Brazil refuses to join pact to end deforestation by 2030

More than 30 countries have set the first-ever deadline to end deforestation by 2030, but the feasibility of such a goal has been eroded by a key player, Brazil, that is refusing to join the pact.

The United States, Canada and the entire European Union on Tuesday signed on to a declaration to halve forest loss by 2020 and eliminate deforestation entirely by 2030.

"This is the family photo we have been looking for for decades," said Charles McNeill, a senior environmental policy adviser for the United Nations Development Programme. "The forest issue is where everyone comes together."

But, like in any family, there were signs of dysfunction before the agreement was formally unveiled. Brazil said it would not endorse the pledge, complaining it was not included in the preparation process.

Brazil's position also highlighted the divisions between countries as they prepare to continue formal negotiations later this year in Peru in the hope of meeting a late 2015 deadline for a new international treaty.

"Unfortunately, we were not consulted. But I think that it's impossible to think that you can have a global forest initiative without Brazil on board. It doesn't make sense," Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said on Monday.