HI HCR59

Hawaii engages, endorses, accepts, and adopts the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which was created and launched at the United Nations Climate Summit in September 2014.

The NYDF outlines ten global forest protection targets including stopping forest loss, eliminating deforestation from agricultural activities, reducing non-agricultural deforestation, restoring forests, and strengthening governance and indigenous peoples' rights.

Hawaii's forests cover two million acres (approximately half of the state's land mass) and provide critical watershed, soil, habitat protection, cultural value, water conservation, and air quality benefits.

Adopting the NYDF will allow Hawaii to coordinate with 200+ NYDF partners including governments, corporations, and civil society organizations to share practices and support forest improvements in alignment with the United Nations Paris Agreement and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Legislature urges federal leaders to embrace the NYDF goals and the 2030 Agenda, and directs transmission of the resolution to the President, Congress, United Nations officials, and county mayors.