PEFC at COP 30 – advancing verified forest sourcing for climate integrity

4 November 2025 Upcoming event

As global leaders gather in Belém for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30), PEFC International is bringing the voice of sustainable forest management to the heart of climate action.

From 10 to 21 November 2025, the world’s attention will turn to the Amazon – and to the forests that anchor global hopes for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

PEFC’s presence in Belém will focus on one core message: verified sourcing from responsibly managed forests is an essential foundation for credible land-sector mitigation pathways and the achievement of Article 5 goals under the Paris Agreement. Forests are not merely carbon stores – they are living systems that sustain biodiversity, livelihoods, and local economies. Certification systems such as PEFC provide assurance that forest products entering global markets come from operations that balance these environmental, social, and economic dimensions. 

“Forests hold one of the most powerful solutions to our climate and biodiversity challenges,” says Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International.

“When responsibly managed, they capture carbon, sustain rural livelihoods, and maintain ecosystems that protect us all. Certification ensures that this potential is realised with transparency and credibility.” 

This engagement comes as PEFC is undertaking a comprehensive systems revision – a global process to modernise its certification framework and ensure that it fully reflects today’s expectations for climate, biodiversity, and decent work outcomes. The revision aims to strengthen alignment with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and emerging disclosure and finance standards.

At COP 30, PEFC will work alongside partners such as FAO and Built by Nature to demonstrate how credible certification supports countries in meeting their nationally determined contributions and companies in delivering on net-zero and nature-positive strategies. Amid tightening regulatory requirements – from the EU Deforestation Regulation to corporate sustainability reporting – PEFC provides a trusted pathway for demonstrating due diligence and responsible sourcing.

COP 30 marks a pivotal moment for the forest and land sectors. As countries and companies revise their strategies toward 2030, PEFC’s message in Belém will be clear: credible, verified forest management is not an optional add-on, but a prerequisite for lasting climate success. 

Feel free to get in touch with Thorsten Arndt or visit us at the following events:

PEFC’s agenda at COP 30