Press Release Embargoed to 00:01 CET March 11, 2010 Post-Copenhagen Opportunity to Accelerate

WWF International

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Press Release Embargoed to 00:01 CET March 11, 2010

Post-Copenhagen opportunity to accelerate efforts to slow deforestation

Gland, Switzerland – An initiative bringing together key forest and donor countries today provides a critical opportunity to fast track action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), WWF said.

Broad agreement has already been reached on principles and safeguards of REDD+, despite no formal decision on these coming out of last year’s United Nations conference on climate change.

The REDD+ Partnership process, hosted by Norway and France, which holds its first meeting today, now provides an important chance to mobilize early action and financing for national REDD+ programmes.

“Slowing deforestation would help the world significantly cut global emissions,” said WWF Forest Carbon Initiative’s Leader Chris Elliott, “and that’s an opportunity we simply cannot ignore as any delay in reducing emissions only makes it more difficult to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees C.”

“ The REDD+ Partnership process must build real momentum for countries to move ahead with REDD+,” said Elliott, “It is important this remains an open and inclusive process.”

Countries have signalled their commitment to REDD+, with many developing countries, including Brazil and Indonesia, announcing targets for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. In Copenhagen, $3.5 billion was pledged for REDD+ by Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the UK and the US.

“With funding already flowing for REDD+, it is vital that benefits for people and biodiversity are a fundamental part of this effort to integrate forests into the climate change solution,” said Elliott. “REDD+ is not only about the carbon stored in forests and so we must ensure there are positive social and environmental impacts as REDD+ becomes a reality.”

- 30 - For further information:  Melissa Tupper, WWF Forest Carbon Initiative Communications, Washington DC tel: +1 202 495 4182, mobile: +1 202 569 0842, email: [email protected]

About WWF www.panda.org/media for latest news and media resources WWF– World Wide Fund For Nature (also known as World Wildlife Fund) WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

This brief was published by the Hothouse, WWF International, Ave. du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, +41 22 364 9238. The Hothouse team: Susan Brown ([email protected]), Adrian Dellecker ([email protected]), Tania Paratian ([email protected]), Kyle Hunter ([email protected]). page 2 of 2