%20rights%0A%0AMany%20of%20these%20problems%20exist%20across%20the%20globe%2C%20however.%20The%20Amazon%20rainforest%2C%20for%20example%2C%20is%20facing%20a%20%E2%80%9Ctipping%20point%20crisis%E2%80%9D%20as%20deforestation%2C%20degradation%20and%20the%20lack%20of%20protection%20for%20indigenous%20people%20look%20set%20to%20threaten%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20ecosystems%20on%20Earth%2C%20according%20to%20a%20new%20report%20warning%20that%20action%20must%20start%20now%20to%20protect%20it.%0A%0AProduced%20by%20scientists%20with%20the%20Amazonian%20Network%20of%20Georeferenced%20Socio-environmental%20Information%20(RAISG)%2C%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20Coordination%20of%20Indigenous%20Organizations%20of%20the%20Amazon%20Basin%20(COICA)%2C%20a%20landmark%20new%20study%20has%20revealed%20that%20deforestation%20and%20degradation%20have%20wrecked%2026%25%20of%20the%20Amazonia%20region.%0A%0AWith%20deforestation%20levels%20in%20the%20region%20reaching%20record%20levels%2C%20the%20new%20research%20calls%20on%20policymakers%20to%20support%20and%20implement%20the%20%E2%80%9C80%C3%9725%E2%80%9D%20goal%20to%20protect%2080%25%20of%20the%20Amazon%20by%202025.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20key%20aspects%20of%20the%2080%C3%9725%20goal%20is%20to%20expand%20indigenous%20rights%20in%20order%20to%20help%20mitigate%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20biodiversity%20collapse.%20Between%202015%20and%202019%2C%20232%20indigenous%20community%20leaders%20were%20killed%20in%20the%20region%20due%20to%20disputes%20over%20land%20and%20natural%20resources%20and%20that%20this%20is%20failing%20to%20be%20reflected%20in%20global%20frameworks.

EU: New measures for anti-deforestation laws

More%20than%2025%20countries%20at%20COP27%20launched%20a%20group%20on%20Monday%20to%20hold%20each%20other%20accountable%20for%20a%20pledge%20to%20end%20deforestation%20by%202030.%20They%20also%20announced%20billions%20of%20dollars%20in%20additional%20financing%20for%20the%20effort.%0A%0AThe%20first%20meeting%20of%20the%20Forest%20and%20Climate%20Leaders'%20Partnership%2C%20chaired%20by%20the%20United%20States%20and%20Ghana%2C%20takes%20place%20a%20year%20after%20more%20than%20140%20leaders%20promised%20at%20COP26%20to%20end%20deforestation%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%0A%0AProgress%20since%20has%20been%20patchy%2C%20with%20only%20a%20few%20countries%20instituting%20more%20aggressive%20policies%20on%20deforestation%20and%20financing.%0A%0AThe%20new%20group%20-%20which%20includes%20Japan%2C%20Pakistan%2C%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20and%20others%20-%20accounts%20for%20roughly%2035%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world's%20forests%20and%20aims%20to%20meet%20twice%20a%20year%20to%20track%20progress.%0A%0ANotable%20omissions%20from%20the%20group%20are%20Brazil%20with%20its%20Amazon%20rainforest%20and%20the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo%20whose%20vast%20forests%20are%20home%20to%20endangered%20wildlife%20including%20gorillas.%0A%0A%22This%20partnership%20is%20a%20critical%20next%20step%20to%20collectively%20deliver%20on%20this%20promise%20and%20help%20keep%20the%20goal%20of%20limiting%20global%20warming%20to%201.5C%20alive%2C%22%20said%20COP26%20President%20Alok%20Sharma%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AThe%20statements%20said%20that%20around%2022%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20%E2%82%AC12%20billion%20in%20public%20money%20pledged%20for%20forests%20by%202025%2C%20funds%20committed%20in%20Glasgow%2C%20had%20so%20far%20been%20disbursed.%0A%0AAmong%20the%20new%20sources%20of%20financing%2C%20Germany%20said%20it%20would%20double%20its%20financing%20for%20forests%20to%20%E2%82%AC2%20billion%20euros%20through%202025.%0A%0AWhat%20did%20countries%20pledge%20at%20COP26%3F%0A%0AAt%20COP26%20in%20Glasgow%20last%20year%2C%20145%20nations%20representing%20more%20than%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world's%20forests%20pledged%20to%20strengthen%20conservation%20efforts.%20%0A%0AThen%20UK%20Prime%20Minister%20Boris%20Johnson%20said%20it%20was%20a%20%22landmark%20agreement%22.%20But%20critics%20at%20the%20time%20said%20the%20pledge%20lacked%20accountability%20and%20wasn't%20backed%20up%20by%20any%20strong%20or%20binding%20commitments.%0A%0ASince%20last%20year%2C%20there%20have%20been%20no%20meetings%20to%20follow%20up%20on%20this%20pledge%20and%20take%20further%20steps.%20%0A%0AOn%20Monday%2C%20the%20UK%20launched%20the%20Forest%20and%20Climate%20Leaders'%20Partnership%20to%20%22ensure%20a%20long-term%20delivery%20mechanism%22%20for%20the%20pledge%20made%20in%20Glasgow.

Countries band together to keep forest promise

The%20world's%20three%20largest%20rainforest%20nations%20Brazil%2C%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo%20and%20Indonesia%20on%20Monday%20formally%20launched%20a%20partnership%20to%20cooperate%20on%20forest%20preservation%20after%20a%20decade%20of%20on-off%20talks%20on%20a%20trilateral%20alliance.%0A%0AReuters%20reported%20in%20August%20that%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%2C%20elected%20as%20Brazil's%20president%20at%20the%20end%20of%20October%2C%20would%20seek%20a%20partnership%20with%20the%20two%20other%20leading%20rainforest%20nations%20to%20pressure%20the%20rich%20world%20to%20finance%20forest%20conservation.%0A%0AThe%20rapid%20destruction%20of%20rainforests%2C%20which%20through%20their%20dense%20vegetation%20serve%20as%20carbon%20sinks%2C%20releases%20planet-warming%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20imperiling%20global%20climate%20targets.%20Regrowing%20previously%20deforested%20jungle%20has%20the%20benefit%20of%20removing%20greenhouse%20gas%20already%20in%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0ARepresentatives%20of%20the%20three%20countries%2C%20which%20represent%2052%25%20of%20the%20world's%20tropical%20rainforest%2C%20signed%20the%20joint%20statement%20at%20the%20talks%20in%20Indonesia%20ahead%20of%20the%20G20%2C%20or%20Group%20of%2020%20industrialised%20nations%2C%20which%20begins%20on%20Tuesday.%0A%0A%22South-to-south%20cooperation%20-%20Brazil%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20DRC%20-%20is%20very%20natural%2C%22%20the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo's%20Environment%20Minister%20Eve%20Bazaiba%20said%20prior%20to%20the%20signing.%0A%0A%22We%20have%20the%20same%20challenges%2C%20the%20same%20opportunity%20to%20be%20the%20solution%20to%20climate%20change.%22%0A%0AIn%20the%20agreement%2C%20the%20alliance%20said%20that%20countries%20should%20be%20paid%20for%20reducing%20deforestation%20and%20maintaining%20forests%20as%20carbon%20sinks.%0A%0AThe%20countries%20will%20also%20work%20to%20negotiate%20%22a%20new%20sustainable%20funding%20mechanism%22%20to%20help%20developing%20countries%20preserve%20their%20biodiversity%2C%20as%20well%20as%20to%20increase%20funding%20through%20the%20United%20Nations'%20REDD%2B%20program%20for%20reducing%20deforestation.%0A%0AThe%20G20%20talks%20coincide%20with%20the%20second%20and%20final%20week%20of%20the%20COP27%20United%20Nations%20climate%20summit%20in%20Egypt%2C%20where%20Lula's%20environmental%20adviser%20Izabella%20Teixeira%20said%20Brazil%20would%20seek%20to%20get%20the%20involvement%20of%20other%20countries%20in%20the%20Amazon%20basin%2C%20which%20spans%20nine%20nations.%0A%0A%22Forests%20matters%2C%20nature%20matters.%20And%20I%20do%20believe%20that%20without%20Amazon%20protection%2C%20we%20cannot%20have%20climate%20security%2C%22%20said%20Teixeira%2C%20who%20was%20environment%20minister%20under%20Lula%20during%20his%20previous%20term%20as%20president%20that%20ended%20in%202010.%0A%0A%22I%20believe%20that%20Brazil%20should%20promote%20that%20other%20countries%20should%20come%20together.%22%0A%0ATalks%20on%20the%20alliance%20to%20protect%20rainforest%20until%20now%20had%20foundered%20due%20to%20%22institutional%20difficulties%2C%22%20Teixeira%20said.%0A%0AThe%20joint%20statement%20cited%20a%20meeting%20of%20the%20three%20countries%20at%20last%20year's%20climate%20summit%20in%20Glasgow%20that%20injected%20momentum%20into%20the%20talks.%0A%0AThey%20have%20reached%20fruition%20in%20the%20final%20weeks%20of%20the%20right-wing%20presidency%20of%20Jair%20Bolsonaro%20before%20Lula%20takes%20office%20Jan.%201.

Rainforest nations join forces to save jungle

The%20European%20Union%20agreed%20on%20Tuesday%20on%20a%20new%20law%20to%20prevent%20companies%20from%20selling%20into%20the%20EU%20market%20coffee%2C%20beef%2C%20soy%20and%20other%20commodities%20linked%20to%20deforestation%20around%20the%20world.%0A%0AThe%20law%20will%20require%20companies%20to%20produce%20a%20due%20diligence%20statement%20showing%20that%20their%20supply%20chains%20are%20not%20contributing%20to%20the%20destruction%20of%20forests%20before%20they%20sell%20goods%20into%20the%20EU%20-%20or%20they%20could%20face%20hefty%20fines.%0A%0A%22I%20hope%20that%20this%20innovative%20regulation%20will%20give%20impetus%20to%20the%20protection%20of%20forests%20around%20the%20globe%20and%20inspire%20other%20countries%20at%20the%20COP15%2C%22%20said%20the%20European%20Parliament's%20lead%20negotiator%2C%20Christophe%20Hansen.%0A%0ADeforestation%20is%20a%20major%20source%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20that%20drive%20climate%20change%20and%20will%20be%20in%20focus%20at%20a%20U.N.%20COP15%20conference%20this%20week%2C%20where%20countries%20will%20seek%20a%20global%20deal%20to%20protect%20nature.%0A%0ANegotiators%20from%20EU%20countries%20and%20the%20European%20Parliament%20struck%20the%20deal%20on%20the%20law%20early%20on%20Tuesday.%0A%0AIt%20will%20apply%20to%20soy%2C%20beef%2C%20palm%20oil%2C%20wood%2C%20cocoa%20and%20coffee%2C%20and%20some%20derived%20products%20including%20leather%2C%20chocolate%20and%20furniture.%20Rubber%2C%20charcoal%20and%20some%20palm%20oil%20derivatives%20were%20included%20at%20the%20request%20of%20EU%20lawmakers.%0A%0ACompanies%20would%20need%20to%20show%20when%20and%20where%20the%20commodities%20were%20produced%20and%20%22verifiable%22%20information%20that%20they%20were%20not%20grown%20on%20land%20deforested%20after%202020.%0A%0AFailure%20to%20comply%20could%20result%20in%20fines%20of%20up%20to%204%25%20of%20a%20company's%20turnover%20in%20an%20EU%20member%20state.%0A%0ACountries%20that%20will%20be%20impacted%20by%20the%20new%20rules%2C%20including%20Brazil%2C%20Indonesia%20and%20Colombia%2C%20say%20they%20are%20burdensome%20and%20costly.%20Supply%20certification%20is%20also%20difficult%20to%20monitor%2C%20especially%20as%20some%20chains%20can%20span%20multiple%20nations.%0A%0AWhile%20campaigners%20welcomed%20the%20law%20as%20%22historic%22%2C%20they%20also%20criticised%20its%20requirement%20for%20companies%20to%20prove%20they%20respected%20the%20rights%20of%20indigenous%20people%20-%20but%20only%20if%20those%20rights%20are%20already%20legally%20protected%20in%20the%20producer%20country.%0A%0A%22The%20EU%20has%20missed%20the%20chance%20to%20signal%20to%20the%20world%20that%20the%20most%20important%20solution%20to%20stopping%20deforestation%20is%20upholding%20indigenous%20rights%2C%22%20said%20Nicole%20Polsterer%20from%20campaign%20group%20Fern.%0A%0AEU%20countries%20and%20the%20European%20parliament%20must%20now%20formally%20approve%20the%20legislation.%20The%20law%20can%20enter%20into%20force%2020%20days%20later%2C%20after%20which%20large%20companies%20have%2018%20months%20to%20comply%2C%20and%20smaller%20firms%2024%20months.%0A%0AEU%20member%20nations%20will%20be%20required%20to%20carry%20out%20compliance%20checks%20covering%209%25%20of%20companies%20exporting%20from%20countries%20with%20a%20high%20risk%20of%20deforestation%2C%203%25%20from%20standard-risk%20countries%20and%201%25%20for%20low-risk%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20said%20it%20would%20work%20with%20affected%20countries%20to%20build%20up%20their%20capacity%20to%20implement%20the%20rules.

New EU legislation to help stop deforestation

Germany%20on%20Monday%20pledged%20200%20million%20euros%20(%24217%20million)%20to%20help%20Brazil%20defend%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest%2C%20a%20global%20ecosystem%20devastated%20during%20years%20of%20rule%20under%20former%20Brazilian%20President%20Jair%20Bolsonaro.%0A%0AThe%20sum%2C%20in%20credits%20and%20donations%2C%20was%20announced%20in%20the%20capital%20Brasilia%20where%20German%20Chancellor%20Olaf%20Scholz%20became%20the%20first%20Western%20leader%20to%20visit%20since%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20was%20sworn%20in%20on%20Jan.%201.%0A%0AThe%20visit%20was%20a%20show%20of%20German%20support%20for%20Brazilian%20democracy%20following%20riots%20by%20supporters%20of%20Bolsonaro%2C%20Lula's%20far-right%20predecessor%2C%20Scholz%20told%20a%20news%20conference.%0A%0AGermany's%20Development%20Minister%20Svenja%20Schulze%20told%20reporters%20the%20German%20government%20recognized%20Brazil's%20new%20leftist%20administration%20was%20working%20hard%20to%20show%20results%20in%20reducing%20deforestation%20in%20its%20first%20100%20days%20in%20office.%0A%0AThe%20sum%20includes%20a%20donation%20of%2035%20million%20euros%20(%2438%20million)%20to%20the%20Amazon%20Fund%20to%20strengthen%20a%20billion-dollar%20initiative%20funded%20by%20Norway%20and%20Germany%20to%20protect%20the%20South%20American%20rainforest%20and%20fight%20deforestation.%0A%0AThe%20Amazon%20Fund%20was%20re-activated%20by%20Brazil's%20Environment%20Minister%20Marina%20Silva%20the%20day%20she%20took%20office%20vowing%20to%20halt%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spot%2Fdeforestation-of-tropical-and-boreal-forests-brazil%2Fdbjpklf0y4w07%22%3Edeforestation%20in%20the%20world's%20largest%20tropical%20rainforest%3C%2Fa%3E.%0A%0AIt%20had%20been%20frozen%20since%202019%2C%20when%20Bolsonaro%20abolished%20its%20governing%20board%20and%20action%20plans.%20As%20president%20Bolsonaro%20said%20Brazilians%20had%20the%20right%20to%20develop%20natural%20resources%20in%20the%20Amazon.%0A%0AThe%20German%20assistance%20includes%20socio-environmental%20projects%20to%20support%20Brazilian%20states%20in%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest%20and%20low-interest%20loans%20to%20farmers%20for%20the%20reforestation%20of%20their%20land%2C%20a%20statement%20issued%20by%20Brazil%20said.%0A%0ASilva%20said%20money%20from%20the%20Amazon%20Fund%20would%20be%20used%20in%20emergencies%20including%20the%20indigenous%20health%20crisis%20in%20northern%20Brazil%2C%20where%20the%20Yanomami%20people%20have%20been%20suffering%20from%20malnutrition%20and%20other%20diseases%20caused%20by%20an%20invasion%20of%20illegal%20gold%20miners.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20no%20doubt%20there%20was%20a%20genocidal%20attitude%20towards%20indigenous%20communities%2C%22%20she%20said%2C%20blaming%20the%20Bolsonaro%20administration%20for%20the%20neglect.%20Lula%20last%20week%20declared%20a%20medical%20emergency%20in%20the%20Yanomami%20territory%2C%20the%20country's%20largest%20indigenous%20reservation.

