Archived press release

Carbon markets won't save the rainforest - we must tackle the root causes of deforestation

26 June 2009

Responding to the launch of the Environmental Audit Committee's report on how to stop emissions from deforestation, Mike Childs, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said:

"Money is important - but money alone won't save the rainforests, which are crucial to the health of our planet.

"The Environmental Audit Committee is right to rule out the use of carbon markets and carbon offsetting to stop deforestation. Proposals to allow rich countries to buy chunks of forest whilst continuing to pump out emissions should be off the table -they will trigger a land grab leaving millions of people worse off.

"Ministers must urgently tackle illegal logging, remove perverse targets for biofuels, and fix the food chain to end intensive farming that drives forest destruction."

Friends of the Earth is demanding that the Government changes its approach to climate change with its Demand Climate Change campaign. The green campaign group is asking everyone to sign its international petition to world leaders at www.demandclimatechange.org.

Notes to editors:

1. The report shows that stopping deforestation is an immensely complex problem, and one that cannot be solved by money alone. Friends of the Earth is also calling for increased finance for governance reform of at least $550 million (with upper estimates of up to $3.7 billion necessary).

2. Tackling the drivers of deforestation including the production of soya feed for intensive livestock production in Europe; biofuels production to reach EU and UK targets and illegal logging for timber exports - the UK is one of the world's largest importers of the commodity - should also be a priority.

3. Friends of the Earth is part of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the world's poorest communities. The coalition's supporter base of more than 11 million people spans over 100 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups. Together we demand practical action by the UK to keep temperatures well below an average 2 degree rise. For further information visit www.stopclimatechaos.org

If you are a journalist seeking press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Carbon markets won't save the rainforest - we must tackle the root causes of deforestation

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