Forests featured prominently across the COP30 agenda in Belem, reflecting their essential role in achieving the Paris Agreement and the Global Forest Goals. Negotiators advanced efforts on adaptation finance, emissions reductions and a just transition away from fossil fuels, all closely tied to protecting the world’s forests.
UN Chief calls for end to Deforestation by 2030
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to take urgent action to keep the 1.5°C goal alive, including tripling adaptation finance and accelerating clean energy. He stressed that halting and reversing deforestation by 2030 is vital to ensure forests remain a “shield, not a casualty”.
New global roadmaps announced
The COP30 Presidency launched two science-led global roadmaps: one to support the transition away from fossil fuels and another to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. More than 90 countries have backed the deforestation roadmap, with outcomes to be presented at COP31.
Breakthrough in forest finance
Brazil unveiled the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, aiming to mobilise up to USD 4 billion annually to reward countries that successfully halt deforestation. The initiative links verified forest conservation to direct finance, with strong support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Strengthening forest-positive economies
COP30 also promoted sustainable forest products and the global bioeconomy through the launch of the Bioeconomy Challenge and the Building for Forests Acceleration Plan, advancing forest-positive construction and improved timber value chains.
Forest pavilion highlights global cooperation
The Forest Pavilion, co-chaired by Brazil and Canada, hosted eleven days of dialogue, showcasing the role of forests in climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity and sustainable development. It highlighted regional perspectives, Indigenous leadership, governance, wildfire management and forest monitoring.
Across COP30, a clear message emerged: protecting and restoring forests is central to global climate action.