Germany pledges millions to save Amazon fainforest

French%20President%20Emmanuel%20Macron%20promised%2050%20million%20euros%20(%2452.9%20million)%20to%20a%20new%20global%20scheme%20to%20reward%20countries%20for%20protecting%20their%20forests%20and%20biodiversity%20on%20Thursday%20as%20he%20called%20for%20more%20concrete%20action%20on%20global%20climate%20commitments.%0A%0AThe%20pledge%20was%20announced%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20two-day%20One%20Forest%20Summit%20in%20Gabon%20that%20aimed%20to%20assess%20progress%20made%20since%20last%20year's%20COP27%20climate%20conference%20and%20renew%20targets%20for%20the%20preservation%20and%20sustainable%20management%20of%20the%20world's%20forests.%0A%0A%22We%20understood%20the%20need%20to%20have%20cash%20on%20the%20table%20and%20concrete%20actions%2C%22%20Macron%20said%20in%20a%20speech%20on%20the%20first%20full%20day%20of%20a%20four-nation%20Africa%20tour.%0A%0AThe%20funding%20from%20France%20is%20part%20of%20a%20joint%20100%20million-euro%20commitment%20to%20kickstart%20a%20mechanism%20that%20aims%20to%20reward%20countries%20that%20are%20scientifically%20proven%20to%20have%20protected%20their%20forests%20or%20restored%20them.%0A%0AMacron%20said%20the%20scheme%20would%20be%20underpinned%20by%20research%20to%20improve%20the%20understanding%20of%20forests'%20value%20by%20mapping%20carbon%20reserves%2C%20biodiversity%20and%20levels%20of%20carbon%20sequestration%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%20Africa%20and%20Asia.%0A%0AHow%20Central%20African%20countries%20like%20Gabon%20manage%20their%20share%20of%20the%20world's%20second-largest%20rainforest%20is%20critical.%20The%20so-called%20lungs%20of%20Africa%20store%20more%20carbon%20per%20hectare%20than%20the%20Amazon%2C%20help%20regulate%20temperatures%2C%20and%20generate%20rain%20for%20millions%20in%20the%20arid%20Sahel%20and%20distant%20Ethiopian%20highlands.%0A%0AMacron%20said%20the%20new%20mechanism%20would%20address%20a%20current%20issue%20with%20carbon%20credit%20schemes%20where%20countries%20like%20Gabon%20with%20relatively%20untouched%20forests%20are%20not%20compensated%20as%20well%20as%20deforested%20countries%20that%20are%20planting%20new%20trees.%0A%0A%22It's%20a%20bit%20absurd%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AMacron%20earlier%20visited%20a%20rainforest%20on%20the%20outskirts%20of%20the%20Gabonese%20capital%2C%20where%20he%20strolled%20among%20towering%20trees%20and%20sampled%20a%20kola%20nut.%20He%20has%20said%20he%20wants%20to%20avoid%20politics%20during%20the%20Africa%20tour%2C%20which%20includes%20his%20first-time%20visits%20as%20president%20to%20Angola%2C%20Congo%20Republic%20and%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo.%0A%0AClosing%20the%20summit%2C%20Gabonese%20President%20Ali%20Bongo%20expressed%20satisfaction%20with%20its%20outcome%20and%20the%20outlook%20for%20the%20next%20climate%20conference.%0A%0A%22We%20have%20put%20in%20place%20a%20sound%20plan%20that%20will%20make%20COP28%20the%20success%20we%20wanted%20it%20to%20be.%22

$53 mln for global forest protection scheme

Smoke%20from%20hundreds%20of%20wildfires%20in%20Canada%20has%20reached%20Europe%20today%20after%20blanketing%20the%20eastern%20United%20States%20in%20thick%20smoke%20this%20week.%0A%0AThe%20smoke%20is%20now%20impacting%20Norway%2C%20according%20to%20local%20media%20reports.%0A%0AMore%20than%20400%20fires%20are%20raging%20across%20Canada%20with%20at%20least%20half%20burning%20out%20of%20control.%20Tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20have%20been%20evacuated%20from%20their%20homes.%0A%0AAir%20quality%20has%20improved%20in%20many%20of%20the%20US%20east%20coast%E2%80%99s%20largest%20cities%20including%20New%20York%2C%20Washington%20DC%20and%20Philadelphia%2C%20although%20alerts%20remain%20in%20places.%0A%0ACentral%20and%20southern%20states%20like%20Illinois%2C%20Kansas%2C%20Georgia%20and%20Louisiana%20were%20now%20experiencing%20smoke.%0A%0AThe%20Big%20Apple%20was%20experiencing%20%E2%80%9Cmoderate%E2%80%9D%20air%20quality%2C%20just%20above%20the%20%E2%80%9Csatisfactory%E2%80%9D%20category%20on%20the%20Air%20Quality%20Index%2C%20on%20Friday%20morning.%0A%0ANearly%201%2C000%20firefighters%20arrived%20from%20Australia%2C%20Mexico%2C%20New%20Zealand%2C%20South%20Africa%20and%20the%20US%20to%20assist%20the%20Canadian%20authorities%2C%20with%20some%20200%20more%20expected%20to%20arrive%20from%20France%20and%20the%20US.%0A%0AWestern%20Canada%20has%20been%20repeatedly%20struck%20by%20climate%20change-induced%20extreme%20weather%20events%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20including%20floods%2C%20mudslides%2C%20devastating%20forest%20fires%20that%20wiped%20out%20entire%20towns%2C%20and%20record-breaking%20summer%20temperatures%20that%20claimed%20over%20500%20lives%20in%202021.%0A%0AEarlier%20in%20May%2C%20wildfires%20in%20Alberta%20burned%20nearly%20one%20million%20hectares%20of%20forests%20and%20grasslands%2C%20displacing%2030%2C000%20individuals%20at%20one%20point.%20However%2C%20wildfires%20in%20the%20eastern%20parts%20of%20the%20country%20caused%20more%20alarm%2C%20with%20unprecedented%20wildfires%20in%20Nova%20Scotia's%20Halifax%20prompting%20the%20mandatory%20evacuation%20of%20thousands%20of%20citizens.

Canada wildfire smoke reaches Europe

The%20solar-powered%20robot%20is%20capable%20of%20seeding%20600%20trees%20in%20a%20single%20morning%20and%20could%20drastically%20boost%20reforestation%20efforts%20in%20the%20region.%0A%0AConservationists%20working%20in%20the%20Peruvian%20Amazon%20have%20a%20new%20hi-tech%20tool%20at%20their%20disposal%20in%20the%20battle%20against%20deforestation%20in%20the%20region.%0A%0ANon-profit%20organisation%2C%20Junglekeepers%20International%2C%20has%20teamed%20up%20with%20the%20Swiss-Swedish%20robotics%20company%2C%20ABB%2C%20to%20run%20a%20pilot%20project%20using%20a%20seed-planting%20robot%20in%20the%20rainforest.%0A%0A%22The%20miners%2C%20the%20loggers...%20they%20have%20advanced%20technology.%20They%20can%20destroy%20so%20much%2C%22%20said%20Junglekeepers%20vice-president%2C%20Juan%20Julio%20Durand%20Torres%2C%20who%20is%20a%20former%20illegal%20miner%20and%20logger-turned%20conservationist.%0A%0A%0A%22If%20we%20have%20a%20robot%20here%20to%20help%20plant%20trees%20and%20local%20people%20can%20be%20involved%20and%20learn%20the%20technology%2C%20it'll%20be%20like%20pretty%20much%20battling%20together%2C%22%20Torres%20added.%0A%0AABB%20provided%20the%20conservation%20group%20with%20their%20dual%20arm%2C%20solar-powered%20%E2%80%98YuMi%E2%80%99%20robot%2C%20which%20was%20designed%20initially%20to%20bring%20automation%20to%20a%20variety%20of%20industries.%0A%0AThe%20robot%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20base%20in%20Sweden%2C%2012%2C000km%20away%20via%20solar%20satellite%20wifi.%0A%0A%22Based%20on%20our%20run%20time%20with%20this%20robot%20and%20what%20we've%20learned%20from%20working%20with%20the%20ABB%20people%2C%20we%20can%20plant%20up%20to%20600%20trees%20in%20a%20morning%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mohsin%20Kazmi%2C%20the%20CEO%20of%20Junglekeepers%2C%20explained.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20that%20basically%20would%20amount%20to%20is%20two%20soccer%20fields%20every%20day%20if%20we%20could%20plant%20them%20out%20into%20areas%20for%20reforestation%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AFor%20the%20pilot%20project%2C%20Junglekeepers%20transported%20the%20robot%20up%20the%20Las%20Piedras%20River%20to%20their%20base%20located%20deep%20in%20the%20Peruvian%20jungle%20in%20the%20region%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9CMadre%20de%20Dios%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Kamzi%2C%20the%20addition%20of%20the%20robot%20has%20freed%20up%20conservationists%E2%80%99%20time%20spent%20in%20the%20nurseries%2C%20allowing%20them%20to%20focus%20on%20other%20tasks%20for%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20reforestation%20project%20as%20a%20whole.%0A%0A%22The%20robot%20is%20able%20to%20remove%20soil%20and%20plant%20seeds%20all%20in%20one%20box%2C%2016%20at%20a%20time.%20And%20then%20we%20take%20that%20box%20and%20put%20it%20into%20our%20nursery%20for%20it%20to%20germinate%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20group%20is%20now%20investigating%20whether%20they%20can%20put%20the%20system%20in%20place%20at%20a%20larger%20scale%20in%20other%20Amazon%20communities.%0A%0A%22The%20Amazon%20is%20in%20danger.%20But%20that's%20why%20(with)%20the%20technology%2C%20the%20science%20and%20local%20knowledge%2C%20we%20have%20to%20work%20together%20in%20order%20to%20save%20the%20Amazon%2C%22%20said%20Peru%E2%80%99s%20leading%20expert%20on%20the%20rainforest%2C%20Dennis%20del%20Castillo%20Torres%2C%20programme%20director%20at%20the%20Peruvian%20Amazon%20Research%20Institute%20(IIAP).%0A%0AProtecting%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest%2C%20which%20is%20home%20to%20hundreds%20of%20indigenous%20groups%2C%20is%20considered%20key%20to%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%20because%20of%20the%20vast%20amounts%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20it%20absorbs%20from%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20Amazon%20is%20the%20world's%20largest%20rainforest%2C%20and%20Peru%20has%20the%20second%20largest%20section%20of%20the%20Amazon%20after%20Brazil.%0A%0AGovernment%20data%20from%20Brazil%20shows%20that%20about%20three%20footballfields%E2%80%99%20worth%20of%20virgin%20forest%20was%20cleared%20every%20minute%20in%202022.

Seed-planting robot aids Amazon reforestation

Dove%20partner%20with%20the%20Rimba%20Collective%20in%20efforts%20to%20protect%20and%20restore%20123%2C000%20acres%20of%20rainforest%20in%20South-East%20Asia.%20%20%20%0A%0ADove%20Nature%20Regeneration%20Project%E2%80%AF%E2%80%93%20an%20initiative%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Rimba%20Collective%20will%20help%20protect%20and%20restore%20an%20area%20of%20forest%20eight%20times%20the%20size%20of%20Manhattan%2C%20while%20supporting%20local%20communities%20to%20thrive.%20%0A%0AThe%20project%20was%20made%20possible%20by%20the%E2%80%AFUnilever%20Climate%20%26%20Nature%20Fund.%20Established%20in%202020%2C%20the%20Fund%20is%20a%20commitment%20to%20invest%20%E2%82%AC1%20billion%20over%20ten%20years%20in%20meaningful%20climate%2C%20nature%2C%20and%20resource%20efficiency%20projects%2C%20to%20transform%20the%20way%20Dove%20products%20are%20made%20and%20reach%20end%20of%20life.%20%0A%0ALed%20by%20local%20NGOs%20that%20have%20established%20track%20records%20of%20working%20with%20communities%20in%20forest%20frontier%20areas%2C%20the%20Rimba%20Collective%20will%20provide%20training%20and%20seed%20capital%20to%20promote%20the%20sustainable%20management%20of%20natural%20resources%20in%20the%20regions%20it%20reaches.%20%0A%0AIn%20doing%20so%2C%20it%20aims%20to%20improve%20the%20livelihoods%20of%208%2C000%20local%20people%2C%20through%20job%20creation%20and%20increased%20access%20to%20education%2C%20healthcare%2C%20clean%20water%20and%20sanitation.%20%0A%0AThe%20project%20will%20also%20support%20livelihoods%20based%20on%20forest-friendly%20commodities%20by%20improving%20productivity%2C%20enhancing%20product%20quality%20and%20providing%20better%20market%20access%20for%20local%20communities.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAt%20Dove%2C%20we%20believe%20beauty%20should%20make%20our%20world%20more%20beautiful%2C%20not%20less.%20But%20the%20beauty%20of%20nature%20is%20under%20attack%2C%20and%20climate%20change%20remains%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20threats%20we%20face.%20As%20a%20global%20brand%20used%20by%20millions%2C%20our%20scale%20demands%20that%20we%20act%20urgently%20to%20protect%20nature%20%E2%80%93%20and%20play%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20the%20effort%20to%20stop%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20explains%20Firdaous%20El%20Honsali%2C%20Dove%20Global%20Vice%20President%2C%20External%20Communications%20and%20Sustainability.

Dove to restore 123,000 acres of rainforest

The%20eight%20Amazon%20nations%20have%20agreed%20to%20%22advance%20a%20new%20common%20agenda%22%20to%20tackle%20deforestation%20in%20the%20region%2C%20promote%20sustainable%20development%2C%20support%20Indigenous%20People's%20rights%2C%20and%20take%20%22urgent%20action%20to%20avoid%20the%20point%20of%20no%20return%22%20for%20the%20world's%20largest%20rainforest.%0A%0AAt%20a%20two-day%20summit%20held%20in%20the%20Brazilian%20city%20of%20Bel%C3%A9m%2C%20the%20host%20country%20joined%20with%20Bolivia%2C%20Colombia%2C%20Ecuador%2C%20Guyana%2C%20Peru%2C%20Suriname%2C%20and%20Venezuela%20to%20sign%20a%20joint%20declaration%20setting%20out%20joint%20priorities%20for%20their%20efforts%20to%20conserve%20the%20rainforest.%0A%0AThe%20Bel%C3%A9m%20Declaration%20sets%20out%20plans%20to%20create%20a%20new%20alliance%20between%20the%20eight%20nations%20focused%20on%20the%20Amazon%20region%2C%20while%20nations%20also%20agreed%20to%20establish%20a%20new%20scientific%20body%20to%20conduct%20research%20and%20report%20annually%20on%20the%20state%20of%20the%20rainforest.%0A%0AIn%20addition%2C%20the%20Declaration%20promises%20closer%20cooperation%20between%20governments%20on%20other%20shared%20environmental%20priorities%2C%20such%20as%20water%20management%2C%20tackling%20cross-border%20environmental%20crimes%2C%20and%20joint%20negotiating%20positions%20for%20future%20global%20climate%20summits%2C%20including%20the%20COP28%20Climate%20Summit%20later%20this%20year%20in%20the%20United%20Arab%20Emirates%20(UAE).%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20countries%20failed%20to%20agree%20a%20single%2C%20joint%20target%20for%20tackling%20deforestation%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%20with%20each%20country%20instead%20given%20room%20to%20establish%20its%20own%20national%20goals%20for%20reducing%20deforestation%20within%20their%20borders.%0A%0AInstead%2C%20the%20Declaration%20emphasised%20the%20urgent%20need%20for%20nations%20to%20agree%20on%20common%20goals%20for%20the%20Amazon%20region%20by%202030%20so%20as%20%22to%20fight%20deforestation%2C%20halt%20the%20advance%20of%20illegal%20natural%20resources%20extraction%20activities%2C%20and%20promote%20the%20approaches%20to%20land-use%20planning%20and%20transition%20to%20sustainable%20models%20with%20the%20ideal%20of%20reaching%20zero%20deforestation%20in%20the%20Region%22.%0A%0AThe%20summit%20marked%20the%20first%20meeting%20in%2014%20years%20of%20the%20Amazon%20Cooperation%20Treaty%20Organisation%20(ACTO).%0A%0AAlexandra%20Moreira%2C%20secretary%20general%20at%20ACTO%2C%20hailed%20the%20vision%20set%20out%20in%20the%20Declaration%2C%20but%20conceded%20that%20delivering%20on%20its%20ambitions%20would%20be%20a%20challenge%20that%20required%20urgent%20action%20from%20all%20Amazon%20countries.%0A%0A%22This%20Declaration%20with%20new%20guidelines%20not%20only%20gives%20impetus%20to%20ACTO%2C%20but%20also%20to%20each%20of%20the%20governments%20of%20the%20countries%20to%20strengthen%20themselves%20at%20the%20national%20level%2C%20respecting%20their%20Amazonian%20territories%2C%20especially%20in%20border%20areas%2C%20revitalising%20the%20bi-%20and%20tri-national%20cooperation%20agendas%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22I%20want%20to%20express%20our%20gratitude%20for%20the%20proposal%20to%20attend%20ACTO%20to%20reinforce%2C%20strengthen%20and%20modernise%20the%20institution%20and%20governance.%22%0A%0ABrazil's%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20-%20widely%20known%20as%20Lula%20-%20had%20used%20the%20summit%20to%20push%20for%20a%20joint%20pact%20to%20end%20Amazon%20deforestation%20by%202030%20in%20line%20with%20the%20goal%20agreed%20by%20his%20government%20in%20Brazil.%20But%20he%20failed%20to%20secure%20agreement%20from%20all%20nations%2C%20after%20reportedly%20facing%20pushback%20from%20Bolivia%20and%20Venezuela.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20Columbia's%20President%20Gustavo%20Petro%20also%20failed%20to%20coral%20ACTA%20nations%20into%20agreeing%20to%20ending%20oil%20and%20gas%20exploration%20and%20development%20in%20the%20rainforest%20amid%20opposition%20from%20Brazil%2C%20which%20is%20hoping%20to%20begin%20exploring%20the%20potential%20for%20oil%20production%20near%20the%20Amazon%20basin.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20Lula%20has%20made%20tackling%20Amazon%20destruction%20a%20major%20plank%20of%20his%20Presidency%20since%20taking%20office%20in%20January%2C%20after%20deforestation%20rates%20soared%20under%20his%20predecessor%20Jair%20Bolsonaro%2C%20who%20sought%20to%20favour%20development%20over%20conservation%20during%20his%20tumultuous%20period%20in%20power.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20first%20six%20months%20of%20Lula's%20presidency%2C%20deforestation%20of%20the%20Brazilian%20Amazon%20-%20which%20makes%20up%20around%2060%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20rainforest%20-%20has%20plummeted%20by%20almost%20a%20third.%20But%20the%20region%20still%20continues%20to%20lose%20thousands%20of%20kilometres%20of%20tree%20cover%20every%20year%2C%20with%20both%20legal%20and%20illegal%20forest%20clearances%20remaining%20widespread.%0A%0AIn%20his%20speech%20at%20the%20Summit%20yesterday%2C%20Lula%20vowed%20to%20end%20the%20%22plundering%22%20of%20the%20rainforest%20that%20characterised%20the%20four%20%22disastrous%20years%22%20of%20his%20predecessor's%20presidency.%0A%0A%22The%20rainforest%20is%20neither%20a%20void%20that%20needs%20occupying%20nor%20a%20treasure%20trove%20to%20be%20looted%20-%20it%20is%20a%20flowerbed%20of%20possibilities%20that%20must%20be%20cultivated%2C%22%20he%20told%20the%20audience.%0A%0A%22The%20Amazon%20can%20be%20whatever%20we%20want%20it%20to%20be%3A%20an%20Amazon%20with%20greener%20cities%2C%20with%20cleaner%20air%2C%20with%20mercury-free%20rivers%20and%20forests%20that%20are%20left%20standing%3B%20an%20Amazon%20with%20food%20on%20the%20table%2C%20dignified%20jobs%20and%20public%20services%20that%20are%20available%20to%20all%3B%20an%20Amazon%20with%20healthier%20children%2C%20well-received%20migrants%20%5Band%5D%20Indigenous%20people%20who%20are%20respected%20%E2%80%A6%20This%20is%20our%20Amazon%20dream.%22%0A%0AProtection%20of%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest%20is%20regarded%20as%20critical%20for%20the%20planet's%20climate%2C%20with%20the%20region%20comprising%20a%20vast%20natural%20carbon%20store%20and%20representing%20one%20of%20the%20Earth's%20most%20biodiverse%20habitats.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20scientists%20have%20warned%20that%20destruction%20of%20the%20rainforest%20is%20nearing%20a%20tipping%20point%20which%20could%20lead%20to%20mass%20die-off%20of%20trees%20and%20turn%20the%20region%20into%20a%20sparsely%20forested%20savannah%20that%20would%20release%20vast%20amounts%20of%20CO2%20into%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20accelerate%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20impact%20global%20weather%20patterns.%0A%0AThe%20new%20accord%20follows%20the%20Glasgow%20Leaders%20Declaration%20on%20Forests%20and%20Land%20Use%20at%20the%20COP26%20Climate%20Summit%20in%20Glasgow%20two%20years%20ago%2C%20which%20saw%20around%20100%20nations%20sign%20up%20to%20a%20pledge%20to%20halt%20and%20reverse%20forest%20loss%20and%20land%20degradation%20by%202030%20-%20ambitions%20which%20remain%20far%20off%20track%20for%20being%20achieved.%0A%0AThe%20two-day%20OCTA%20summit%20this%20week%20is%20therefore%20widely%20seen%20as%20a%20critical%20launchpad%20for%20Amazon%20countries%20to%20forge%20closer%20cooperation%20ahead%20of%20COP28%20later%20this%20year%2C%20as%20well%20as%20for%20COP29%20Summit%2C%20which%20is%20also%20expected%20to%20be%20held%20in%20Bel%C3%A9m%20in%202025%20when%20Brazil%20is%20set%20to%20host%20the%20annual%20UN%20Climate%20Summit.%0A%0AAdriana%20Lobo%2C%20managing%20director%20for%20global%20presence%20and%20national%20action%20at%20the%20World%20Resources%20Institute%20(WRI)%2C%20said%20the%20outcome%20of%20this%20week's%20summit%20provided%20%22global%20momentum%20towards%20a%20more%20sustainable%20economy%22.%0A%0AThe%20WRI%20had%20earlier%20this%20year%20produced%20a%20study%20showing%20that%20effective%20policy%20interventions%20could%20end%20deforestation%20in%20the%20Brazilian%20Amazon%20without%20curbing%20development.%0A%0A%22Countries%20put%20forward%20the%20right%20ideas%20and%20principles%20to%20turn%20the%20tide%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22They%20recognised%20the%20need%20to%20avoid%20the%20Amazon%20tipping%20point%20through%20collective%20action%20-%20by%20expanding%20forest%20restoration%20and%20the%20bioeconomy%20to%20sustainably%20produce%20goods%2C%20shifting%20to%20low-carbon%20agriculture%2C%20and%20deploying%20clean%20energy.%0A%0A%22The%20Belem%20Declaration%20is%20a%20great%20first%20step.%20Now%20Amazon%20countries%20need%20to%20act%20on%20these%20ideas%20%E2%80%94%20by%20putting%20forth%20a%20plan%20with%20specific%20actions%2C%20policies%2C%20and%20milestones.%20And%20a%20strategy%20to%20attract%20financing%20to%20make%20it%20a%20reality.%22

