Paris – December 01, 2015 – Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom have agreed to contribute 100 million USD to support Colombia’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) efforts to reduce deforestation in the county’s Amazon forests.
Colombia, Germany and Norway signed an agreement today in the margins of COP21 in Paris, while the United Kingdom is expected to approve its contribution through the German REDD for Early Movers (REM) program by the end of the year.
“These resources will help ensure benefits for the global climate and allow us to invest in building a new paradigm of sustainable development and peace building in our country’s forests,” said Gabriel Vallejo, Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development. “We want to show the world how peace in Colombia and green growth can work together and create a better future for all.”
This first of its kind partnership is unprecedented in scale and will pave the way for the implementation of Colombia’s Amazon Vision program, which is a comprehensive policy package supporting the country’s goal to achieve zero net deforestation in its Amazon forests by 2020.
The REDD+ pay-for-performance mechanism has been developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change initiative to recognize countries that succeed in reducing deforestation and thereby avoid emitting associated greenhouse gases.
The financial contributions of the three donor countries will be disbursed through the REM program against the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that would result from deforestation.
“Colombia has developed a comprehensive strategy to better protect its Amazon forests, and thereby contribute to climate change mitigation. The strategy is already converted to some actions, such as the establishment of huge protected areas. This makes the Colombian Amazon a perfect partner for our REDD+ for Early Movers program” said Gerd Müller, Germany’s Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Amazon Vision program has been supported since its inception by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), which has provided technical assistance to conceptualize and develop the program, and to support the Colombian government in preparing all the elements that enabled the agreement with REM donors.
“GGGI is very encouraged by the strong commitment demonstrated by the international donors and very pleased to have worked closely with Colombian government partners in the development and financing of strategic initiatives that will help preserve valuable forest resources and drive green growth in the Amazon, “ said Yvo de Boer, Director-General of GGGI.
GGGI has been working in Colombia to support national green growth efforts and the achievement of development goals since 2013.
Colombia is currently in the process of becoming a GGGI Member-Country.
About GGGI
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote green growth. The organization partners with countries to help them build economies that grow strongly, are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change. GGGI works with countries around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. To learn more, see https://gggi.org and visit us on Facebook and Twitter.