**Headline**

AI-generated image

Global Leaders Pledge to Halt Deforestation by 2030 at COP26 Summit

**Subheadline**
World leaders representing more than 100 countries announce landmark deal to protect and restore forests, in a bid to combat climate change.

**Article Body**

[AI-generated image for illustrative purposes.]

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, leaders from over 100 countries collectively vowed to end deforestation by 2030. This landmark agreement, announced on Tuesday, comes as part of the worldwide effort to combat the escalating issue of climate change.

The countries that have endorsed this commitment, including major economies like Brazil, Russia, Canada, and the United States, together account for approximately 85% of the world’s forests. The commitment includes not only the cessation of deforestation but also the restoration of degraded lands.

While environmental groups welcomed the initiative, they also stressed the importance of implementation and warned against empty promises. In the past, similar pledges have been made with little to show in terms of tangible results.

In 2014, for instance, many countries signed the New York Declaration on Forests, with a goal to halve deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030. However, since the declaration, an area of forest equivalent to the size of California has been lost.

The COP26 deforestation pledge comes with a financial commitment of more than $19 billion from governments, private companies, and philanthropic organizations. This funding pool is intended to support the sustainable management of forests, promote the development of green supply chains, and help communities dependent on forests transition to sustainable livelihoods.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the host of the summit, hailed the agreement as a “game-changing commitment,” emphasizing the crucial role of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

“Every tree we plant, every forest we save, reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, helps to trap more of it, helps to reduce global warming, and helps to restore the balance of nature,” Johnson said.

However, critics have pointed out that the agreement does not address the root cause of deforestation: the global demand for commodities like beef, palm oil, and soy, which are major drivers of deforestation. They argue that without tackling these underlying issues, efforts to halt deforestation may not yield the desired results.

Additionally, there are concerns about the enforcement of the agreement. While the pledge has been signed by countries with significant forest cover, it is unclear how compliance will be monitored and what sanctions, if any, will be imposed on countries that fail to meet their commitments.

Despite these concerns, the pledge has been hailed as a significant step in the right direction. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) called it a “historic moment,” but also stressed that “the real work starts now.”

“We need to see these commitments translated into immediate, tangible action on the ground,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “We need to hold leaders accountable to ensure they deliver on their promises.”

The deforestation pledge is just one part of the broader climate change agenda at COP26. Other key topics include reducing carbon emissions, phasing out coal power, and providing financial support to developing nations to cope with the impacts of climate change.

The summit, which runs until November 12, has brought together world leaders, negotiators, and activists from around the globe to address the urgent need for action on climate change. As the conference enters its second week, the eyes of the world remain fixed on Glasgow, expecting significant progress in the fight against climate change.

**Hashtags**
#COP26 #Deforestation #ClimateChange #SustainableForestry #GlobalLeadersPledge