8 nations launch alliance to fight deforestation

A%20wildfire%20burning%20in%20northeastern%20Greece%20for%2011%20days%20has%20destroyed%20an%20area%20larger%20than%20New%20York%20City%2C%20the%20European%20Union-backed%20Copernicus%20Climate%20Change%20Service%20said%20on%20Tuesday.%0A%0AFuelled%20by%20gale%20force%20winds%20and%20hot%20weather%2C%20the%20fire%20that%20began%20near%20the%20city%20of%20Alexandroupolis%20quickly%20spread%20across%20the%20Evros%20region%2C%20killing%20at%20least%2020%20people%20last%20week%20in%20Europe's%20deadliest%20blaze%20this%20summer.%20It%20turned%20swathes%20of%20lush%20greenery%20into%20scorched%20earth%20and%20destroyed%20homes%20and%20livelihoods.%0A%0AIn%20a%20post%20on%20social%20media%20platform%20X%2C%20formerly%20known%20as%20Twitter%2C%20the%20Copernicus%20Emergency%20Management%20Service%20said%20the%20fire%20had%20ravaged%20at%20least%20808.7%20square%20kilometres%20(312.2%20square%20miles).%20New%20York%20City%20takes%20up%20778.2%20square%20kilometres%20(300.5%20square%20miles).%0A%0ACopernicus%20said%20last%20week%20that%20the%20fire%20was%20the%20largest%20on%20European%20soil%20in%20years.%0A%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22news-block-with-image%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22me-3%20mb-3%22%3EAll%20but%20one%20of%20the%20dead%20are%20presumed%20to%20have%20been%20irregular%20migrants%20who%20crossed%20over%20from%20Turkey%2C%20evading%20police%20in%20the%20forest.%20Authorities%20fear%20more%20bodies%20may%20be%20found%20when%20the%20flames%20are%20put%20out%2C%20as%20Evros%20is%20a%20popular%20crossing%20into%20the%20EU%20for%20thousands%20of%20migrants%20and%20refugees%20each%20year.%0A%0AAircraft%20and%20hundreds%20of%20firefighters%20on%20the%20ground%2C%20including%20from%20Serbia%2C%20Slovakia%2C%20the%20Czech%20Republic%20and%20Albania%20were%20battling%20the%20flames%2C%20the%20fire%20brigade%20said.%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cfigure%3E%3Cimg%20class%3D%22img-fluid%22%20%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTdudLs9cz8taTqJ2oO8-ZRlFAZ2QGsJThJEvJ3h8veoFrQo2TXdgW0_MCVzqL8EGNSxPE%26usqp%3DCAU%22%2F%3E%0A%20%3Cfigcaption%20class%3D%22news-figcaption%22%3EAuthorities%20warned%20that%20risks%20from%20the%20fire%20remained%20high%20on%20Tuesday%3C%2Ffigcaption%3E%3C%2Ffigure%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%3Cspan%3ESummer%20wildfires%20are%20common%20in%20Greece%20but%20the%20government%20says%20extreme%20weather%20conditions%20which%20scientists%20link%20to%20climate%20change%20have%20made%20them%20worse%20this%20year.%20Greece's%20deadliest%20fire%20on%20record%20killed%20104%20people%20outside%20Athens%20in%202018.%3Cspan%3E%0ARead%20more%20about%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Fforest%2520fire%2FGreece%22%3EForestfire%20hot%20spots%20in%20Greece%20%3C%2Fa%3E

Greece wildfire scorches area bigger than New York

Deforestation%20in%20Brazil's%20Amazon%20fell%2066.11%25%20in%20August%20to%20its%20lowest%20level%20for%20the%20month%20since%202018%2C%20Environment%20Minister%20Marina%20Silva%20said%20on%20Tuesday%2C%20in%20a%20significant%20mark%20for%20its%20environmental%20policy%20as%20destruction%20often%20spikes%20this%20time%20of%20year.%0A%0ASatellite%20data%20from%20Brazilian%20space%20research%20agency%20INPE%20indicated%20that%20563%20square%20km%20(217.38%20square%20miles)%20of%20rainforest%20were%20cleared%20in%20the%20month%2C%20a%2066.1%25%20drop%20from%20the%20same%20period%20a%20year%20ago.%0A%0AIn%20the%20first%20eight%20months%20of%20the%20year%2C%20INPE's%20figures%20showed%2C%20deforestation%20has%20fallen%20a%20cumulative%2048%25%20from%20the%20same%20period%20of%202022.%0A%0AThe%20data%20give%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20reasons%20to%20cheer%20as%20he%20has%20promised%20to%20end%20deforestation%20in%20the%20region%20by%202030%20after%20destruction%20surged%20under%20his%20predecessor%2C%20Jair%20Bolsonaro%2C%20who%20slashed%20environmental%20protection%20efforts.%0A%0AEarlier%2C%20Lula%20celebrated%20the%20decline%2C%20saying%20on%20social%20media%20that%20it%20is%20a%20%22result%20of%20the%20great%20work%20of%20the%20Environment%20Ministry%20and%20the%20federal%20government.%22%0A%0ASome%20experts%20feared%20the%20significant%20drop%20of%20more%20than%2040%25%20in%20deforestation%20seen%20in%20the%20first%20seven%20months%20of%20Lula's%20administration%20could%20have%20been%20put%20at%20risk%20by%20higher%20destruction%20in%20August%20and%20September%2C%20when%20the%20weather%20turns%20drier.%0A%0AInitial%20signs%2C%20however%2C%20are%20that%20those%20concerns%20did%20not%20materialize.%0A%0A%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spot%2Fdeforestation-of-tropical-and-boreal-forests-brazil%2Fdbjpklf0y4w07%22%3EDeforestation%20in%20the%20Amazon%3C%2Fa%3E%20causes%20the%20loss%20of%20many%20species%20and%20their%20habitats%2C%20negatively%20impacts%20indigenous%20people%20and%20their%20health%2C%20causes%20fire%2C%20an%20increase%20in%20CO2%20emission%2C%20soil%20erosion%2C%20flooding%2C%20desertification%2C%20pollution%20of%20rivers%20and%20lands%2C%20and%20negatively%20alters%20water%20cycle%20around%20the%20world.%0A%0ABrazil%20last%20month%20hosted%20a%20major%20rainforest%20summit%2C%20where%20eight%20Amazon%20nations%20agreed%20to%20a%20list%20of%20unified%20environmental%20policies%20and%20measures%20to%20bolster%20regional%20cooperation%20but%20failed%20to%20agree%20on%20a%20common%20goal%20for%20ending%20deforestation.%0A%0ALula%20has%20staked%20his%20international%20reputation%20on%20improving%20Brazil's%20environmental%20standing.%0A%0AOn%20Tuesday%2C%20he%20signed%20the%20demarcation%20of%20two%20new%20Indigenous%20lands%20-%20part%20of%20his%20efforts%20to%20reverse%20some%20policies%20put%20in%20place%20by%20Bolsonaro%2C%20who%20halted%20land%20recognition%20while%20in%20office.%0A%0AThe%20recognition%20of%20the%20two%20Indigenous%20reservations%20grants%20them%20legal%20protection%20against%20invasions%20by%20illegal%20loggers%2C%20gold%20miners%20and%20cattle%20ranchers.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20experiencing%20a%20new%20moment%2C%20with%20more%20assertive%20policies%20and%20greater%20political%20will%20in%20favor%20of%20the%20Amazon%2C%22%20WWF-Brasil's%20director%2C%20Mariana%20Napolitano%2C%20said.%0A%0ABut%20more%20is%20still%20needed%2C%20including%20traceability%20and%20transparency%20in%20the%20trade%20of%20livestock%2C%20gold%20and%20other%20commodities%2C%20she%20added.

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls 66%

Australia's%20most%20populous%20state%20announced%20Tuesday%20a%20logging%20ban%20in%20a%20forest%20haven%20for%20koalas%2C%20aiming%20to%20protect%20the%20local%20population%20from%20being%20wiped%20out.%0A%0ALogging%20has%20been%20halted%20in%208%2C400%20hectares%20(21%2C000%20acres)%20of%20forest%2C%20home%20to%20106%20%22koala%20hubs%22%20that%20are%20highly%20populated%20by%20the%20marsupials%2C%20the%20New%20South%20Wales%20government%20said.%0A%0AThe%20koala-rich%20area%20would%20form%20a%20key%20part%20of%20a%20planned%20315%2C000-hectare%20Great%20Koala%20National%20Park%20on%20the%20mid-north%20coast%20and%20%22save%20koalas%20from%20extinction%20in%20the%20state%22%2C%20it%20said.%0A%0AThe%20move%20was%20a%20%22historic%20step%20forward%22%2C%20said%20Nature%20Conservation%20Council%20acting%20chief%20executive%20Brad%20Smith%2C%20describing%20the%20area%20as%20%22the%20most%20important%20koala%20habitat%20in%20the%20world%22.%0A%0A%22This%20decision%20is%20also%20a%20recognition%20that%20logging%20has%20a%20devastating%20impact%20on%20koalas%20and%20biodiversity%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AWWF-Australia%20spokesman%20Dr.%20Stuart%20Blanch%20said%20koala%20numbers%20in%20NSW%20had%20suffered%20a%20dramatic%20decline%2C%20falling%20by%20more%20than%2050%20percent%20between%202000%20and%202020%20due%20to%20deforestation%2C%20drought%20and%20bushfires.%0A%0AThe%20government's%20move%20%22is%20a%20chance%20to%20turn%20this%20tragedy%20around%22%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0A%22If%20we're%20going%20to%20save%20koalas%20from%20extinction%20this%20century%2C%20then%20we%20need%20massive%20new%20protected%20areas%20covering%20millions%20of%20hectares%20of%20forests.%22%0A%0ABut%20Greens%20spokesperson%20for%20the%20environment%20Sue%20Higginson%20criticized%20the%20move%20as%20%22a%20gift%20to%20the%20timber%20industry%22.%0A%0AShe%20said%2058%20percent%20of%20the%20proposed%20park%20area's%20koala%20population%20would%20be%20left%20unprotected%20by%20the%20logging%20ban%2C%20adding%3A%20%22Logging%20is%20likely%20to%20continue%20throughout%20the%20area%20of%20the%20Great%20Koala%20National%20Park%20through%20to%202025%20due%20to%20the%20long%20reporting%20timeline%20that%20the%20government%20has%20set%20for%20itself.%0A%0A%22The%20government%20needs%20to%20do%20the%20work%20now%20to%20begin%20the%20transition%20of%20the%20public%20native%20forest%20industry%20before%20it's%20too%20late%20for%20koalas%20and%20too%20late%20for%20the%20other%20previous%20forest-dependent%20species.%22%0A%0AThe%20state%20government%20said%20it%20would%20soon%20begin%20consultations%20with%20state-owned%20logging%20agency%20Forestry%20Corporation%20NSW%20to%20%22determine%20timber%20supply%20options%22.

Australia logging ban to create koala haven

Brazil%20is%20preparing%20to%20launch%20a%20center%20for%20international%20police%20cooperation%20to%20combat%20environmental%20crimes%20and%20drug%20trafficking%20in%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest%20by%20the%20end%20of%202023%2C%20Federal%20Police%20officials%20told%20Reuters.%0A%0AThe%20center%2C%20agreed%20upon%20at%20the%20summit%20of%20Amazon%20nations%20in%20August%2C%20will%20bring%20together%20police%20authorities%20from%20the%20eight%20countries%20of%20the%20Amazon%20Cooperation%20Treaty%20Organization%20(ACTO).%0A%0AUniting%20the%20Amazon%20countries%20against%20criminal%20activity%20in%20the%20world's%20largest%20rainforest%20is%20key%20to%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva's%20effort%20to%20restore%20Brazil's%20environmental%20credentials%20after%20four%20years%20of%20soaring%20deforestation%20under%20predecessor%20Jair%20Bolsonaro.%0A%0AImplementing%20the%20initiative%20will%20cost%20the%20Brazilian%20government%209%20million%20reais%20(%241.83%20million)%2C%20and%20its%20annual%20budget%20will%20be%207%20million%20reais%2C%20said%20Valdecy%20Urquiza%2C%20head%20of%20the%20Federal%20Police's%20international%20cooperation%20directorate.%0A%0AThe%20center%20will%20guarantee%20coordinated%20action%20by%20police%20in%20the%20Amazon%20countries%20with%20%22much%20more%20efficient%20results%22%20to%20combat%20a%20series%20of%20crimes%2C%20such%20as%20deforestation%20and%20the%20smuggling%20of%20gold%2C%20timber%20and%20wild%20animals.%0A%0A%22We%20expect%20to%20see%20a%20significant%20reduction%20in%20environmental%20crimes%20in%20the%20area%20and%20also%20action%20involving%20the%20entire%20Amazon%20region%20and%20not%20just%20a%20few%20isolated%20countries%2C%22%20Urquiza%20said.%0A%0AThe%20fight%20against%20drug%20trafficking%20will%20also%20be%20one%20of%20the%20center's%20focuses%2C%20providing%20authorities%20with%20intelligence%20for%20cross-border%20investigations%2C%20said%20Humberto%20Freire%2C%20head%20of%20the%20Amazon%20and%20environmental%20crimes%20of%20the%20Federal%20Police.%0A%0A%22There's%20no%20point%20in%20operating%20only%20in%20Brazil%2C%22%20he%20said%2C%20adding%20that%20criminals%20in%20the%20region%20move%20around%20the%20countries%20of%20the%20rainforest%20to%20evade%20authorities.%0A%0ABolivia%2C%20Colombia%2C%20Ecuador%2C%20Guyana%2C%20Peru%2C%20Suriname%20and%20Venezuela%20will%20also%20have%20representatives%20in%20the%20center%2C%20which%20plans%20to%20start%20operations%20by%20December.%0A%0AUrquiza%20said%20the%20unit%20could%20also%20support%20efforts%20by%20European%20and%20U.S.%20authorities%2C%20as%20those%20are%20the%20main%20destinations%20for%20illegal%20goods%20and%20products%20from%20the%20Amazon.%0A%0A%22As%20long%20as%20there%20is%20a%20consumer%20market%20for%20this%20illegal%20material%2C%20there%20will%20be%20pressure%20for%20this%20type%20of%20crime%20here%20in%20the%20region%2C%22%20said%20Urquiza.%0A%0APolice%20organizations%20such%20as%20Interpol%2C%20Europol%20and%20Ameripol%20will%20also%20be%20invited%20to%20join%20the%20center%2C%20Freire%20said.

Amazon rainforest international security hub 

Countries%20that%20are%20home%20to%20the%20world's%20three%20major%20rainforests%20agreed%20on%20Saturday%20to%20cooperate%20to%20overcome%20deforestation%20and%20safeguard%20biodiversity%20but%20fell%20short%20of%20a%20concrete%20alliance%20to%20protect%20the%20vital%20carbon%20sinks.%0A%0AThe%20announcement%20came%20on%20the%20final%20day%20of%20the%20Congo%20Republic-hosted%20Three%20Basins%20summit%2C%20which%20brought%20together%20presidents%2C%20NGOs%2C%20technical%20experts%2C%20and%20finance%20sector%20officials%20to%20strengthen%20governance%20and%20preservation%20of%20the%20Amazon%2C%20the%20Congo%20basin%2C%20and%20forests%20in%20Southeast%20Asia.%0A%0AThe%20countries%20recognised%20the%20importance%20of%20cooperation%20and%20agreed%20to%20develop%20ways%20to%20protect%20the%20forests%20in%20a%20seven-point%20plan.%0A%0A%22We've%20realised%20that%20joining%20forces%20is%20an%20absolute%20necessity%2C%20and%20we've%20recognised%20that%20the%20initiative%20to%20unite%20the%20three%20basins%20is%20part%20of%20an%20inevitable%20dynamic%2C%22%20said%20Republic%20of%20Congo%20environment%20minister%20Arlette%20Soudan%20Nonault.%0A%0AThere%20is%20an%20urgent%20need%20for%20action.%20The%20basins%20are%20home%20to%20two%20thirds%20of%20Earth's%20biodiversity%2C%20but%20rapid%20destruction%20is%20releasing%20planet-warming%20carbon%20dioxide%20and%20imperilling%20global%20climate%20targets.%0A%0ADeforestation%20increased%204%25%20worldwide%20in%202022%2C%20according%20to%20an%20October%20report%20showing%20countries%20went%20further%20off%20track%20from%20pledges%20made%20at%20the%202021%20U.N.%20climate%20talks%20to%20halt%20and%20reverse%20loss%20and%20degradation%20by%202030.%0A%0AOver%20the%20three%20days%20of%20the%20summit%20in%20Brazzaville%2C%20experts%20and%20policymakers%20from%20countries%20with%20tropical%20forests%20discussed%20shared%20priorities%20ahead%20of%20the%20U.N.%20COP28%20climate%20talks%20next%20month.%20They%20examined%20different%20funding%20mechanisms%20to%20help%20developing%20countries%20preserve%20their%20important%20ecosystems.%0A%0AOn%20the%20sidelines%2C%20Congo%20Republic%20signed%20a%20roadmap%20for%20a%20forest%20partnership%20with%20the%20European%20Union%20that%20aims%20by%202030%20to%20increase%20the%20amount%20of%20its%20protected%2C%20restored%20or%20sustainably%20managed%20forests%2C%20create%20more%20forest-related%20jobs%2C%20and%20curb%20the%20rate%20of%20forest%20loss.%0A%0AEnvironmental%20organisations%20said%20governments%20must%20go%20further%20than%20Saturday's%20agreement.%0A%0A%22More%20efforts%20will%20be%20needed%20to%20enhance%20concrete%20collaboration%20between%20the%20three%20regions%20to%20foster%20real%20action%20to%20halt%20deforestation%2C%22%20the%20World%20Wildlife%20Fund%20said%20in%20a%20statement.

