Muhammed Magassy writes that Norway’s billions of investments in combating overseas deforestation follow the hypocritical relationship between the West and climate change, once again shifting responsibility to developing countries, while diverting attention from the West’s guilt for environmental damage.
Muhammed Magassy has been a member of the National Assembly of The Gambia since 2012. He is also a member of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States.
Many people see Norway as the epitome of global climate leadership: a wealthy Scandinavian country donates billions of dollars to support developing countries in achieving climate goals.
In other words, this beautiful picture is far from the truth. Norway’s goals are driven by vested interests and are another clear example of Western hypocrisy, shifting the blame for climate change to underdeveloped countries.
Recently Norway announced its intention to invest USD 200 million To curb deforestation abroad-a funding program spanning several years, including financial subsidies for 39 organizations under the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Program (NICFI).
Funds will be allocated to Norwegian Development Cooperation Agency (Norad) Manages an important part of the funding for the initiative on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment.
Since 2008, Norway has poured in US$330 million Every year, different measures are launched in the name of protecting the world’s tropical rainforests.
However, it is harmful to assume that these are only altruistic behaviors.
expert Correctly speaking of Norwegian “Climate Paradox”: This Scandinavian oil-rich country claims to lead global climate efforts while relying on heavily polluted fossil fuels.Norway’s ruling Conservative Party pledges Pursue Oil cultivation until it loses profitability.
Hypocrisy Second richest The countries of the world are blatantly —— Love Tesla The Norwegians literally earned their wealth Arctic drilling, This threatens fragile ecosystems and continues the West’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Norway’s double standards on deforestation at home and abroad are also shocking.The country has been steadily Loss of forest cover Since 2017. In other words, Norway’s behavior seems to be a problem for developing countries.
But why does Norway impose restrictions overseas rather than domestically? Is this just a diversion from Norway’s own responsibility for climate change and destruction in the Arctic?
This is by no means a new phenomenon in Norway or the West. For a long time, the burden of climate change has been transferred to developing countries to try to get rid of poverty.The West has created an economic trap Kick off the ladder It used to climb to prosperity.
Suddenly, while the West is enjoying fossil fuel revenues, developing countries are expected to take on all the important tasks of making their industries more sustainable. Look at Norway’s recent investment to curb deforestation abroad. It smells like a public relations stunt.
Especially because the final location of the funds indicates a lack of due diligence:
For example, one of Norway’s funding sources is Brazil.For more than ten years, the Amazon Fund has been the largest recipient of the Norwegian Climate Fund, with $1.2 billion Pour into it.
Since Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro came to power in 2019, these investments have actually Vanish. As the world’s largest tropical rain forest transforms from a carbon sink to Carbon source.
Although payment to Brazil was subsequently suspended Public criticism For the Bolsonaro government, I can’t help but wonder how much of this money was burned to ashes along with the Amazon.
It is also widely known that Illegal deforestation It is rampant in the Brazilian beef and soybean industry.last year A study According to reports, about one-fifth of Brazil’s exports of soybeans and beef to the EU come from illegally harvested land.
The West can no longer ignore its positive role in the demolition of Amazon, nor can it ignore the Brazilian government’s refusal to act with Bolsonaro himself statement Amazon is open for business.Given EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, The EU’s message is resounding and clear: profit precedes the environment.
Crucially, although deforestation has increased in Brazil and globally, the opposite trend has appeared in certain regions. For example, in Malaysia, palm oil producers have implemented a national certification scheme to ensure that palm oil is no longer produced at the expense of tropical rain forests.
In fact, the Malaysian government has obtained the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification Mandatory Since 2020, Malaysia has developed rapidly due to the government’s efforts Decline in deforestation rate Since 2017.
As the example of Brazil shows, without the government’s will to enforce it, national legislation alone cannot save the world’s tropical rainforests.
The reason MSPO plan The result has been that the Malaysian government has imposed sanctions and penalties for violations: the plan not only rewards farmers with zero deforestation, but also has a negative impact on producers who fail to do so.
If the West really wants to stop deforestation overseas, it must first support measures that have proven effects supported by governments of various countries, but it must also admit that it is an accomplice in destroying the world’s forests. Otherwise, the funding measures of Norway and other Western countries are just brainwashing.
The most recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report Announce “Humanity’s Code Red”. Two months before the crucial COP26 Glasgow summit, this is the last opportunity for Western countries to turn empty promises into action.
Before that, I didn’t believe that Norway’s or the West’s motives for responding to climate change were sincere—but to show.
