The urgent need to protect nature and end deforestation was at the centre of plans to deliver on global climate targets at the UN climate conference in Glasgow in 2021. Governments, companies and financial institutions all pledged significant action. While we have seen commitments like this before, the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forest and Land Use has the potential to be a turning point. The sheer number of countries and organisations represented, multi-sector buy-in, as well as the recognition of the need to support Indigenous peoples’ rights and leadership are all critical prerequisites for success in protecting the world’s forests. The latest Forest 500 ranking shows that too many companies are ill prepared for the regulatory changes coming down the track.