Countries of Major Rainforests Agree Work Together

Brazil's%20National%20Development%20Bank%20(BNDES)%20has%20approved%20318%20million%20reais%20(%2465%20million)%20from%20the%20%241.3%20billion%20Amazon%20Fund%20to%20set%20up%20a%20security%20project%20fighting%20deforestation%20and%20other%20environmental%20crimes%20in%20the%20rainforest%2C%20a%20senior%20official%20said.%0A%0AIt%20represents%20the%20first%20major%20law%20enforcement%20effort%20by%20the%20Amazon%20Fund%2C%20backed%20by%20four%20nations%20and%20managed%20by%20the%20BNDES%2C%20which%20agreed%20last%20month%20to%20back%20the%20project%20designed%20by%20the%20justice%20ministry%20and%20run%20by%20Brazil's%20Federal%20Police.%0A%0ABrazil's%20government%20has%20reduced%20deforestation%20significantly%20this%20year%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%20which%20is%20vital%20to%20slowing%20global%20warming%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%2C%20but%20illegal%20loggers%20and%20miners%20still%20threaten%20the%20rainforest%20with%20impunity.%0A%0ABrazil%20has%20also%20stepped%20up%20international%20cooperation%20with%20its%20South%20American%20neighbors%20to%20combat%20crime%20along%20the%20vast%20border%20areas%20where%20smugglers%20and%20drug%20traffickers%20operate.%0A%0A%22Without%20us%20all%20having%20the%20same%20purpose%2C%20integrated%2C%20sharing%20information%20and%20intelligence%20and%20acting%20together%20to%20strengthen%20the%20fight%20against%20environmental%20crimes%2C%20we%20will%20not%20move%20forward%2C%22%20said%20Humberto%20Freire%2C%20the%20Federal%20Police's%20director%20for%20the%20Amazon%20and%20environmental%20crime.%0A%0AFreire%2C%20who%20will%20attend%20the%20upcoming%20United%20Nations%20Climate%20Change%20Conference%20COP28%20in%20Dubai%2C%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20on%20Tuesday%20that%20it%20was%20time%20to%20go%20beyond%20speeches%20to%20actions%20in%20the%20Amazon%2C%20which%20requires%20funding.%0A%0AThe%20initial%20resources%20from%20the%20Amazon%20Fund%20will%20go%20to%20buying%20helicopters%20and%20other%20essential%20equipment%20while%20setting%20up%20an%20International%20Police%20Cooperation%20Center%20in%20Manaus%20by%20early%20next%20year%20to%20liaise%20with%20authorities%20in%20neighboring%20countries%2C%20Freire%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Amazon%20Fund%20will%20make%20the%20first%20disbursement%20in%20the%20coming%20days%20for%20the%20law%20enforcement%20project%20budgeted%20at%202%20billion%20reais%20over%20the%20next%20couple%20of%20years%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0ASet%20up%20in%202008%20to%20promote%20the%20preservation%20and%20sustainable%20use%20of%20the%20rainforest%2C%20the%20Amazon%20Fund%20received%20initial%20donations%20from%20Norway%20(%241.2%20billion)%20and%20Germany%20(%2489%20million).%20State-run%20oil%20company%20Petrobras%20(PETR4.SA)%20donated%20%247.7%20million.%20Switzerland%20committed%20%245.6%20million%2C%20and%20the%20United%20States%20%243%20million.%0A%0ASince%20taking%20office%20in%20January%2C%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20has%20made%20good%20on%20a%20pledge%20to%20rein%20in%20the%20destruction%20of%20the%20Amazon%20under%20his%20far-right%20predecessor%2C%20Jair%20Bolsonaro.%0A%0ADeforestation%20has%20fallen%20by%20roughly%20half%20this%20year%20to%20the%20lowest%20rate%20since%202018%2C%20but%20remains%20nearly%20twice%20that%20of%20a%20record%20low%20in%202012%20and%20far%20from%20Lula's%20pledge%20of%20zero%20deforestation%20by%202030.

Brazil allocated $65 million for Amazon oversight

The%20European%20Commission%20on%20Wednesday%20proposed%20a%20forest%20monitoring%20system%20that%20will%20use%20satellites%20to%20track%20threats%20such%20as%20climate%20change-fuelled%20wildfires%20and%20illegal%20logging.%0A%0AClimate%20change%20is%20taking%20a%20mounting%20toll%20on%20Europe's%20forests%2C%20as%20extreme%20heat%20and%20drought%20increase%20the%20risk%20of%20deadly%20wildfires.%20Nearly%20900%2C000%20hectares%20of%20EU%20land%20was%20burned%20in%20forest%20fires%20last%20year%2C%20an%20area%20roughly%20the%20size%20of%20Corsica%2C%20EU%20data%20show.%0A%0AThe%20degradation%20of%20Europe's%20forests%20spells%20trouble%20since%20their%20CO2-storing%20capacity%20is%20needed%20to%20meet%20climate%20targets%20and%20protect%20surrounding%20areas%20from%20flooding.%0A%0AOn%20Wednesday%2C%20the%20Commission%20proposed%20a%20law%20that%20would%20see%20Brussels%20collect%20forest%20data%20from%20the%20EU's%20Copernicus%20Sentinel%20satellites.%20EU%20member%20states%20would%20also%20be%20obliged%20to%20gather%20ground%20measurements%20of%20trends%20including%20the%20areas%20available%20for%20logging%2C%20the%20volume%20of%20trees%20and%20the%20location%20of%20ancient%20forests.%0A%0A%22We%20need%20to%20see%20the%20trends%2C%20need%20to%20predict%20better%2C%20we%20need%20to%20see%20how%20they%20are%20responding%20to%20climate%20change%2C%22%20EU%20Environment%20Commissioner%20Virginijus%20Sinkevicius%20told%20Reuters.%0A%0A%22At%20this%20moment%20there%20are%20no%20comprehensive%20monitoring%20requirements%20to%20provide%20an%20overall%20picture%20of%20the%20state%20of%20our%20forests%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20new%20data%20will%20also%20help%20track%20other%20risks%2C%20like%20illegal%20logging%2C%20across%20national%20borders%2C%20Sinkevicius%20said.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20has%20clashed%20with%20countries%20including%20Poland%20over%20this%20issue.%20The%20European%20Court%20of%20Justice%20ruled%20in%20March%20that%20Poland's%20policy%20of%20allowing%20logging%20during%20birds'%20breeding%20seasons%20breached%20EU%20environment%20laws.%20The%20court%20also%20ruled%20in%202018%20against%20Warsaw's%20authorisation%20of%20logging%20in%20the%20ancient%20Bialowieza%20forest.%0A%0ACampaign%20group%20Fern%20welcomed%20the%20EU%20proposal%20as%20%22a%20potentially%20golden%20opportunity%22%20to%20provide%20the%20data%20needed%20to%20protect%20Europe's%20forests.%20However%2C%20the%20group%20said%20the%20law%20should%20go%20further%20and%20compel%20EU%20countries%20to%20then%20take%20action%20to%20improve%20forests'%20health.%0A%0ABrussels%20says%20forest%20data%20currently%20provided%20by%20member%20states%20has%20gaps%20and%20often%20long%20delays%2C%20hampering%20their%20ability%20to%20prepare%20for%20climate%20hazards.

Monitoring EU forests with satellites

Joe%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20administration%20on%20Tuesday%20announced%20a%20new%20proposal%20aimed%20at%20banning%20logging%20in%20old-growth%20forests%2C%20a%20move%20meant%20to%20protect%20millions%20of%20trees%20that%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20fighting%20the%20climate%20crisis.%0A%0AThe%20proposal%20comes%20from%20an%20executive%20order%20signed%20by%20the%20president%20on%20Earth%20Day%20in%202022%20that%20directed%20the%20US%20Forest%20Service%20and%20the%20land%20management%20bureau%20to%20conduct%20an%20inventory%20of%20old-growth%20and%20mature%20forest%20groves%20as%20well%20as%20to%20develop%20policies%20that%20protect%20them.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20think%20this%20will%20allow%20us%20to%20respond%20effectively%20and%20strategically%20to%20the%20biggest%20threats%20that%20face%20old%20growth%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20US%20agriculture%20secretary%2C%20Tom%20Vilsack%2C%20told%20the%20Washington%20Post.%20%E2%80%9CAt%20the%20end%20of%20the%20day%2C%20it%20will%20protect%20not%20just%20the%20forests%20but%20also%20the%20culture%20and%20heritage%20connected%20to%20the%20forests.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20US%20Forest%20Service%20oversees%20193m%20acres%20of%20forests%20and%20grasslands%2C%20144m%20of%20which%20are%20forests.%20In%20its%20inventory%20conducted%20after%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20executive%20order%2C%20the%20agency%20found%20that%20the%20vast%20majority%20of%20forests%20it%20oversees%2C%20about%2080%25%2C%20are%20either%20old-growth%20or%20mature%20forests.%20It%20found%20more%20than%2032m%20acres%20of%20old-growth%20forests%20and%2080m%20acres%20of%20mature%20forests%20on%20federal%20land.%0A%0AThe%20land%20management%20bureau%20defines%20old-growth%20forests%20as%20those%20with%20trees%20that%20are%20in%20later%20stages%20of%20stand%20development%2C%20which%20typically%20means%20at%20least%20120%20years%20of%20growth%2C%20depending%20on%20species.%20The%20giant%20sequoias%20in%20California%2C%20for%20example%2C%20are%20old-growth%20trees.%20Mature%20forests%2C%20meanwhile%2C%20have%20trees%20that%20are%20in%20the%20development%20stage%20immediately%20before%20old%20growth.%0A%0AAdvocates%20for%20years%20have%20been%20pushing%20the%20Biden%20administration%20to%20explicitly%20ban%20logging%20in%20old-growth%20and%20mature%20forests.%20Trees%20that%20are%20in%20their%20old-growth%20stage%20are%20able%20to%20store%20more%20carbon%20than%20younger%20trees%2C%20making%20them%20a%20natural%20solution%20to%20fighting%20the%20climate%20crisis.%0A%0AIn%202022%2C%20shortly%20before%20Biden%20announced%20his%20executive%20order%2C%20a%20group%20of%20more%20than%20130%20scientists%20wrote%20a%20letter%20to%20Biden%20advocating%20a%20ban%20on%20logging%20in%20old-growth%20forests.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COlder%20forests%20provide%20the%20most%20above-ground%20carbon%20storage%20potential%20on%20Earth%2C%20with%20mature%20forests%20and%20larger%20trees%20driving%20most%20accumulation%20of%20forest%20carbon%20in%20the%20critical%20next%20few%20decades%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20letter%20read.%20%E2%80%9CLeft%20vulnerable%20to%20logging%2C%20though%2C%20they%20cannot%20fulfill%20these%20vital%20functions.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20ban%20will%20come%20into%20effect%20in%20early%202025%2C%20allowing%20time%20for%20the%20Forest%20Service%20to%20finalize%20rules%20that%20will%20protect%20old-growth%20forests%20from%20logging.%20Because%20it%20comes%20under%20an%20executive%20order%2C%20its%20existence%20depends%20on%20the%20outcome%20of%20the%202024%20presidential%20election%2C%20making%20advocates%20worried%20about%20the%20protections%E2%80%99%20vulnerability%20to%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20political%20climate.%0A%0ABut%20federal%20agencies%20have%20also%20been%20under%20pressure%20from%20the%20timber%20industry%2C%20which%20argues%20that%20logging%20creates%20economic%20activity%20and%20helps%20to%20fight%20wildfires.%20The%20proposal%20focuses%20on%20most%20old-growth%20forests%2C%20leaving%20mature%20forests%20still%20vulnerable%20to%20logging%2C%20which%20is%20a%20middle%20ground%20between%20environmentalists%20and%20the%20timber%20industry.%0A%0AChris%20Wood%2C%20the%20president%20of%20Trout%20Unlimited%20and%20a%20former%20official%20with%20the%20US%20Forest%20Service%2C%20told%20the%20Associated%20Press%20the%20policy%20%E2%80%9Cis%20a%20step%20in%20the%20right%20direction%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20the%20first%20time%20the%20Forest%20Service%20has%20said%20its%20national%20policy%20will%20be%20to%20protect%20old%20growth%2C%E2%80%9D%20Wood%20said.%0A%0AOther%20advocates%20are%20emphasizing%20that%20this%20is%20just%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20first%20step%20toward%20fulfilling%20his%20executive%20order.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CProtecting%20our%20old-growth%20trees%20from%20logging%20is%20an%20important%20first%20step%20to%20ensure%20these%20giants%20continue%20to%20store%20vast%20amounts%20of%20carbon%2C%20but%20other%20older%20forests%20also%20need%20protection%2C%E2%80%9D%20Randi%20Spivak%2C%20public%20lands%20policy%20director%20with%20the%20Center%20for%20Biological%20Diversity%2C%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CTo%20fulfill%20President%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20executive%20order%20and%20address%20the%20magnitude%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20the%20Forest%20Service%20also%20needs%20to%20protect%20our%20mature%20forests%2C%20which%20if%20allowed%20to%20grow%20will%20become%20the%20old%20growth%20of%20tomorrow.%E2%80%9D

Joe Biden to ban logging in US old-growth forests 

Poland%E2%80%99s%20new%20climate%20minister%20has%20said%20she%20will%20%E2%80%9Cget%20saws%20out%20of%20Polish%20forests%E2%80%9D%20by%20limiting%20logging%20in%2010%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20most%20treasured%20woodlands.%0A%0APaulina%20Hennig-Kloska%2C%20who%20was%20appointed%20climate%20and%20environment%20minister%20last%20month%20after%20far-right%20and%20nationalist%20parties%20failed%20to%20form%20a%20coalition%2C%20said%20on%20Monday%20that%20the%20half-year%20moratorium%20in%20forests%20across%20the%20country%20was%20the%20first%20step%20to%20limiting%20logging.%0A%0AThe%20government%20promised%20in%20its%20coalition%20agreement%20to%20protect%2020%25%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20forests.%20The%20new%20measures%20affect%20just%201.5%25%20of%20state-managed%20woodlands%20but%20include%20biodiverse%20forests%20such%20as%20the%20Carpathian%20forest%20in%20the%20south-east%2C%20Knyszyn%20forest%20in%20the%20north-east%20and%20those%20surrounding%20the%20city%20of%20Wroc%C5%82aw%20in%20the%20south-west.%0A%0AThe%20deputy%20climate%20minister%2C%20Miko%C5%82aj%20Doro%C5%BCa%C5%82a%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThese%20are%20the%20most%20valuable%20natural%20places%20that%20have%20a%20very%20important%20social%20aspect%2C%20including%20being%20near%20large%20urban%20centres.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APoland%20is%20home%20to%20some%20of%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20last%20surviving%20ancient%20woodlands%20but%20its%20forests%20have%20been%20devastated%20by%20an%20onslaught%20of%20logging.%20Nature%20groups%20have%20stressed%20that%20the%20country%20is%20home%20to%20threatened%20animals%20that%20have%20been%20killed%20off%20in%20many%20parts%20of%20Europe%2C%20such%20as%20brown%20bears%2C%20grey%20wolves%20and%20bison.%0A%0APoland%E2%80%99s%20forests%20have%20seen%20%E2%80%9Cenormous%20devastation%E2%80%9D%20and%20the%20state-owned%20companies%20that%20care%20for%20them%20require%20thorough%20reform%2C%20said%20Aleksandra%20Wiktor%2C%20a%20nature%20campaigner%20from%20Greenpeace%20Poland.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CSuch%20a%20situation%20should%20never%20happen%20again%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThey%20should%20serve%20society%20and%20protect%20nature%2C%20not%20be%20a%20money-making%20machine%20for%20politicians%20and%20forest%20barons.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APoland%E2%80%99s%20new%20government%20has%20promised%20stronger%20climate%20action%20than%20the%20last%2C%20with%20pledges%20to%20build%20more%20clean%20energy%2C%20hasten%20the%20switch%20from%20coal%20to%20renewables%20and%20cut%20planet-heating%20pollution%20faster.%0A%0AIt%20has%20also%20promised%20stronger%20protections%20for%20nature.%20In%20one%20of%20her%20first%20acts%20as%20climate%20minster%2C%20Hennig-Kloska%20travelled%20to%20Bia%C5%82owie%C5%BCa%20national%20park%2C%20a%20Unesco%20heritage%20site%20on%20the%20border%20of%20Poland%20and%20Belarus%2C%20and%20announced%20plans%20to%20create%20a%20constitution%20for%20the%20forest%20along%20with%20stronger%20partnerships%20with%20local%20communities%2C%20environmental%20groups%2C%20foresters%20and%20scientists.%0A%0APoland%20has%20repeatedly%20clashed%20with%20European%20courts%20over%20its%20logging%20of%20forests%20despite%20pressure%20from%20the%20public%20to%20protect%20woodlands.%0A%0AHennig-Kloska%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20ending%20an%20era%20in%20which%20strategic%20decisions%20regarding%20the%20natural%20environment%20in%20Poland%20are%20made%20from%20behind%20a%20desk%20in%20Warsaw.%20We%20came%20to%20the%20Bia%C5%82owie%C5%BCa%20national%20park%20to%20show%20a%20new%20style%20of%20work%20and%20decision-making.%E2%80%9D

Poland Halts Logging in 10 of Its Oldest Forests

Brazil's%20seaside%20city%20of%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro%2C%20famed%20for%20its%20crowded%20beaches%20and%20lush%20surrounding%20hills%2C%20is%20sending%20drones%20buzzing%20into%20the%20air%20to%20disperse%20seeds%2C%20part%20of%20a%20high-tech%20push%20that%20seeks%20to%20speed%20up%20local%20reforestation%20efforts.%0A%0AThe%20green%20initiative%2C%20a%20partnership%20between%20Rio's%20city%20hall%20and%20startup%20Morfo%2C%20launched%20last%20Friday%20and%20is%20being%20used%20to%20seed%20local%20native%20species%20in%20hard-to-reach%20areas%20that%20would%20be%20more%20difficult%20using%20traditional%20methods.%0A%0AEligible%20areas%20in%20one%20of%20the%20most-visited%20cities%20of%20the%20Americas%20are%20selected%20after%20an%20analysis%20of%20soil%20and%20native%20species.%20Computers%20powered%20by%20artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)%20then%20define%20the%20specific%20targets%20and%20number%20of%20seeds%20to%20be%20dropped%2C%20according%20to%20a%20statement%20from%20the%20local%20government.%0A%0AA%20single%20drone%20is%20capable%20of%20dispersing%20180%20seed%20capsules%20per%20minute%2C%20or%20100%20times%20faster%20than%20utilizing%20human%20hands%20to%20spread%20seeds%20in%20a%20more%20traditional%20reforestation%20program.%0A%0ASowing%20via%20drones%20assisted%20by%20AI%20also%20eliminates%20the%20need%20for%20months%20of%20nurturing%20seedlings%2C%20as%20well%20as%20transporting%20them%20to%20the%20area%20designated%20for%20planting%2C%20the%20statement%20added.

