Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Tore O. Sandvik, announced a $20 million commitment to strengthen Colombia’s efforts to combat deforestation. This funding will support initiatives to protect one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and curb illegal deforestation in the Amazon, reinforcing a vital partnership for global environmental conservation.
“Colombia’s success in reducing deforestation demonstrates the power of effective measures. Last year, deforestation reached its lowest level in 23 years. Colombia has the second-largest biodiversity in the world, making this an environmental initiative on a global scale,” said Climate and Environment Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
This week, the Minister of Climate and Environment is participating in the international nature summit, COP16, in Cali, Colombia.
“Since 2015, Norway has been an important partner for Colombia. Through our results-based agreement, we have supported the government’s work against deforestation. This collaboration has strengthened law enforcement, promoted sustainable development in forest areas, supported Indigenous Peoples’ rights, protected and restored forests, and transformed agriculture,” Sandvik said.
Nature, environmental crime, and indigenous rights
In 2022, the Colombian government introduced an action plan to halt deforestation, which has yielded results. Deforestation in Colombia has drastically slowed in recent years, decreasing by 29 percent in 2022 and a further 36 percent last year.
The 20 million USD is new funding, to be invested in rainforest preservation efforts over three years. The funds will help combat large-scale illegal deforestation and environmental crime, , support the integration of forest conservation in the peace processes, and to strengthen sustainable forest management. This includes initiatives to provide small-scale farmers with alternative livelihoods to avoid resorting to deforestation and support to Indigenous peoples’ rights, enabling them to manage their territories.
Last year, Norway announced a contribution of 10 million dollars to Colombia for achieved results under the climate and forest partnership. Colombia has decided that this support will fund implementatison of Colombia’s recently launched action plan for nature.
Peace and Forests
Armed groups have significant influence over whether deforestation in the Amazon increases or decreases. Illegal activities such as cattle ranching, gold mining, cocaine production, and illegal logging contribute to deforestation and environmental destruction.
After the FARC guerrilla group disbanded in 2017, a power vacuum emerged in forest areas, leading to a sharp rise in illegal deforestation as forest areas became accessible to both small farmers and wealthy criminal networks. Since then, new guerrilla groups have gained strength, especially in the Amazon, where they control substantial areas. This means guerrilla groups have considerable influence over deforestation. Norway has been a key supporter of peace negotiations. In peace talks between various guerrilla groups and the government, environmental and forest conservation are important topics. The Climate and Forest Initiative supports projects that contribute to forest conservation as part of the peace process.