Post: PAMSA hosts COP28 side event on biodiversity

March 28, 2024

PAMSA hosts COP28 side event on biodiversity

On Saturday 9 December, PAMSA, along with the National Business Initiative, hosted a side event at the South African pavilion. The session, facilitated by Ross Hampton, executive director of International Sustainable Forest Coalition sought to showcase how the plantation forestry sector uses nature-based solutions (also termed ecosystems-based approaches) to mitigate biodiversity loss and climate change.

Minister Barbara Dallas Creecy, South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, opened the session by sharing how South Africa plans to domesticate the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. “It was a great opportunity to engage with the Minister in-person and reiterate the importance of forestry for both the environment and the rural economy, especially small timber growers,” says Jane Molony. The Minister’s formal speech is available here, with an access to the session recording here.

The global forest and forest product sector understands the interdependencies of the people, planet, prosperity. The speakers also asserted how a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and biodiversity, climate change and socio-economic development can be held in balance. Sharing their country’s perspectives and success stories were:

Jane Molony (PAMSA)
- Beyond the trees – how sustainable forestry and biodiversity stewardship can support South Africa’s triple bottom line
Ambassador Jose Carlos (Ibá, Brazil)
- Nature-based solutions – connections between biodiversity and climate in the forest-based sector
Dr Elizabeth Heeg (Forest Owners Association, New Zealand)
- Nature-based solutions in New Zealand Forestry – the foundation of the bioeconomy