Drones and AI team up to reforest Rio de Janeiro

More%20than%20100%2C000%20trees%20are%20being%20planted%20in%20north%20Devon%20as%20part%20of%20efforts%20to%20boost%20temperate%20or%20Celtic%20rainforests%2C%20some%20of%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20most%20magical%20but%20endangered%20environments.%0A%0AThe%20trees%20are%20being%20planted%20close%20to%20surviving%20pockets%20of%20rainforest%20at%20two%20spots%20close%20to%20the%20coast%20and%20one%20inland.%0A%0AAmong%20the%20trees%20that%20will%20be%20planted%20is%20the%20almost-extinct%20Devon%20whitebeam%2C%20which%20is%20only%20found%20in%20the%20English%20West%20Country%20and%20in%20Ireland.%20It%20can%20reproduce%20without%20fertilisation%2C%20creating%20seeds%20that%20are%20genetic%20copies%20of%20itself.%20Its%20edible%20fruit%20used%20to%20be%20sold%20at%20Devon%20markets%20as%20%E2%80%9Csorb%20apples%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%93%20celebrated%20in%20the%20DH%20Lawrence%20poem%20Medlars%20and%20Sorb-Apples%20(%E2%80%9CI%20love%20you%2C%20rotten%2C%2FDelicious%20rottenness.%E2%80%9D)%0A%0AHelped%20by%20volunteers%2C%20schoolchildren%20and%20community%20groups%2C%20the%20National%20Trust%20is%20hoping%20to%20establish%2050%20hectares%20(123%20acres)%20of%20new%20rainforest%20across%20three%20sites.%20About%2038%2C000%20trees%20will%20be%20planted%20near%20the%20sea%20on%20Exmoor%2C%2020%2C000%20at%20Woolacombe%20and%20Hartland%2C%20and%2050%2C000%20inland%20at%20Arlington%20Court%2C%20near%20Barnstaple.%0A%0ATemperate%20rainforests%2C%20also%20known%20as%20Atlantic%20rainforests%2C%20are%20characterised%20by%20their%20damp%20conditions%2C%20making%20them%20the%20perfect%20home%20for%20a%20unique%20variety%20of%20rare%20ferns%2C%20mosses%2C%20liverworts%2C%20lichens%20and%20wildlife%20including%20pine%20martens%2C%20pied%20flycatchers%20and%20stoats.%0A%0AOver%20the%20centuries%2C%20the%20temperate%20rainforest%2C%20which%20used%20to%20run%20the%20length%20of%20the%20western%20seaboard%20of%20the%20UK%2C%20has%20deteriorated%20largely%20due%20to%20air%20pollution%2C%20invasive%20species%2C%20diseases%20such%20as%20ash%20dieback%20and%20general%20lack%20of%20care.%0A%0AJohn%20Deakin%2C%20the%20head%20of%20trees%20and%20woodlands%20at%20the%20National%20Trust%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CAll%20that%E2%80%99s%20left%20are%20fragments%2C%20covering%20only%201%25%20of%20Britain%20and%20limited%20to%20small%20patches%20in%20Devon%2C%20Cornwall%2C%20north%20and%20west%20Wales%2C%20Cumbria%2C%20the%20west%20of%20Scotland%20and%20parts%20of%20Northern%20Ireland.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20a%20result%2C%20the%20rare%20specialist%20plants%20that%20depend%20on%20this%20habitat%20desperately%20cling%20to%20the%20remaining%20fragments%20for%20survival%2C%20with%20some%20of%20the%20woodlands%20we%20care%20for%20in%20north%20Devon%20containing%20nearly%20the%20entire%20global%20population%20of%20some%20of%20these%20species%2C%20such%20as%20the%20Devon%20whitebeam.%20Without%20urgent%20action%2C%20these%20unique%20plants%20could%20soon%20be%20facing%20extinction.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20working%20on%20expansion%2C%20rather%20than%20just%20preservation.%20This%20is%20important%20because%20the%20conditions%20many%20of%20these%20rare%20plants%20thrive%20in%20are%20not%20necessarily%20conducive%20to%20disturbance%2C%20which%20makes%20regeneration%20tricky.%20But%2C%20by%20planting%20on%20the%20edges%20of%20these%20existing%20woodlands%2C%20we%20can%20ease%20the%20pressure%20caused%20to%20the%20existing%20delicate%20vegetation%20and%20instead%20help%20the%20woodlands%20evolve%20outward.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABryony%20Wilde%2C%20project%20manager%20at%20Arlington%20Court%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThrough%20this%20tree%20planting%2C%20we%E2%80%99re%20helping%20to%20create%20a%20living%20landscape%20where%20both%20nature%20and%20people%20can%20thrive.%20These%20trees%20will%20not%20only%20provide%20a%20habitat%20for%20wildlife%20but%20also%20fix%20carbon%20into%20the%20soil%2C%20purify%20air%20and%20water%2C%20and%20provide%20a%20place%20for%20people%20to%20enjoy.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ADevon%20is%20a%20good%20place%20to%20experience%20a%20temperate%20rainforest%2C%20with%20places%20like%20Wistman%E2%80%99s%20Wood%20on%20Dartmoor%2C%20an%20upland%20oakwood%2C%20cherished%20for%20its%20flora%20and%20enchanting%20feel.%0A%0ALast%20year%2C%20Devon%20Wildlife%20Trust%20announced%20t%20it%20was%20planting%20a%20temperate%20rainforest%20in%20the%20south%20of%20the%20county%2C%20on%20the%20slopes%20above%20the%20River%20Dart.%0A%0AThe%20plight%20of%20the%20temperate%20rainforest%20has%20been%20highlighted%20by%20the%20writer%20and%20environmentalist%20Guy%20Shrubsole%2C%20who%20has%20been%20leading%20a%20project%20to%20map%20the%20surviving%20fragments.%0A

Ancient rainforest to be restored in Devon

The%20massive%20wildfire%20tearing%20across%20the%20Texas%20panhandle%20is%20already%20the%20state's%20largest%20ever%20and%20ranks%20among%20the%20biggest%20in%20U.S.%20history%2C%20consuming%20more%20than%201%20million%20acres%20-%20an%20area%20nearly%20the%20size%20of%20Delaware%20-%20and%20killing%20at%20least%20two%20people.%0A%0AScientists%20say%20wildfires%20are%20increasing%20in%20size%2C%20frequency%20and%20intensity%20due%20to%20climate%20change%2C%20which%20creates%20hotter%20and%20drier%20conditions%20that%20allow%20fires%20to%20spread%20more%20quickly%20and%20burn%20more%20fiercely.%0A%0AHere%20are%20some%20of%20the%20other%20largest%20wildfires%20in%20U.S.%20history%3A%0A%0AAUGUST%20COMPLEX%20FIRE%3A%0A%20CALIFORNIA%2C%202020%0A%0AThe%20August%20Complex%20fire%20began%20as%20dozens%20of%20separate%20fires%20that%20merged%20into%20an%20enormous%20conflagration%20between%20Napa%20and%20the%20Oregon%20border.%20The%20blaze%20burned%20more%20than%201%20million%20acres%2C%20making%20it%20bigger%20than%20all%20other%20California%20fires%20from%201932%20to%201999%20combined.%0A%0AThe%20fire%20was%20part%20of%20the%202020%20wildfire%20season%20in%20California%20that%20burned%20nearly%204.4%20million%20acres%20of%20land%2C%20the%20most%20of%20any%20year%20in%20modern%20state%20history.%0A%0ADIXIE%20FIRE%3A%20CALIFORNIA%2C%202021%0A%0AThe%20Dixie%20fire%20burned%20more%20than%20960%2C000%20acres%20north%20of%20Sacramento%2C%20California%2C%20from%20July%20to%20October%2C%20destroying%20several%20towns.%20It%20is%20the%20second%20largest%20in%20state%20history%20and%20started%20when%20a%20tree%20fell%20on%20electrical%20wires.%0A%0APESHTIGO%20FIRE%3A%20WISCONSIN%2C%201871%0A%0AGREAT%20MICHIGAN%20FIRE%3A%20MICHIGAN%2C%201871%0A%0AThe%20Peshtigo%20fire%20started%20on%20Oct.%208%2C%201871%20in%20northeastern%20Wisconsin%20and%20burned%20more%20than%201%20million%20acres%20of%20forest.%20The%20blaze%20killed%20more%20than%201%2C100%20people%2C%20according%20to%20the%20National%20Fire%20Protection%20Association%2C%20making%20it%20among%20the%20deadliest%20wildfires%20in%20U.S.%20history%20as%20well%20as%20one%20of%20the%20largest.%0A%0AThe%20Great%20Michigan%20Fire%20started%20at%20the%20same%20time%2C%20burning%20more%20than%202%20million%20acres%20and%20killing%20an%20unknown%20number%20of%20people.%0A%0ABoth%20fires%20are%20not%20as%20well%20remembered%20as%20another%20blaze%20that%20began%20on%20the%20same%20day%3A%20the%20Great%20Chicago%20Fire%2C%20which%20killed%20hundreds%20and%20destroyed%20much%20of%20the%20city.%0A%0AAll%20of%20the%20fires%20were%20fueled%20by%20a%20months-long%20drought%20and%20high%20winds.%20However%2C%20one%20popular%20legend%20has%20it%20that%20the%20Chicago%20Fire%20began%20when%20a%20cow%20belonging%20to%20Catherine%20O'Leary%20tipped%20over%20a%20lit%20lantern.%0A%0AGREAT%20FIRE%20OF%201910%3A%20IDAHO%2C%20MONTANA%20AND%20WASHINGTON%2C%201910%0A%0AThe%20Great%20Fire%20of%201910%20consumed%20approximately%203%20million%20acres%20in%20the%20span%20of%20only%20two%20days%2C%20killing%2087%20people.%20The%20fire%20exploded%20when%20strong%20winds%20and%20dry%20conditions%20caused%20many%20small%20fires%20to%20combine%20into%20one%20massive%20blaze.

Texas wildfire ranks among largest in US

A%20tiny%20forest%20filled%20with%20more%20than%201%2C000%20native%20plants%20will%20spring%20up%20in%20New%20York%20City%20come%20April%20on%20a%202%2C700%20sq%20ft%20plot%20of%20land%20on%20the%20southern%20tip%20of%20Manhattan%E2%80%99s%20Roosevelt%20Island.%0A%0AIt%20will%20be%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20first%20pocket%20forest%2C%20and%20supporters%20say%20it%20will%20bring%20both%20the%20beauty%20of%20increased%20biodiversity%20and%20tangible%20benefits%20to%20residents%20navigating%20increasingly%20extreme%20weather.%0A%0APioneered%20by%20Japanese%20botanist%20Akira%20Miyawaki%20in%20the%201970s%2C%20the%20concept%20of%20planting%20dense%2C%20fast-growing%20trees%20and%20shrubs%20is%20popular%20across%20Asia%2C%20Europe%2C%20Africa%2C%20South%20America%20and%20the%20Middle%20East.%20In%20the%20US%2C%20cities%20like%20Los%20Angeles%3B%20Berkeley%2C%20California%3B%20Portland%2C%20Oregon%3B%20and%20Cambridge%2C%20Massachusetts%2C%20have%20created%20mini%20forests%20with%20native%20plant%20species.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CToday%20our%20cities%20are%20concrete%20on%20concrete%2C%E2%80%9D%20Elise%20Van%20Middelem%2C%20founder%20of%20SUGi%2C%20a%20non-profit%20that%20will%20plant%20species%20like%20white%20oak%2C%20Virginia%20strawberry%2C%20New%20York%20fern%20and%20eastern%20white%20pine%20on%20Roosevelt%20Island.%20%E2%80%9CWhen%20floods%20come%20or%20it%20rains%20really%20hard%2C%20there%E2%80%99s%20no%20more%20permeable%20surfaces.%20So%20one%20of%20the%20benefits%20%5Bof%20mini%20forests%5D%20is%20that%20they%20act%20as%20sponges.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThere%20is%20an%20array%20of%20benefits%20in%20planting%20Miyawaki-style%20forests%2C%20including%20cooling%2C%20shade%2C%20water%20and%20carbon%20absorption%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20restoration%20of%20ecosystems%20that%20can%20serve%20as%20a%20home%20to%20wildlife%20such%20as%20birds%20and%20insects.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBiodiversity%20is%20completely%20linked%20with%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%E2%80%9D%20Van%20Middelem%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20array%20of%20beauty%20that%20comes%20back%20where%20there%20was%20nothing%20is%20just%20remarkable.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APlanted%20in%20soil%20usually%20enriched%20with%20compost%2C%20layers%20of%20shrubs%20and%20canopy%20have%20been%20shown%20to%20grow%20at%20a%20high%20rate%20as%20they%20compete%20for%20sunlight.%20Once%20planted%2C%20these%20dense%20patches%20of%20greenery%20can%20thrive%20in%20small%20urban%20spaces%20without%20much%20upkeep.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20thrilled%20about%20this%20kind%20of%20green%20infrastructure%20that%20actually%20cools%20the%20neighborhood%20at%20a%20time%20of%20global%20warming%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Manhattan%E2%80%99s%20borough%20president%2C%20Mark%20Levine.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20and%20should%20do%20more%20of%20these.%20I%E2%80%99d%20like%20to%20see%20the%20next%20one%20in%20low-income%20communities%20of%20color%20that%20have%20far%20fewer%20street%20trees%20than%20wealthier%20parts%20of%20the%20city.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AOn%20high%20heat%20days%2C%20people%20of%20color%20and%20low-income%20residents%20shoulder%20the%20highest%20burden%20of%20heat%20due%20to%20poor%20air%20quality%20and%20lack%20of%20trees%20and%20shade%2C%20as%20well%20as%20inadequate%20cooling%20systems.%20Based%20on%20peak%20summer%20temperature%20assessments%2C%20the%20neighborhood%20of%20the%20south%20Bronx%20was%208F%20(4.5C)%20hotter%20than%20the%20wealthier%20areas%20of%20the%20Upper%20West%20Side%20and%20the%20Upper%20East%20Side.%0A%0AAt%20roughly%20%24200%20per%2010%20sq%20ft%2C%20the%20cost%20of%20the%20tiny%20forest%20in%20Roosevelt%20Island%20is%20estimated%20to%20be%20%2454%2C000%2C%20according%20to%20Van%20Middelem.%20It%20will%20be%20planted%20in%20an%20unused%20garden%20space%20leased%20from%20the%20city.%20With%20more%20than%20300%20volunteers%20and%20counting%2C%20the%20planting%20is%20scheduled%20for%206%20April.

A new tiny forest of 1000 trees is coming to NYC

Brazil%20and%20France%20on%20Tuesday%20launched%20an%20investment%20program%20to%20protect%20the%20Brazilian%20and%20Guyanese%20Amazon%20rainforest%20involving%201%20billion%20euros%20(%241.1%20billion)%20in%20private%20and%20public%20funds%20over%20the%20next%20four%20years.%0A%0AThe%20announcement%20was%20made%20during%20French%20President%20Emmanuel%20Macron's%20three-day%20visit%20to%20the%20South%20American%20country%2C%20where%20he%20landed%20on%20Tuesday%20in%20Belem%2C%20near%20the%20mouth%20of%20the%20Amazon%2C%20and%20was%20met%20by%20Brazil's%20President%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva.%0A%0A%22Gathered%20in%20Belem%2C%20in%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20Amazon%2C%20we%2C%20Brazil%20and%20France%2C%20Amazonian%20countries%2C%20have%20decided%20to%20join%20forces%20to%20promote%20an%20international%20roadmap%20for%20protection%20of%20tropical%20forests%2C%22%20they%20said%20in%20a%20joint%20statement.%0A%0ATheir%20pledge%20to%20work%20together%20to%20stop%20deforestation%20in%20the%20Amazon%20by%202030%20to%20contribute%20to%20slowing%20global%20warming%20comes%20two%20years%20before%20Brazil%20hosts%20the%20COP30%20climate%20negotiations%20talks%20in%20Belen%20in%202025.%0A%0A%22The%20presidents%20expressed%20their%20commitment%20to%20the%20conservation%2C%20restoration%20and%20sustainable%20management%20of%20the%20world's%20tropical%20forests%20and%20agreed%20to%20work%20on%20an%20ambitious%20agenda%2C%20including%20...%20developing%20innovative%20financial%20instruments%2C%20market%20mechanisms%20and%20payments%20for%20environmental%20services%2C%22%20the%20statement%20said.%0A%0AMacron%20and%20Lula%20took%20a%20river%20boat%20to%20visit%20a%20sustainable%20development%20project%20for%20producing%20chocolate%20on%20an%20island%20near%20Belem%2C%20and%20met%20with%20Indigenous%20leaders.%0A%0AAt%20the%20event%2C%20Macron%20honored%20Indigenous%20leader%20and%20environmental%20campaigner%20Raoni%20Metuktire%2C%20of%20the%20Kayapo%20people%2C%20with%20the%20National%20Order%20of%20the%20Legion%20of%20Honor%2C%20France's%20highest%20order%20of%20merit%2C%20for%20his%20fight%20to%20protect%20the%20rainforest%20and%20Indigenous%20rights.%0A%0AChief%20Raoni%2C%20who%20became%20a%20global%20reference%20for%20campaigning%20in%20the%201980s%20with%20musician%20Sting%20at%20his%20side%2C%20handed%20Macron%20documents%20denouncing%20the%20environmental%20impact%20that%20a%20planned%20railway%20backed%20by%20soy%20farmers%20will%20have%20on%20Indigenous%20people%2C%20whom%20he%20said%20have%20not%20been%20freely%20consulted.%0A%0ARaoni%20asked%20Lula%20not%20to%20approve%20building%20the%201%2C000-km%20(620-mile)%20railroad%20known%20as%20Ferrograo%20that%20would%20lower%20agribusiness%20costs%20for%20shipping%20grains%20from%20Mato%20Grosso%20farm%20state%20to%20Amazon%20river%20ports%20and%20out%20to%20international%20markets.%0A%0ADespite%20past%20run-ins%20over%20the%20environment%2C%20relations%20between%20France%20and%20Brazil%20have%20recovered%20from%20a%20low%20point%20in%202019%20when%20Macron%20led%20a%20wave%20of%20international%20pressure%20on%20then-President%20Jair%20Bolsonaro%20over%20fires%20raging%20in%20the%20Amazon.%20Bolsonaro%20accused%20Macron%20and%20other%20G7%20countries%20of%20treating%20Brazil%20like%20%22a%20colony%22.%0A%0A%22After%20a%20four-year%20eclipse%20and%20a%20virtual%20freeze%20in%20political%20relations%20between%20our%20two%20countries%20during%20Bolsonaro's%20presidency%2C%20we%20are%20in%20the%20process%20of%20relaunching%20the%20bilateral%20relationship%20and%20the%20strategic%20partnership%20with%20Brazil%2C%22%20a%20French%20presidential%20adviser%20said%20on%20Friday.

