Speech at UNREDD-meeting

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Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

 

In ten weeks we will meet in Copenhagen.

 We will meet to set a new course.

 A course that leads to reduced global emissions of greenhouse gases.

 A course towards a low-carbon future.

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Deforestation alone accounts for almost 20 per cent of total global emissions of greenhouse gases.

 Consequently, if we are to succeed in combating climate change, we must succeed in saving our forests.

 Through the collective efforts of those assembled here today, this can be done.

 Within a reasonably short period of time.

 And at a reasonable cost.

 And here I would like to commend the important work of the Informal Working Group on Interim Financing.

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To succeed we need well coordinated global action.

 Firstly,

We need international standards and support mechanisms for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions from deforestation.

 In this we are already making good progress.

 The UN REDD programme is one of our most important instruments.

 One year ago – on this very day – I was privileged to join Secretary-General Ban in launching this important programme here in New York.

 

Secondly,

We need to establish transparent and results-based economic incentives.  

The Brazilian Amazon Fund provides an excellent example of how this can be done.

(I would like to commend President Lula for his leadership.)  

 

Thirdly,

The developed countries must provide large-scale predictable funding.

Over time we must also create a framework for the private sector to contribute.

 

These three elements should form the basis of a new mechanism to reduce global deforestation.

Based on these elements,

Norway has submitted a proposal to the UN-led climate negotiations on the architecture of such a mechanism.  

 

We must make sure that a deforestation mechanism is included in the new climate agreement to be concluded in Copenhagen.

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Ladies and gentlemen,

By reducing deforestation we can achieve the largest, quickest and most cost-effective cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions possible at this stage.

We all have a responsibility to do our share.

Norway will provide 500 million US dollars annually to reduce deforestation.

Let us work together to save the world’s remaining tropical forests, and thereby help contain climate change.

 

Thank you.