Stefan Labbé

Seven environmental groups are calling on the Canadian government to adopt a definition of “forest degradation” that includes “any reduction in a forest’s ecological integrity” caused by human activity. The call comes a day after countries of the world signed a new draft agreement to combat climate change and signal an “end to fossil fuels.” The revised global Stocktake stated that achieving the current global goal of halting global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius (ideally 1.5 C) can in part be achieved by “enhanced efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.” …Jennifer Skene, Natural Resources Defense Council, said there has been unprecedented ambition from policymakers, investors and others when it comes to halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation around the world.  “Canada has unfortunately been active internationally in opposing these efforts,” said Skene. “The international community can no longer afford Canada acting as a laggard.”