Brazil, France invest $1.1b in Amazon rainforest

Firefighters%20in%20Mexico%20are%20fighting%20120%20fires%20raging%20across%2019%20states%2C%20burning%20through%20areas%20of%20land%20that%20include%2024%20Natural%20Protected%20Areas%20(ANP).%0A%0AMexico%E2%80%99s%20National%20Forestry%20Commission%20(Conafor)%20reported%20Wednesday%20that%206%2C195%20firefighters%20and%207%20helicopter%20teams%20are%20battling%20blazes%20that%20have%20ravaged%207%2C137%20hectares.%0A%0APresident%20Andr%C3%A9s%20Manuel%20L%C3%B3pez%20Obrador%20told%20reporters%20Thursday%20that%20four%20people%20died%20this%20week%20while%20fighting%20the%20wildfires%20in%20M%C3%A9xico%20state.%20They%20included%20a%20police%20officer%2C%20a%20firefighter%2C%20and%20two%20volunteers%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Aristegui%20Noticias%20news%20agency%20reported%20that%20the%20number%20of%20fires%20has%20increased%20sixfold%20since%20last%20week.%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20March%2015%E2%80%9321%20report%20indicated%20there%20were%20only%2020%20active%20forest%20fires%2C%20covering%20just%20208%20hectares.%20On%20March%2026%2C%20the%20commission%20reported%20126%20forest%20fires%20threatening%204%2C725%20hectares.%0A%0AIn%20the%20past%20two%20days%2C%20at%20least%20six%20fires%20have%20been%20controlled%2C%20but%20active%20fires%20have%20burned%20an%20additional%201%2C400%20hectares.%0A%0AM%C3%A9xico%20state%2C%20which%20surrounds%20Mexico%20City%20on%20three%20sides%2C%20has%20the%20most%20active%20fires%20in%20the%20country%2C%20with%2020%2C%20while%20Veracruz%20has%20the%20greatest%20amount%20of%20affected%20surface%20area%2C%20according%20to%20government%20officials.%0A%0AThe%20president%20said%20the%20National%20Civil%20Protection%20Coordination%20is%20working%20with%20the%20Defense%20Ministry%2C%20the%20Naval%20Ministry%2C%20and%20Conafor%20in%20cooperation%20with%20state%20and%20municipal%20agencies%20to%20control%20the%20fires.%20%0A%0AOther%20federal%20entities%20besides%20M%C3%A9xico%20state%20that%20have%20been%20hard%20hit%20this%20year%20during%20the%20wildfire%20season%20include%20Hidalgo%2C%20Guerrero%2C%20Chiapas%2C%20and%20Michoac%C3%A1n.%20The%20Mexico%20City%20Atmospheric%20Monitoring%20System%20(SIMAT)%20on%20Wednesday%20cited%20the%20fires%20in%20issuing%20a%20poor%20air%20quality%20alert%20to%20capital%20residents.%0A%0ASince%20January%201%2C667%2C%20forest%20fires%20have%20been%20registered%20in%2023%20of%20Mexico%E2%80%99s%2032%20federal%20entities%2C%20impacting%20more%20than%2022%2C000%20hectares%2C%20according%20to%20Conafor.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20official%20data%2C%20the%20causes%20include%20intentionally%20setting%20fires%20and%20agricultural%20activities.%20Extended%20drought%20conditions%2C%20high%20temperatures%2C%20and%20strong%20winds%20have%20combined%20to%20fuel%20the%20conflagrations.%0A%0ABudget%20cuts%20to%20Conafor%20have%20also%20complicated%20fighting%20the%20record%20number%20of%20blazes.%20On%20Wednesday%2C%20the%20newspaper%20El%20Universal%20published%20columnist%20H%C3%A9ctor%20de%20Maule%C3%B3n%E2%80%99s%20piece%20detailing%20how%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20budget%20has%20been%20continually%20slashed%20since%20the%20beginning%20of%20L%C3%B3pez%20Obrador%E2%80%99s%20presidency.%0A%0AIn%20former%20President%20Enrique%20Pe%C3%B1a%20Nieto%E2%80%99s%20final%20year%20in%20office%2C%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20budget%20exceeded%205.3%20billion%20pesos%20%E2%80%94%20about%20US%20%24265%20million%20in%202018%20pesos.%20The%20following%20year%2C%20L%C3%B3pez%20Obrador%E2%80%99s%20government%20reduced%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20budget%20by%2034%25%20to%203.5%20billion%20pesos%20(worth%20about%20US%20%24187%20million%20in%202019).%0A%0AWhen%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20budget%20was%20decreased%20yet%20again%20in%202020%20by%20an%20additional%208.5%25%2C%20Greenpeace%20and%20other%20civil%20society%20organizations%20issued%20a%20statement%20warning%20that%20the%20dismantling%20of%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%20technical%2C%20human%2C%20financial%2C%20and%20operational%20capacities%20put%20Mexico%20at%20great%20risk.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20Conafor%E2%80%99s%202024%20budget%20came%20in%20at%20just%20under%202.7%20billion%20pesos%20%E2%80%94%20a%20total%2049%25%20cut%20from%20where%20it%20had%20been%20in%202018%20%E2%80%94%20even%20as%20the%20agency%20announced%20it%20was%20bracing%20for%20a%20potentially%20explosive%20wildfire%20season.%0A%0AThe%20risk%20of%20wildfires%20is%20exacerbated%20by%20the%20fact%20that%20Mexico%20has%20experienced%20an%20intense%2C%20generalized%20drought%20in%20recent%20years%20and%20extreme%20temperatures.%20%20Earlier%20this%20month%20the%20National%20Water%20Commission%20(Conagua)%20identified%2014%20federal%20entities%20suffering%20from%20extreme%20drought.%0A%0ARead%20more%20about%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spot%2Fwildfire-in-latin-america%2Fclfd2clluh6im06%22%3Ewild%20fire%20in%20Latin%20America%3C%2Fa%3E%0A

Mexico battles a record 120 wildfires in 19 states

More%20than%206%2C000%20firefighters%20in%20California's%20Central%20Valley%20continued%20to%20battle%20the%20largest%20blaze%20in%20the%20U.S.%20on%20Saturday%2C%20which%20burned%20its%20way%20into%20the%20history%20books%20as%20the%20state's%20fourth-largest%20conflagration%20on%20record.%0A%20%0AThere%20was%20barely%20a%20taste%20of%20rain%20on%20Saturday%20from%20thunderstorms%20that%20brought%20wind%20and%20rainfall%20of%20zero%20to%20one-tenth%20of%20an%20inch%2C%20forecasters%20said.%0A%20%0AThe%20heat%20of%20100%20degrees%20Fahrenheit%20(38%20Celsius)%20along%20with%20winds%20up%20to%2025%20mph%20or%20more%20in%20some%20spots%2C%20offered%20little%20relief%20to%20the%20firefighters%20trying%20to%20contain%20the%20Park%20Fire%2C%20scorching%20the%20wilderness%20terrain%20some%20100%20miles%20(161%20km)%20north%20of%20Sacramento%2C%20the%20state%20capital.%0A%0A%22We%20had%20some%20thunderstorms%20that%20just%20brought%20us%20down-drafts%2C%20that's%20a%20problem%2C%22%20said%20Christopher%20Young%2C%20a%20spokesman%20for%20the%20California%20Department%20of%20Forestry%20and%20Fire%20Protection%2C%20or%20Cal%20Fire.%20%22Lightning%20is%20a%20factor%20we%20worry%20about.%22%0A%20%0ABlazes%20from%20the%20Park%20Fire%2C%20started%20by%20an%20alleged%20arsonist%20who%20pushed%20a%20flaming%20car%20down%20a%2060-foot%20gully%20near%20Chico%2C%20California%2C%20on%20July%2024%2C%20has%20since%20burned%20more%20than%20400%2C000%20acres%20(162%2C200%20hectares)%20or%20more%20than%20600%20square%20miles%2C%20an%20area%20larger%20than%20the%20city%20of%20Los%20Angeles.%0A%0AThe%2042-year-old%20man%20arrested%20had%20not%20entered%20a%20plea%20as%20of%20Saturday%2C%20but%20was%20charged%20with%20arson%20and%20held%20without%20bail%2C%20officials%20said.%0A%20%0AMore%20than%20560%20homes%20and%20other%20structures%20were%20destroyed%20since%20the%20blaze%20started%2011%20days%20ago%2C%20feeding%20off%20of%20downed%20timber%20and%20tinder-dry%20grass%20and%20brush.%20The%20fire%20was%2027%25%20contained%20on%20Saturday%2C%20officials%20said.%0A%20%0AMore%20than%204%2C000%20people%20were%20evacuated%20in%20the%20Park%20Fire%20including%20retiree%20Jim%20Young%2C%2065%2C%20of%20Red%20Bluff%2C%20California%2C%20where%20he%20lived%20in%20a%20trailer%20home%20with%20his%20dog%2C%20a%20black%20Labrador%20Retriever%20named%20Sparky.%0A%0AHe%20and%20the%20dog%20spent%20the%20last%20eight%20days%20camped%20out%20with%20some%20other%20families%20in%20a%20gravel%20lot%20at%20a%20wilderness%20trailhead%20about%206%20miles%20from%20his%20home%2C%20worrying%20every%20day%20if%20it%20was%20safe.%0A%20%0A%22We%20just%20found%20out%20we%20can%20go%20home%2C%22%20Young%20told%20Reuters%20on%20Saturday%20evening.%20%22Our%20property%20is%20safe.%20So%20many%20lost%20everything.%20But%20me%20and%20Sparky%20can%20go%20home%20now.%22%0A%20%0AThe%20rough%2C%20wilderness%20terrain%20means%20it%20takes%20two%20to%20three%20hours%20to%20reach%20the%20fire%20lines%2C%20officials%20said.%20Some%20firefighters%20are%20being%20flown%20to%20the%20front%20lines%20by%20helicopters%2C%20with%20some%20expected%20to%20stay%20there%20for%20days%20with%20supplies%20also%20flown%20in.%0A%0AThe%20national%20wildfire%20season%20has%20had%20an%20intense%20start%2C%20raising%20the%20risk%20of%20stretching%20firefighting%20resources%20too%20thin.%20The%20National%20Interagency%20Fire%20Center%20has%20already%20requested%20help%20from%20firefighters%20in%20Australia%20and%20New%20Zealand%2C%20who%20will%20arrive%20starting%20Aug.%207%20and%20deploy%20to%20Oregon%20and%20Washington.

California wildfire becomes 4th-largest in history

An%20Argentine%20federal%20judge%20on%20Monday%20ordered%20a%20three-month%20suspension%20of%20deforestation%20in%20northern%20Chaco%20province%2C%20a%20rare%20step%20to%20protect%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20woodland%20ecosystems%20that%20is%20most%20rapidly%20being%20destroyed%20to%20make%20way%20for%20farmland.%0A%20%0AThe%20unusual%20though%20not%20unprecedented%20move%2C%20announced%20officially%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%20on%20the%20public%20prosecutor's%20office%20website%2C%20comes%20amid%20an%20investigation%20into%20an%20alleged%20public-private%20corruption%20scheme%20involving%20both%20business%20people%20and%20local%20officials%20profiting%20from%20illegal%20land%20clearance.%0A%0AThe%20province%20of%20Chaco%20is%20part%20of%20the%20American%20Gran%20Chaco%2C%20the%20largest%20forested%20region%20in%20South%20America%20after%20the%20Amazon%20and%20spans%20between%20Argentina%2C%20Paraguay%2C%20Bolivia%20and%20Brazil.%20It%20has%20some%20of%20the%20worst%20deforestation%20rates%20in%20the%20world.%0A%20%0AThis%20dry%20forest%20ecosystem%20is%20home%20to%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20wildlife%2C%20including%20jaguars%2C%20foxes%2C%20manned%20wolves%2C%20ocelots%2C%20tapirs%2C%20armadillos%2C%20capybaras%20and%20pumas%2C%20among%20others.%0A%0AProsecutors%20are%20investigating%20former%20and%20current%20local%20officials%20along%20with%20major%20companies%2C%20especially%20in%20the%20grains%20sector%2C%20for%20making%20illegal%20profits%2C%20abuse%20of%20authority%20and%20failure%20to%20fulfill%20the%20duties%20of%20public%20officials.%0A%20%0A%22The%20judge%20ordered%20the%20total%20suspension%20of%20clearing%20in%20the%20province%20of%20Chaco%2C%22%20said%20Enrique%20Viale%2C%20president%20of%20the%20Argentine%20Association%20of%20Environmental%20Lawyers%20(AAdeAA)%2C%20which%20brought%20the%20initial%20complaint.%0A%0A%22This%20will%20ensure%20that%20environmental%20damage%20is%20not%20caused%20while%20the%20investigation%20is%20carried%20out.%20We%20will%20continue%20until%20we%20dismantle%20this%20land-clearing%20mafia%20and%20stop%20deforestation.%22%0A%20%0AThe%20main%20economic%20activities%20of%20Chaco%20province%2C%20which%20has%20an%20area%20of%20%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Babout%20100%2C000%20square%20km%20(24.7%20million%20acres)%2C%20are%20forestry%2C%20soy%20and%20cattle%2C%20cotton%20production%2C%20firewood%20and%20tannins.%0A%20%0AThe%20Chaco%20government%20did%20not%20immediately%20respond%20to%20a%20request%20for%20comment.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20data%20from%20NGO%20Fundaci%C3%B3n%20Vida%20Silvestre%20(Forest%20Life%20Foundation)%2C%20despite%20Argentina%20having%20a%20Forest%20Protection%20Law%2C%20the%20Gran%20Chaco%20has%20lost%2030%25%20of%20its%20forests%2C%20with%2076%25%20of%20the%20deforestation%20carried%20out%20illegally%20between%202007%20and%202021.

Argentina judge halts Chaco deforestation

A%20new%20Western%20Forest%20is%20to%20be%20created%20across%20a%20swathe%20of%20the%20west%20of%20England%20from%20the%20Cotswolds%20to%20the%20Mendips%2C%20the%20government%20has%20said.%0A%0AThe%20project%2C%20one%20of%20the%20government%E2%80%99s%20promised%20national%20forests%2C%20will%20create%202%2C500%20hectares%20(6%2C200%20acres)%20of%20woodland%20by%202030%20across%20five%20priority%20areas%20in%20Wiltshire%2C%20Gloucestershire%2C%20Somerset%20and%20Bristol%2C%20with%20plans%20to%20plant%2020m%20trees%20by%202050.%0A%0AThe%20government%20said%20the%20announcement%20was%20a%20first%20step%20in%20meeting%20its%20manifesto%20commitment%2C%20and%20would%20bring%20trees%20and%20woodlands%20closer%20to%20people%20in%20cities%20and%20towns%20such%20as%20Bristol%2C%20Gloucester%20and%20Swindon.%0A%0AThe%20scheme%20is%20the%20first%20new%20national%20forest%20for%2030%20years%20%E2%80%93%20following%20on%20from%20the%20establishment%20of%20the%20National%20Forest%20in%20the%20Midlands%20%E2%80%93%20and%20aims%20to%20increase%20woodlands%20and%20tree%20cover%20to%20boost%20wildlife%2C%20help%20to%20mitigate%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20and%20provide%20access%20to%20nature%20for%20people.%0A%0ANearly%20three-quarters%20of%20the%20planned%20forest%E2%80%99s%20area%20is%20farmland%2C%20and%20the%20Western%20Forest%20will%20look%20to%20integrate%20trees%20into%20the%20farmed%20landscape%20through%20agroforestry%20and%20farm%20woodlands%2C%20which%20can%20regenerate%20soil%20and%20protect%20against%20drought%20and%20flood%20while%20producing%20food.%0A%0AThe%20project%20would%20also%20work%20to%20revitalise%20existing%20woodlands%20and%20other%20important%20natural%20habitats%2C%20officials%20at%20the%20Department%20for%20Environment%2C%20Food%20and%20Rural%20Affairs%20(Defra)%20said.%20In%20addition%20to%202%2C500%20hectares%20of%20new%20woodland%2C%20there%20are%20plans%20to%20bring%201%2C500%20hectares%20(3%2C700%20acres)%20more%20into%20sustainable%20management%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20Western%20Forest%20would%20be%20spearheaded%20by%20the%20Forest%20of%20Avon%2C%20one%20of%20England%E2%80%99s%20community%20forests%2C%20and%20supported%20by%20up%20to%20%C2%A37.5m%20of%20government%20funding%20over%20five%20years%2C%20Defra%20said.%20The%20money%20will%20help%20create%20new%20woodland%20that%20connects%20established%20woods%2C%20as%20well%20as%20creating%20mixed%20habitat%20and%20supporting%20community%20planting%20in%20locations%20where%20trees%20can%20contribute%20to%20alleviating%20floods%20and%20slowing%20flows%20of%20water%20in%20storms.%0A%0AThe%20nature%20minister%2C%20Mary%20Creagh%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20will%20plant%2020m%20trees%20in%20the%20Western%20Forest%20to%20bring%20nature%20closer%20to%20people%2C%20prevent%20flooding%20and%20support%20wildlife.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAlex%20Stone%2C%20the%20chief%20executive%20of%20the%20Forest%20of%20Avon%20Trust%2C%20said%20the%20project%20would%20enhance%20landscapes%20and%20improve%20the%20lives%20of%20the%20region%E2%80%99s%202.5%20million%20residents%2C%20as%20well%20as%20visitors%20to%20the%20area.%0A%0AShe%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Western%20Forest%20will%20enhance%2C%20connect%20and%20improve%20our%20urban%20and%20rural%20landscapes%2C%20support%20investment%20into%20the%20region%2C%20create%20jobs%20and%20skills%20opportunities%20and%20bring%20the%20endless%20benefits%20we%20get%20back%20from%20planting%20and%20caring%20for%20our%20trees.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20National%20Forest%20chief%20executive%2C%20John%20Everitt%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20initiative%20builds%20on%20the%20success%20of%20the%20National%20Forest%20in%20the%20Midlands%2C%20where%20planting%20more%20than%209.8m%20trees%20has%20transformed%20the%20landscape%2C%20benefiting%20wildlife%2C%20communities%20and%20the%20economy.%E2%80%9D

New 20m-tree forest planned in the west of England

Biomas%2C%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fgreen-spots%2Freforestation%2FBrazil%22%3EBrazilian%20reforestation%3C%2Fa%3E%20venture%20backed%20by%20several%20corporate%20heavyweights%2C%20on%20Friday%20unveiled%20its%20first%20project%2C%20aiming%20to%20restore%201%2C200%20hectares%20(2%2C965%20acres)%20of%20Brazil's%20coastal%20Atlantic%20rainforest%20with%20over%2070%20native%20tree%20species.%0A%0AThe%20project%20is%20a%20milestone%20for%20the%20company%20created%20in%202022%20by%20miner%20Vale%20(VALE3.SA)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%2C%20meatpacker%20Marfrig%20(MRFG3.SA)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%2C%20pulpmaker%20Suzano%20(SUZB3.SA)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%20and%20lenders%20Santander%20Brasil%20(SANB3.SA)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%2C%20Itau%20(ITUB4.SA)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%20and%20Rabobank.%0A%0AIt%20comes%20as%20Brazil's%20nascent%20carbon%20removal%20industry%20gains%20scale%2C%20with%20major%20reforestation%20projects%20already%20underway%20from%20startups%20Mombak%20and%20re.green%20offering%20credits%20for%20companies%20to%20voluntarily%20offset%20their%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%0A%0AThose%20two%20developers%20bought%20land%20from%20farmers%20and%20ranchers%20or%20partnered%20with%20them%20to%20reforest%20parts%20of%20the%20Amazon%2C%20while%20Biomas%20is%20starting%20with%20a%20stretch%20of%20Atlantic%20rainforest%20in%20the%20state%20of%20Bahia%20and%20evaluating%20future%20projects%20in%20the%20Amazon.%0A%0AThe%20inaugural%20project%2C%20named%20Mucununga%2C%20will%20invest%20some%2055%20million%20reais%20(%249.7%20million)%20to%20reforest%20land%20owned%20by%20eucalyptus%20pulp%20producer%20Veracel%20Celulose.%0A%0A%22The%20Atlantic%20rainforest%20is%20a%20biodiversity%20hotspot%2C%22%20Biomas%20CEO%20Fabio%20Sakamoto%20said%20in%20an%20interview%2C%20noting%20local%20infrastructure%20and%20confidence%20in%20the%20land%20titles%20contributed%20to%20the%20decision%20to%20start%20with%20the%20coastal%20biome.%0A%0AOver%20two%20thirds%20of%20Brazil's%20population%20lives%20in%20the%20corridor%20once%20covered%20by%20the%20Atlantic%20rainforest%2C%20including%20the%20states%20of%20Sao%20Paulo%20and%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro.%20Scientists%20estimate%20that%20only%2012%25%20of%20the%20original%20forest%20is%20still%20standing.%0A%0A%22Our%20focus%20is%20on%20both%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fgreen-spot%2Frestoring-the-atlantic-forest-of-south-america-in-argentina-brazil-and-paraguay%2Fiu2vlluskaxnr%22%3EAtlantic%20rainforest%20%3C%2Fa%3Eand%20the%20Amazon.%20We%20have%20been%20mapping%20opportunities%20in%20both%20biomes%20for%20the%20past%20couple%20of%20years%2C%22%20Sakamoto%20added.%0A%0ABiomas%20expects%20to%20plant%202%20million%20trees%20in%20the%20Mucununga%20project%20to%20generate%20around%20500%2C000%20carbon%20credits%20over%2040%20years.%20Each%20credit%20is%20meant%20to%20compensate%20one%20ton%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20emissions.%0A%0AThe%20company%20has%20a%20wide%20goal%20of%20restoring%202%20million%20hectares%20of%20degraded%20or%20unproductive%20land%20over%20the%20next%2020%20years.

