Countries attending the Bonn Climate Conference 2026 debated how the world should halt deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, with major disagreements emerging over funding, accountability and responsibility.
The discussions focused on a new roadmap unveiled by the COP30 Presidency during the closing session of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The roadmap is designed to guide countries in aligning their forest conservation strategies, financing plans, and monitoring systems before 2030. However, it is not a legally binding agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
At a special session held on June 9 during the Bonn conference, rainforest nations, developed countries, and civil society groups shared differing views on how the plan should move forward.
Countries with large forest cover, including Guyana and Suriname, argued that the current global economic system rewards deforestation rather than conservation. They said nations that have protected their forests receive limited financial support, while countries that expand agriculture by clearing forests continue to attract investment.
Guyana called for dedicated and predictable financial mechanisms that would compensate countries for preserving forests. The Coalition for Rainforest Nations supported this demand and urged greater use of existing climate finance tools such as REDD+ and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Developed countries focused more on regulations and transparency. The European Union highlighted its Deforestation Regulation, which restricts imports of commodities linked to deforestation. The EU also called for stronger land-use targets and reforms to agricultural subsidies that encourage forest destruction.
Switzerland stressed the need for stronger reporting systems and transparency. It raised concerns about carbon credit integrity, double counting of emission reductions, and the lack of globally accepted definitions for forest degradation.
France promoted market based solutions, including biodiversity credits that place value on forests beyond their carbon storage capacity. It also encouraged blended finance models to attract private investment for forest protection.
Civil society organisations raised concerns about whether funding would actually reach Indigenous peoples and local communities, who manage and protect many of the world’s forests. According to activists, less than one percent of climate-related development assistance currently reaches these communities directly.
Representatives involved in the roadmap said efforts are being made to design national funding systems that can channel money directly to local communities while recognising their land rights. However, many observers remain uncertain about how effectively such mechanisms will work in practice.
The Bonn discussions showed that major questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding finance, definitions of forest degradation, and accountability. The COP30 Presidency plans to continue consultations over the coming months, with further discussions expected before the next round of climate negotiations.
Whether countries can bridge their differences and agree on a common path to stop deforestation by 2030 remains one of the key challenges ahead of future climate talks.