(Business in Cameroon) - According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Cameroonian government just took the commitment to restore an area of 12 million cleared hectares in total by 2030, as part of the “Bonn Challenge” initiative launched in 2011 during an event organised by Germany and IUCN.

Cameroon’s commitment in this global effort meant to restore 150 million hectares of damaged and cleared lands by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030 is, according to IUCN, “the most important commitment made up to now in the Congo basin rich in species, and home to the second largest forest in the world”.

Commenting on the commitment made by Cameroon, Inger Andersen, Managing Director of IUCN, maintains that “Cameroon’s commitment to the Bonn Challenge will contribute to create sustainable livelihoods for communities depending on the forests, to protect the fauna particular to Cameroon, lower carbon emissions and meet sustainable development targets”.

According to IUCN, land clearing and soil degradation are among the most important factors contributing to greenhouse gases emissions globally. By taking part in the Bonn Challenge, highlights the international institution in charge of the nature preservation, Cameroon is getting closer to its objective of lowering carbon emissions by 32% by 2035. This ambition was declared during the COP 21 in Paris.

BRM