Biomas launches first Brazil reforestation project

Brazilian%20President%20Luiz%20In%C3%A1cio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20announced%20a%20landmark%20%241%20billion%20pledge%20to%20the%20Tropical%20Forests%20Forever%20Facility%20(TFFF)%2C%20a%20new%20international%20fund%20aimed%20at%20protecting%20endangered%20tropical%20forests.%20The%20announcement%20was%20made%20during%20a%20United%20Nations%20event%20in%20New%20York%2C%20positioning%20Brazil%20as%20the%20first%20nation%20to%20contribute%20financially%20to%20the%20initiative.%0A%0AThis%20investment%20underscores%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20climate%20leadership%20ahead%20of%20COP30%2C%20the%20UN%20climate%20summit%20set%20to%20take%20place%20in%20Bel%C3%A9m%2C%20in%20the%20Amazon%20region%2C%20this%20November.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBrazil%20takes%20the%20lead%20in%20climate%20finance%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APresident%20Lula%20emphasized%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20driving%20global%20forest%20conservation%20efforts%2C%20urging%20both%20developed%20and%20developing%20nations%20to%20match%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20ambition%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBrazil%20will%20lead%20by%20example.%20I%20invite%20all%20partners%20present%20to%20put%20forward%20equally%20ambitious%20contributions%20so%20that%20the%20TFFF%20can%20become%20operational%20at%20COP30.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20Brazilian%20government%20hopes%20this%20early%20pledge%20will%20inspire%20wealthy%20nations%2C%20emerging%20economies%2C%20and%20private%20investors%20to%20contribute%2C%20bridging%20long-standing%20funding%20gaps%20in%20international%20climate%20policy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGlobal%20reactions%20to%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20climate%20initiative%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABrazil%E2%80%99s%20bold%20move%20resonated%20strongly%20with%20international%20leaders.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Razan%20Khalifa%20Al%20Mubarak%2C%20UAE%20Special%20Envoy%20for%20Nature%2C%20praised%20the%20initiative%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Cturning%20point%E2%80%9D%20and%20highlighted%20it%20as%20a%20Global%20South%E2%80%93led%20innovation%20in%20climate%20finance.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Andreas%20Bjelland%20Eriksen%2C%20Norway%E2%80%99s%20Climate%20and%20Environment%20Minister%2C%20applauded%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20pledge%20and%20called%20for%20rapid%20expansion%20of%20donor%20countries%20to%20maximize%20the%20TFFF%E2%80%99s%20impact.%0A%0AInitial%20signals%20of%20support%20have%20already%20come%20from%20China%2C%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20France%2C%20Germany%2C%20Singapore%2C%20and%20the%20United%20Arab%20Emirates%2C%20according%20to%20insiders%20familiar%20with%20negotiations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EThe%20vision%3A%20a%20%24125%20billion%20endowment%20for%20forest%20protection%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Tropical%20Forests%20Forever%20Facility%20is%20designed%20as%20a%20%24125%20billion%20climate%20fund%2C%20blending%20public%20and%20private%20investments.%20The%20model%20functions%20like%20an%20endowment%2C%20providing%20countries%20with%20annual%20payments%20based%20on%20the%20size%20of%20their%20preserved%20tropical%20forests.%0A%0ATo%20reach%20this%20ambitious%20target%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Governments%20and%20major%20philanthropies%20are%20expected%20to%20contribute%20the%20first%20%2425%20billion.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20This%20seed%20funding%20is%20projected%20to%20attract%20an%20additional%20%24100%20billion%20from%20private%20investors%2C%20according%20to%20preliminary%20estimates.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20this%20matters%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWith%20deforestation%20threatening%20biodiversity%2C%20carbon%20storage%2C%20and%20global%20climate%20stability%2C%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20leadership%20could%20be%20a%20catalyst%20for%20transformative%20climate%20finance.%20By%20spearheading%20the%20TFFF%2C%20Brazil%20is%20signaling%20that%20tropical%20forest%20nations%20can%20drive%20the%20climate%20agenda%20while%20also%20demanding%20stronger%20commitments%20from%20wealthier%20economies.%0A

Brazil pledges $1 billion to tropical forest fund

The%20European%20Commission%20has%20unveiled%20new%20adjustments%20to%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20landmark%20anti-deforestation%20regulation%2C%20easing%20compliance%20requirements%20for%20smallholders%20and%20businesses%20while%20confirming%20the%20policy%20will%20take%20effect%20at%20the%20end%20of%202025.%0A%0AInitially%2C%20the%20EU%20anti-deforestation%20law%E2%80%94designed%20to%20block%20the%20import%20of%20products%20linked%20to%20forest%20destruction%20such%20as%20palm%20oil%2C%20cocoa%2C%20soy%2C%20beef%2C%20coffee%2C%20and%20timber%E2%80%94was%20scheduled%20to%20begin%20at%20the%20end%20of%202024.%20Following%20a%20one-year%20postponement%20announced%20last%20December%20and%20a%20further%20delay%20in%20September%2C%20the%20Commission%20now%20proposes%20the%20law%E2%80%99s%20official%20start%20date%20as%20December%2030%2C%202025.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EReduced%20reporting%20burdens%20for%20small%20and%20medium%20operators%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20simplify%20compliance%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20introduced%20measures%20aimed%20at%20reducing%20the%20administrative%20load.%20Under%20the%20latest%20proposal%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Smallholders%20from%20low-risk%20countries%E2%80%94including%20the%20United%20States%2C%20Canada%2C%20India%2C%20China%2C%20and%20Australia%E2%80%94will%20only%20need%20to%20submit%20a%20one-time%20registration%20declaration.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Larger%20businesses%20will%20receive%20a%20six-month%20grace%20period%20before%20full%20inspections%20and%20enforcement%20begin%2C%20starting%20June%2030%2C%202026.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Small%20companies%20with%20fewer%20than%2050%20employees%20will%20be%20required%20to%20submit%20compliance%20declarations%20from%20December%2030%2C%202026.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20these%20relaxed%20measures%20will%20not%20apply%20to%20%E2%80%9Cstandard-risk%E2%80%9D%20nations%20such%20as%20Brazil%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20and%20Malaysia%2C%20where%20deforestation%20remains%20a%20significant%20concern.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGrowing%20pushback%20against%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20green%20agenda%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20deforestation%20regulation%20forms%20a%20central%20pillar%20of%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20broader%20Green%20Deal%2C%20but%20the%20initiative%20has%20faced%20strong%20opposition%20from%20various%20industries%20and%20governments.%20Critics%20argue%20that%20the%20environmental%20rules%20are%20too%20costly%20and%20complex%2C%20potentially%20threatening%20competitiveness%20and%20trade.%20Major%20trading%20partners%E2%80%94including%20Brazil%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20and%20the%20United%20States%E2%80%94warn%20that%20the%20legislation%20could%20disrupt%20exports%20and%20increase%20compliance%20costs.%0A%0ADespite%20resistance%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20insists%20the%20law%20is%20crucial%20to%20ensuring%20that%20goods%20sold%20within%20the%20EU%20are%20deforestation-free%20and%20environmentally%20sustainable.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELegislative%20approval%20still%20pending%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABefore%20taking%20effect%2C%20the%20proposal%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20EU%20member%20states%2C%20leaving%20room%20for%20additional%20amendments.%20The%20move%20comes%20amid%20a%20broader%20trend%20of%20regulatory%20simplification%20across%20the%20bloc%2C%20as%20seen%20in%20recent%20adjustments%20to%20CO%E2%82%82%20emission%20targets%2C%20corporate%20sustainability%20reporting%2C%20and%20supply%20chain%20transparency%20rules.%0A

EU delays and eases deforestation law 2025

Google%20has%20announced%20its%20largest-ever%20investment%20in%20carbon%20removal%20credits%2C%20partnering%20with%20Brazilian%20reforestation%20startup%20Mombak%20to%20help%20restore%20parts%20of%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest.%20The%20landmark%20agreement%20aims%20to%20offset%20200%2C000%20metric%20tons%20of%20carbon%20emissions%2C%20marking%20a%20major%20step%20in%20Big%20Tech%E2%80%99s%20race%20to%20find%20high-quality%20carbon%20offsets%20for%20energy-intensive%20AI%20data%20centers.%0A%0AThis%20new%20contract%20is%20four%20times%20larger%20than%20Google%E2%80%99s%20initial%20pilot%20deal%20with%20Mombak%2C%20which%20launched%20in%20September%202024.%20While%20both%20companies%20declined%20to%20disclose%20the%20deal%E2%80%99s%20value%2C%20it%20underscores%20how%20global%20technology%20giants%20are%20increasingly%20investing%20in%20reforestation%20and%20sustainable%20carbon%20removal%20projects%20to%20counterbalance%20their%20environmental%20impact.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBig%20tech%E2%80%99s%20growing%20demand%20for%20carbon%20removal%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGoogle%E2%80%99s%20parent%20company%2C%20Alphabet%2C%20has%20already%20pledged%20over%20%24100%20million%20toward%20carbon%20capture%20and%20removal%20technologies%E2%80%94ranging%20from%20enhanced%20rock%20weathering%20and%20biochar%20to%20direct%20air%20capture.%20However%2C%20the%20tech%20leader%20says%20that%20nature-based%20solutions%20like%20tree%20planting%20remain%20the%20most%20effective%20and%20scalable%20method.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20most%20reliable%20technology%20for%20removing%20carbon%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20is%20photosynthesis%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Randy%20Spock%2C%20Google%E2%80%99s%20Head%20of%20Carbon%20Credits%20and%20Removal.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBrazil%20leads%20the%20global%20reforestation%20movement%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAs%20host%20of%20this%20month%E2%80%99s%20United%20Nations%20COP30%20Climate%20Summit%20in%20Bel%C3%A9m%2C%20Amazon%2C%20Brazil%20has%20branded%20the%20event%20the%20%E2%80%9CForest%20COP%2C%E2%80%9D%20highlighting%20conservation%20initiatives%20like%20the%20newly%20announced%20Tropical%20Forests%20Forever%20Facility%2C%20backed%20by%20Norway%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20and%20Brazil%20with%20a%20combined%20%245%20billion%20commitment.%0A%0AThe%20country%E2%80%99s%20rapidly%20growing%20reforestation%20industry%20is%20attracting%20global%20investment%2C%20as%20companies%20like%20Google%20look%20to%20support%20projects%20that%20restore%20degraded%20pastures%20into%20native%20rainforest%20ecosystems%20while%20ensuring%20measurable%20climate%20impact.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGoogle%20chooses%20quality%20over%20controversy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnlike%20many%20corporations%2C%20Google%20avoids%20REDD%2B%20credits%2C%20which%20compensate%20for%20avoided%20deforestation%20but%20have%20been%20criticized%20for%20potential%20fraud%20and%20weak%20oversight.%20Instead%2C%20the%20company%20has%20%E2%80%9Cquadrupled%20down%20on%20Mombak%E2%80%9D%20due%20to%20its%20transparent%20and%20scientifically%20sound%20approach%2C%20according%20to%20Spock.%0A%0AMombak%20CEO%20Gabriel%20Silva%20said%20the%20company%20is%20benefiting%20from%20a%20%E2%80%9Cflight%20to%20quality%E2%80%9D%20as%20major%20buyers%20move%20away%20from%20low-quality%20or%20fraudulent%20offset%20schemes.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20past%2C%20companies%20bought%20carbon%20credits%20without%20understanding%20their%20origin.%20Now%2C%20they%20demand%20transparency%20and%20measurable%20impact%2C%E2%80%9D%20Silva%20noted.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EThe%20symbiosis%20coalition%3A%20setting%20a%20new%20standard%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20elevate%20the%20credibility%20of%20nature-based%20carbon%20removal%2C%20Google%20co-founded%20the%20Symbiosis%20Coalition%20alongside%20Meta%2C%20Microsoft%2C%20Salesforce%2C%20and%20McKinsey.%20The%20coalition%20has%20since%20expanded%20to%20include%20Bain%20%26%20Company%20and%20REI%20Co-op%2C%20committing%20to%20contract%20over%2020%20million%20tons%20of%20high-quality%20carbon%20offsets%20by%202030.%0A%0ATheir%20stringent%20criteria%20include%20transparent%20carbon%20accounting%2C%20long-term%20ecosystem%20preservation%2C%20and%20biodiversity%20and%20community%20benefits.%20Out%20of%20185%20projects%20reviewed%2C%20Mombak%E2%80%99s%20initiative%20was%20the%20first%20to%20meet%20these%20rigorous%20standards%2C%20according%20to%20Symbiosis%20Executive%20Director%20Julia%20Strong.%0A%0ABrazil%20currently%20leads%20all%20nations%20in%20the%20number%20of%20projects%20seeking%20coalition%20endorsement%E2%80%94a%20trend%20expected%20to%20accelerate%20as%20the%20carbon%20offset%20market%20matures.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERising%20prices%20reflect%20high%20demand%20and%20limited%20supply%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAs%20demand%20for%20verified%2C%20high-integrity%20carbon%20credits%20outpaces%20supply%2C%20prices%20have%20surged.%20While%20REDD%20credits%20may%20cost%20under%20%2410%20per%20ton%2C%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20reforestation%20projects%20often%20command%20%2450%20to%20%24100%20per%20ton.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCompanies%20are%20becoming%20more%20efficient%20at%20reducing%20production%20costs%2C%E2%80%9D%20Silva%20explained.%20%E2%80%9CBut%20for%20now%2C%20demand%20for%20credible%20offsets%20far%20exceeds%20what%20the%20market%20can%20deliver.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20chapter%20in%20corporate%20climate%20responsibility%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGoogle%E2%80%99s%20deal%20with%20Mombak%20represents%20more%20than%20a%20carbon%20offset%E2%80%94it%E2%80%99s%20a%20strategic%20investment%20in%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20natural%20infrastructure.%20By%20channeling%20funds%20into%20Amazon%20rainforest%20restoration%2C%20the%20company%20strengthens%20its%20position%20as%20a%20leader%20in%20corporate%20climate%20action%2C%20setting%20an%20example%20for%20the%20tech%20industry%E2%80%99s%20transition%20toward%20a%20net-zero%20future.

Google funds Amazon rainforest restoration

European%20countries%20have%20endorsed%20a%20%242.5%20billion%20initiative%20to%20safeguard%20the%20Congo%20rainforest%2C%20disclosed%20the%20French%20presidency%20at%20the%20United%20Nations%20climate%20summit.%20This%20launch%20may%20overshadow%20the%20flagship%20programme%20of%20host%20country%20Brazil%20at%20COP30.%0A%0ASecuring%20increased%20funding%20to%20protect%20and%20restore%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20remaining%20rainforests%20is%20a%20cornerstone%20of%20this%20year%E2%80%99s%20UN%20climate%20talks%E2%80%94purposely%20set%20in%20the%20Brazilian%20Amazon%20to%20highlight%20the%20urgency%20of%20curbing%20emissions%20from%20deforestation.%0A%0ACalled%20the%20%E2%80%9CBelem%20Call%20for%20the%20Forests%20of%20the%20Congo%20Basin%E2%80%9D%2C%20the%20programme%E2%80%94led%20by%20France%20and%20Gabon%20and%20backed%20by%20Germany%2C%20Norway%2C%20Belgium%20and%20Britain%E2%80%94was%20first%20reported%20by%20Reuters%20and%20later%20confirmed%20by%20France.%20The%20European%20Commission%2C%20the%20World%20Bank%20and%20the%20African%20Development%20Bank%20have%20also%20signed%20on.%20The%20scheme%20plans%20to%20mobilise%20over%20%242.5%20billion%20in%20the%20next%20five%20years%2C%20complemented%20by%20domestic%20funding%20from%20Central%20African%20nations%2C%20to%20help%20conserve%20the%20second-largest%20rainforest%20globally.%0A%0AParticipants%20say%20the%20initiative%20will%20support%20African%20nations%20in%20cutting%20deforestation%20through%20technology%2C%20training%20and%20partnerships%2C%20targeting%20the%20end%20of%20rainforest%20loss%20in%20the%20Congo%20Basin%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20world%E2%80%99s%20major%20rainforests%20%E2%80%94%20the%20Amazon%20in%20Brazil%2C%20the%20Congo%20Basin%20in%20Central%20Africa%2C%20and%20the%20Borneo-Mekong%20region%20in%20Southeast%20Asia%20%E2%80%94%20are%20all%20under%20threat%20from%20expanded%20farming%2C%20logging%2C%20mining%20and%20other%20industrial%20activities.%20The%20Congo%20Basin%20spans%20at%20least%20six%20African%20countries%2C%20with%20the%20largest%20share%20located%20within%20the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo.%0A%0AThe%20initiative%20comes%20at%20a%20significant%20moment%3A%20the%20Congo%20rainforest%20is%20now%20taking%20in%20more%20net%20greenhouse%20gases%20than%20any%20other%20forest%20area.%20Meanwhile%2C%20its%20launch%20could%20divert%20attention%20from%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20global%20forest%20fund%2C%20central%20to%20its%20COP30%20agenda.%20Brazilian%20President%20Luiz%20In%C3%A1cio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20has%20promoted%20the%20Tropical%20Forests%20Forever%20Facility%20(TFFF)%20as%20the%20new%20model%20for%20climate%20finance%E2%80%94shifting%20from%20grant-based%20funding%20to%20scalable%20investment%20structures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20theory%2C%20both%20initiatives%20differ%20markedly%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20a%20diplomat%20familiar%20with%20both%20proposals%2C%20noting%20that%20while%20the%20TFFF%20offers%20annual%20payments%20to%20rainforest%20nations%20without%20conditional%20strings%2C%20the%20coexistence%20of%20two%20high-profile%20rainforest%20funds%20may%20create%20confusing%20optics.%0A%0AOn%20the%20same%20day%2C%20Norway%20pledged%20%243%20billion%20to%20the%20TFFF%2C%20marking%20its%20largest%20contribution%20to%20date%3B%20France%20indicated%20it%20could%20commit%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC500%20million%20to%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20initiative%3B%20Germany%20vowed%20a%20%E2%80%9Csignificant%E2%80%9D%20contribution%20as%20well.

