Revegetation of eroded lands is important in climate mitigation: UN climate summit in Copenhagen 2009

At the UN climate summit in Copenhagen last month, the Iceland Minister for the Environment, Svandis Svavarsdottir, gave a speech on behalf of Iceland. In her speech, she said: “Afforestation and revegetation on eroded lands are important parts of Iceland's climate strategy. We can and must conserve and reclaim forests and wetlands to help the climate as well as biodiversity. Better land use, supported by robust science and verifiable reporting, is an important factor in climate mitigation.”

Moreover, the Minister said: ”The Land Restoration Training Programme will join a capacity-building programme in geothermal energy under the auspices of the UN University, as keystone efforts of Iceland to build up capacity in climate change mitigation.”

The speech can be read here.