Question

To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to encourage greater international action against deforestation; and if he will make a statement.

The UK Government is fully committed to tackling global deforestation, working in partnership with international governments.

Under our COP26 Presidency we have established the Forests, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue. This aims to agree collaborative actions to reduce the impact of agriculture on tropical forests and other carbon-rich ecosystems, whilst investing in sustainable production and promoting trade.

More broadly, the Prime Minister recently pledged to spend £3bn on international climate change solutions that protect and restore nature and biodiversity over the next five years.

The UK Government is bringing forward world-leading due diligence legislation, making it illegal for large UK businesses to use key commodities if they have not been produced in line with local laws protecting forests and other natural ecosystems.