$2.5B plan to save the Congo rainforest

Gabon%20has%20taken%20a%20major%20step%20toward%20safeguarding%20its%20rich%20Congo%20Basin%20rainforests%20by%20signing%20a%20landmark%20conservation%20agreement%20with%20an%20international%20coalition%20of%20donors.%20The%20initiative%2C%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9CGabon%20Infini%2C%E2%80%9D%20aims%20to%20protect%2034%2C000%20square%20kilometers%20(13%2C000%20square%20miles)%20of%20biodiverse%20tropical%20forest%E2%80%94one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20critical%20carbon%20sinks.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20deal%2C%20the%20program%20will%20receive%20%2494%20million%20in%20donor%20funding%20from%20organizations%20such%20as%20the%20Bezos%20Earth%20Fund%20and%20the%20Global%20Environment%20Facility%2C%20combined%20with%20%2486%20million%20in%20government%20investment%20over%20the%20next%20decade.%20The%20financing%20structure%20follows%20the%20increasingly%20popular%20Project%20Finance%20for%20Permanence%20(PFP)%20model%2C%20which%20links%20long-term%20conservation%20funding%20to%20measurable%20government%20policy%20commitments.%0A%0AThis%20approach%20is%20gaining%20traction%20worldwide.%20Brazil%20recently%20launched%20a%20similar%20PFP%20agreement%20covering%20nearly%20243%2C000%20square%20kilometers%20of%20Amazon%20rainforest%2C%20while%20Kenya%20and%20Namibia%20are%20preparing%20their%20own%20versions.%0A%0AGabon%20plays%20a%20vital%20ecological%20role%20in%20the%20Congo%20Basin.%20Roughly%2090%25%20of%20the%20country%20remains%20blanketed%20by%20tropical%20rainforest%2C%20sheltering%20more%20than%20half%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20remaining%20African%20forest%20elephants%20and%20about%2025%25%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20western%20lowland%20gorillas.%20The%20Gabon%20Infini%20program%20aims%20to%20expand%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20protected%20areas%2C%20strengthen%20anti-poaching%20operations%E2%80%94especially%20against%20elephant%20poaching%E2%80%94and%20create%20new%20opportunities%20in%20eco-tourism.%0A%0AThe%20initiative%20builds%20on%20Gabon%E2%80%99s%202023%20debt-for-nature%20swap%2C%20which%20refinanced%20%24500%20million%20in%20national%20debt%20and%20redirected%20part%20of%20the%20savings%20toward%20coastal%20conservation.%20However%2C%20concerns%20about%20Gabon%E2%80%99s%20economic%20stability%20have%20resurfaced.%20A%20draft%202026%20budget%20approved%20in%20September%20calls%20for%20nearly%20doubling%20public%20spending%2C%20with%20credit%20rating%20agencies%20warning%20that%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20debt-to-GDP%20ratio%20could%20rise%20to%20almost%2090%25%2C%20up%20from%2073%25%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20previous%20year.%0A%0ADespite%20the%20financial%20pressures%2C%20national%20leaders%20and%20conservation%20experts%20describe%20the%20new%20agreement%20as%20a%20turning%20point.%20Former%20minister%20Maurice%20Ntossui%20Allogo%2C%20who%20has%20led%20development%20of%20the%20plan%2C%20called%20the%20Letter%20of%20Intent%20a%20%E2%80%9Cdecisive%20milestone%E2%80%9D%20in%20Gabon%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20strategy.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Ryan%20Demmy%20Bidwell%20of%20The%20Nature%20Conservancy%E2%80%94one%20of%20the%20key%20partners%20in%20the%20project%E2%80%94Gabon%E2%80%99s%20unique%20value%20lies%20in%20its%20vast%2C%20intact%20forests.%20He%20noted%20that%20Gabon%20Infini%20will%20help%20expand%20protected%20coverage%20from%20roughly%2015%25%20to%2030%25%20of%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20rainforest.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20hope%20Gabon%20becomes%20a%20blueprint%20for%20conservation%20across%20the%20Congo%20Basin%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20Africa%2C%E2%80%9D%20Bidwell%20said.

Gabon unveils $180m plan to protect Congo forests

Ghana%E2%80%99s%20government%20has%20announced%20a%20complete%20prohibition%20on%20mining%20activities%20within%20designated%20forest%20reserves%20in%20a%20bold%20effort%20to%20reduce%20environmental%20harm.%20The%20new%20policy%20reverses%20a%20controversial%202022%20regulation%20that%20previously%20permitted%20limited%20mining%20under%20strict%20conditions.%20%0A%0AThe%20ban%20targets%20rampant%20illegal%20small-scale%20mining%2C%20known%20locally%20as%20galamsey%2C%20which%20has%20ravaged%20landscapes%20across%20the%20country%20%E2%80%94%20polluting%20rivers%2C%20destroying%20forests%20and%20encroaching%20on%20cocoa%20farms%20in%20regions%20such%20as%20Ashanti%2C%20Western%20and%20Eastern.%20%0A%0AUnder%20the%20updated%20legal%20framework%2C%20which%20came%20into%20force%20after%20a%2021-day%20constitutional%20waiting%20period%2C%20authorities%20now%20have%20firmer%20tools%20to%20defend%20Ghana%E2%80%99s%20natural%20assets%2C%20including%20water%20resources%20and%20arable%20land.%20The%20Ministry%20of%20Environment%2C%20Science%20and%20Technology%20says%20the%20measure%20is%20critical%20for%20sustainable%20development.%20%0A%0AOfficials%20and%20environmental%20advocates%20alike%20have%20welcomed%20the%20decision%2C%20though%20many%20stress%20that%20enforcement%20and%20broader%20forest%20recovery%20initiatives%20are%20essential%20to%20fully%20address%20the%20damage%20caused%20by%20illegal%20mining.%20%0A%0AMajor%20industrial%20gold%20producers%20operating%20in%20Ghana%2C%20including%20global%20firms%2C%20have%20reported%20frequent%20incursions%20by%20unauthorized%20miners%20on%20their%20concessions%20%E2%80%94%20prompting%20increased%20spending%20on%20security%20systems%2C%20surveillance%20and%20community%20engagement%20programs%20to%20protect%20their%20operations.%20%0A%0AActing%20Environment%20Minister%20Emmanuel%20Armah-Kofi%20Buah%20highlighted%20the%20broader%20benefits%20of%20healthy%20forest%20ecosystems%2C%20noting%20that%20they%20support%20rainfall%2C%20protect%20farmland%20and%20secure%20clean%20water%20for%20future%20generations.%20

Ghana enforces mining ban in forest reserves

A%20significant%20new%20climate%20investment%20is%20set%20to%20enhance%20long-term%20conservation%20efforts%20across%20more%20than%2015%20million%20hectares%20of%20the%20Peruvian%20Amazon%20while%20strengthening%20Indigenous-led%20climate%20resilience%20initiatives.%0A%0AThe%20Green%20Climate%20Fund%20(GCF)%20has%20approved%20a%20%2437.5%20million%20grant%20for%20Peru%E2%80%99s%20flagship%20initiative%2C%20Natural%20Legacy%20%E2%80%93%20Amazon%20%26%20Climate%20(PdP%20A%26C).%20With%20total%20funding%20reaching%20%2474.5%20million%E2%80%94including%20%2437%20million%20in%20co-financing%E2%80%94this%20program%20will%20accelerate%20climate%20change%20mitigation%20and%20adaptation%20efforts%20throughout%20one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20critical%20ecosystems.%20The%20initiative%20will%20also%20support%20thousands%20of%20Indigenous%20people%20who%20depend%20on%20these%20protected%20landscapes%20for%20their%20livelihoods.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EStrengthening%20protected%20areas%20and%20community%20resilience%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20ambitious%20project%20unites%20the%20Government%20of%20Peru%2C%20Profonanpe%2C%20World%20Wildlife%20Fund%2C%20and%20eight%20Indigenous%20organizations.%20Together%2C%20they%20aim%20to%20improve%20management%20efficiency%20and%20ensure%20long-term%20financial%20sustainability%20for%2025%20Natural%20Protected%20Areas%20and%20four%20buffer%20zones%E2%80%94covering%20nearly%2018%25%20of%20the%20Peruvian%20Amazon.%0A%0AOver%20a%20seven-year%20period%2C%20the%20program%20is%20expected%20to%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Prevent%20approximately%201.8%20million%20tons%20of%20carbon%20emissions%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Enhance%20ecosystem%20management%20across%2015.8%20million%20hectares%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Benefit%20more%20than%2033%2C000%20people%20directly%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Enable%20nearly%2012%2C000%20individuals%20to%20adopt%20climate-resilient%20livelihoods%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELong-term%20financing%20for%20lasting%20climate%20impact%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20the%20GCF%20grant%2C%20the%20project%20includes%20%2437%20million%20in%20co-financing%20designed%20to%20transform%20how%20protected%20areas%20are%20funded.%20This%20approach%20will%20generate%20sustainable%20financial%20flows%20over%20the%20next%2025%20years%2C%20ensuring%20long-term%20environmental%20and%20climate%20benefits.%0A%0AProject%20implementation%20will%20be%20led%20by%20Profonanpe%20and%20the%20National%20Service%20of%20Natural%20Protected%20Areas%20(Sernanp)%2C%20focusing%20on%20protected%20area%20financing.%20Meanwhile%2C%20WWF-Peru%20and%20Indigenous%20partners%20will%20guide%20investments%20in%20Ecosystem-based%20Adaptation%20(EbA)%20and%20climate-resilient%20production%20systems%20in%20vulnerable%20communities.%0A%0AThis%20integrated%20strategy%20reduces%20environmental%20pressures%20while%20supporting%20sustainable%20livelihoods%20that%20depend%20on%20healthy%20ecosystems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EIndigenous%20leadership%20at%20the%20core%20of%20climate%20solutions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Carter%20Roberts%2C%20this%20initiative%20represents%20a%20major%20step%20forward%20in%20sustainable%20Amazon%20conservation%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20funding%20builds%20on%20years%20of%20progress%20in%20securing%20long-term%20financial%20protection%20for%20the%20Amazon%20while%20expanding%20support%20directly%20to%20Indigenous%20communities.%20By%20combining%20government%20leadership%2C%20Indigenous%20knowledge%2C%20and%20sustainable%20financing%2C%20we%20are%20creating%20a%20powerful%20model%20for%20protecting%20one%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20most%20vital%20ecosystems.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EClosing%20Peru%E2%80%99s%20protected%20area%20funding%20gap%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AA%20key%20component%20of%20the%20project%20is%20strengthening%20Patrimonio%20Natural%20del%20Per%C3%BA%2C%20a%20Project%20Finance%20for%20Permanence%20(PFP)%20initiative%20launched%20in%202019.%20This%20effort%20aims%20to%20eliminate%20a%20%245.3%20million%20annual%20funding%20shortfall%20within%20Peru%E2%80%99s%20protected%20area%20system.%0A%0ABy%20expanding%20innovative%20financing%20mechanisms%E2%80%94such%20as%20eco-tourism%20revenue%2C%20water-based%20ecosystem%20service%20payments%20(MERESE)%2C%20and%20environmental%20compensation%20schemes%E2%80%94the%20initiative%20is%20projected%20to%20mobilize%20%24131%20million%20in%20additional%20funding%20over%20the%20next%2025%20years.

Peruvian Amazon gains $74.5M climate boost

Massive%20wildfires%20are%20spreading%20across%20southern%20Europe%2C%20forcing%20thousands%20of%20residents%20to%20evacuate%20while%20disrupting%20major%20events%2C%20including%20the%20Tour%20de%20France.%20Authorities%20warn%20that%20extreme%20heat%2C%20dry%20vegetation%2C%20and%20powerful%20winds%20have%20created%20highly%20dangerous%20fire%20conditions%20following%20one%20of%20the%20hottest%20starts%20to%20summer%20on%20record.%0A%0AEmergency%20crews%20are%20battling%20multiple%20blazes%20across%20France%2C%20Spain%2C%20Portugal%2C%20and%20Greece%2C%20where%20nearly%2020%2C000%20hectares%20(about%2049%2C500%20acres)%20have%20already%20been%20consumed%20by%20fire.%20Meteorologists%20expect%20temperatures%20to%20climb%20again%20this%20week%2C%20with%20some%20regions%20forecast%20to%20reach%2040%C2%B0C%20(104%C2%B0F)%2C%20increasing%20the%20wildfire%20threat.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFrance%20battles%20expanding%20pyrenees%20wildfire%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20most%20severe%20fires%20is%20burning%20in%20the%20foothills%20of%20the%20French%20Pyrenees%2C%20close%20to%20the%20Spanish%20border.%20Around%20700%20firefighters%20are%20working%20to%20contain%20the%20blaze%2C%20which%20has%20scorched%20roughly%205%2C000%20hectares%20and%20forced%20the%20evacuation%20of%20more%20than%2010%2C000%20residents.%0A%0AFrench%20Interior%20Minister%20Laurent%20Nu%C3%B1ez%20warned%20that%20conditions%20have%20worsened%20once%20again%2C%20noting%20that%20wildfires%20are%20now%20active%20in%20five%20French%20departments.%20He%20also%20revealed%20that%20the%20total%20area%20burned%20in%20France%20this%20year%20has%20already%20doubled%20compared%20to%20the%20same%20period%20in%20the%20previous%20wildfire%20season.%0A%0AResidents%20described%20the%20fire's%20rapid%20advance%20as%20frightening.%20In%20the%20village%20of%20Tr%C3%A9villach%2C%20flames%20reportedly%20came%20within%20just%20300%20meters%20of%20homes%20as%20the%20wildfire%20expanded%20dramatically%20over%20a%20single%20day.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETour%20de%20France%20stage%20restricted%20due%20to%20fire%20danger%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20wildfire%20emergency%20has%20also%20affected%20the%20Tour%20de%20France.%20Officials%20prohibited%20spectators%20from%20gathering%20along%20Monday's%20third%20stage%20through%20the%20Pyrenees%2C%20allowing%20only%20cyclists%20and%20essential%20race%20vehicles%20to%20use%20the%20route.%0A%0ARegional%20authorities%20introduced%20the%20restrictions%20to%20reduce%20safety%20risks%20while%20emergency%20services%20continue%20firefighting%20operations%20nearby.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESpain%20faces%20multiple%20wildfire%20emergencies%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAcross%20the%20border%20in%20Catalonia%2C%20wildfire%20has%20burned%20approximately%202%2C200%20hectares%2C%20with%20nearly%20all%20of%20the%20damage%20occurring%20inside%20the%20protected%20Les%20Gavarres%20natural%20area.%20Fire%20officials%20reported%20that%20the%20blaze%20stretches%20across%20a%20perimeter%20of%20nearly%2040%20kilometers.%0A%0AAlthough%20firefighters%20say%20the%20situation%20has%20stabilized%2C%20numerous%20smoldering%20hotspots%20remain%2C%20and%20rising%20temperatures%20could%20quickly%20reignite%20active%20flames.%0A%0AFurther%20south%2C%20in%20Castell%C3%B3n%20Province%2C%20another%20wildfire%20spread%20into%20the%20Sierra%20de%20Espad%C3%A1n%20Natural%20Park%2C%20forcing%20the%20evacuation%20of%20more%20than%20500%20people%20as%20crews%20worked%20to%20prevent%20additional%20destruction.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EPortugal%20declares%20critical%20fire%20conditions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APortugal%20continues%20to%20battle%20one%20of%20the%20region's%20largest%20active%20wildfires%20near%20Vouzela%2C%20where%20over%201%2C200%20firefighters%2C%20nearly%20400%20emergency%20vehicles%2C%20and%2015%20aircraft%20have%20been%20deployed.%0A%0AThe%20blaze%2C%20which%20ignited%20last%20Thursday%2C%20has%20already%20devastated%20approximately%2013%2C000%20hectares%20of%20land.%20International%20assistance%20from%20Spain%20and%20Italy%20has%20strengthened%20firefighting%20efforts%2C%20with%20emergency%20officials%20reporting%20that%20roughly%2080%25%20of%20the%20fire%20is%20now%20under%20control%20despite%20ongoing%20risks.%0A%0APortugal's%20Interior%20Minister%20Lu%C3%ADs%20Neves%20described%20current%20conditions%20as%20a%20%22powder%20keg%2C%22%20highlighting%20the%20extreme%20danger%20posed%20by%20dry%20vegetation%20and%20persistent%20heat.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECroatia%2C%20Albania%2C%20and%20Greece%20also%20hit%20by%20wildfires%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWildfires%20have%20also%20caused%20significant%20damage%20elsewhere%20across%20southern%20Europe.%20Fires%20destroyed%20forests%2C%20vineyards%2C%20and%20scrubland%20on%20Croatia's%20Hvar%20Island%2C%20while%20additional%20blazes%20were%20reported%20near%20Tale%2C%20Albania.%0A%0AIn%20Greece%2C%20a%20major%20wildfire%20near%20Thessaloniki%20spread%20into%20two%20industrial%20facilities%2C%20including%20a%20recycling%20plant%20that%20released%20hazardous%20smoke.%20Authorities%20issued%20evacuation%20alerts%20for%20several%20suburbs%20and%20advised%20residents%20to%20remain%20indoors%20with%20windows%20and%20doors%20closed.%0A%0AAnother%20fast-moving%20wildfire%20erupted%20west%20of%20Athens%20near%20Mandra%2C%20where%20210%20firefighters%2C%20assisted%20by%20volunteers%2C%20specialized%20response%20units%2C%20and%2029%20aircraft%2C%20are%20working%20to%20contain%20flames%20spreading%20through%20dense%20pine%20forests.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EClimate%20change%20intensifies%20Europe's%20wildfire%20risk%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AScientists%20continue%20to%20link%20the%20worsening%20wildfire%20season%20to%20climate%20change.%20Following%20record-breaking%20heatwaves%20in%20May%20and%20June%2C%20landscapes%20across%20western%20and%20southern%20Europe%20have%20become%20exceptionally%20dry%2C%20creating%20ideal%20conditions%20for%20fast-moving%20fires.%0A%0AResearchers%20from%20the%20World%20Weather%20Attribution%20initiative%20concluded%20that%20the%20extraordinary%20temperatures%20recorded%20in%20June%20would%20have%20been%20virtually%20impossible%20without%20human-driven%20climate%20change.%0A%0AFire%20officials%20warn%20that%20this%20year's%20wildfire%20season%20is%20only%20beginning%2C%20with%20prolonged%20heat%2C%20drought%2C%20and%20strong%20winds%20expected%20to%20increase%20the%20likelihood%20of%20additional%20large-scale%20fires%20throughout%20the%20summer.%0A%0AAs%20southern%20Europe%20braces%20for%20another%20surge%20in%20extreme%20temperatures%2C%20emergency%20services%20remain%20on%20high%20alert%20while%20urging%20residents%20and%20visitors%20to%20follow%20evacuation%20orders%20and%20wildfire%20safety%20guidance.