British Environment Minister Steve Barclay emphasized the UK’s commitment to preserving biodiversity, increasing food security, and addressing climate change at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
According to the official website of the UK Government, Barclay expressed concern over the impact of illegal deforestation on habitats of endangered species like tigers and cheetahs.
“It is saddening to see how illegal deforestation destroys the habitats of these creatures. Globally, we are losing forests equivalent to around 30 football fields every minute,” Barclay said.
Barclay highlighted the UK’s current efforts in cleaning supply chains to ensure major companies are not complicit in illegal deforestation activities.
He stressed the importance of protecting natural landscapes in the UK and globally for the benefit of future generations.
The British Government plans to include palm oil, cocoa, beef, leather, and soy in new legislations aimed at ensuring that consumer products do not harm the world’s forests.
The expansion of agriculture, reportedly equivalent to an area the size of the UK annually, is identified as the primary driver of deforestation, posing a significant threat as forests are vital for absorbing harmful gases and providing habitats for thousands of species.
Tanya Steele, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund, commented, “In just the past two years, nearly eight million hectares of primary forests have been lost globally.
Illegal deforestation is just a part of the problem as wildlife populations decrease and habitats face destruction.”
“We must stop deforestation entirely, as forests absorb 30% of the carbon emitted by burning fossil fuels.
Clearly, nature is our greatest ally in addressing climate change,” she added, emphasizing the urgency of implementing these measures to rejuvenate our world.
