November 9, 2016
COP22's Forest Action Day celebrations are a part of the Global Climate Action Agenda to protect, restore and sustainably manage forests.
Launched earlier on Tuesday by the climate champions for Morocco and France, Hakima El Haite and Laurence Tubiana, the Agenda aims to boost cooperation between governments, cities, businesses, investors and citizens to cut emissions and help vulnerable nations adapt to climate impacts and build their own clean energy and sustainable futures.
Speaking at a special event entitled "Global Climate Action Launch Event," Abdeladim Lhafi, Morocco's High Commissioner for Water, Forests and the Fight against Desertification, said that conserving, restoring and managing forests is essential to meeting global sustainable development goals, including combating desertification and water insecurity.
Lhafi announced that Morocco will launch a new initiative called "Strengthened Action in Favor of Forests in the Mediterranean-Sahel Region in the Context of Climate Change" (AFMS)....
...Deforestation and forest degradation currently contribute up to 12 percent of carbon emissions, more than the entire transport sector.
However, by halting deforestation, reducing and reversing forest degradation, forests could contribute significantly to the climate solution in the coming decades.
The COP22 Global Action Agenda will feature eight other theme days, namely water, industry and businesses, as well as resilience in cities, buildings, energy, transport, oceans and agriculture.
