U.S., Norway Say Forests Vital to Global Climate Goals

Last year's international deal on limiting climate change must involve more use of forests as natural stores of carbon, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Norway's government said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Kerry, visiting Oslo as part of a trip to Europe, and Norway's Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen signed a deal promising closer cooperation on protecting forests including rallying more support from the private sector.

Almost 200 nations agreed in December to shift from fossil fuels in coming decades towards renewable energy to limit an increase in floods, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels.

"These goals cannot be achieved without forests," the statement said.

"The science is clear:  conserving, restoring and sustainably managing the world's natural forests is critical to achieving a safe, secure, and sustainable world," the two politicians wrote. Last year's international deal on limiting climate change must involve more use of forests as natural stores of carbon, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Norway's government said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Kerry, visiting Oslo as part of a trip to Europe, and Norway's Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen signed a deal promising closer cooperation on protecting forests including rallying more support from the private sector.

Almost 200 nations agreed in December to shift from fossil fuels in coming decades towards renewable energy to limit an increase in floods, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels.

"These goals cannot be achieved without forests," the statement said.

"The science is clear: conserving, restoring and sustainably managing the world's natural forests is critical to achieving a safe, secure, and sustainable world," the two politicians wrote.

Read more at U.S., Norway Say Forests Vital to Global Climate Goals