Greenpeace has called on European Union and African leaders who met in Lisbon to take immediate action to prevent the destruction of African forests, which leads to carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Stephan Van Praet, coordinator for the Greenpeace International Africa Forest Campaign, emphasized the importance of halting deforestation in Africa to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The United Nations states that deforestation is responsible for approximately 25 percent of man-made carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the amount produced by the United States. Urgent measures need to be taken to address this issue. Greenpeace activists displayed a banner in Lisbon's Vasco da Gama tower urging to "Save the Climate-Save African forests." Stephan Van Praet stated that Greenpeace will continue their campaign in Lisbon over the weekend. He emphasized the importance of Europe implementing legislation to prevent illegal timber from entering its market, in order to enhance the continent's credibility in the battle against climate change and forest destruction. Van Praet highlighted the significance of Europe taking responsibility in the international market by starting at home. The EU aims to reduce emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 to address the impacts of climate change such as heatwaves, disease, rising seas, and droughts.