The 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union continues in Bahrain. MP Ms. Christiana Erotokritou participated in a discussion of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development on "The role of parliaments towards achieving a negative carbon balance in forests".
Ms Erotokritou said that climate change and its consequences, which are becoming increasingly frequent and felt everywhere, require the achievement of a negative carbon footprint by 2050 in order to limit global warming, as provided for in the Paris Agreement.
The Cypriot MEP pointed out that the role of forests is vital for achieving climate stability, as due to their ability to capture and store carbon, forests have enormous potential not only to mitigate climate change, but also to preserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable economic growth. It is the duty of parliamentarians, she stressed, to recognise the need for international and national policies to respond to the climate stability risks caused by deforestation. She stressed that parliaments must work to implement the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda and ensure that the United Nations system, states and international and regional organizations effectively address the threats to climate, food security and sustainable economic development caused by deforestation.
Ms. Erotokritou further stressed that parliaments should invest in prevention measures by promoting legislation to end deforestation while strengthening efforts to protect forests and agroforestry in order to restore the environmental and economic benefits of forests. Finally, Ms Erotokritou pointed out that immediate and collective action by parliaments is needed to achieve global climate neutrality, which is essential for the preservation of life on earth.
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