Greenpeace is calling on European Union and African leaders to take immediate action to prevent the destruction of African forests, which is leading to carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change. Stephan Van Praet, coordinator for the Greenpeace International Africa Forest Campaign, emphasized the importance of political leaders in Lisbon supporting a halt to deforestation in Africa. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, and deforestation is responsible for a significant portion of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. Urgent measures need to be taken to address this issue. Greenpeace activists in Lisbon unveiled a banner at Vasco da Gama tower with the message "Save the Climate-Save African forests." Stephan Van Praet stated that Greenpeace would continue their campaign in Lisbon over the weekend. He emphasized the importance of Europe adopting legislation to prevent illegal timber imports to enhance credibility in the fight against climate change and forest destruction. Van Praet also stressed the need for Europe to take 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 consequences of climate change such as heatwaves, disease, rising seas, and droughts.