House to 60% of the world’s largest rainforest, Brasil’s environmental policies, particularly those affecting the Amazon, frequently capture global attention. The tenure of former President Jair Bolsonaro was marked by criticism, primarily due to increased deforestation and the depletion of natural resources. Under Bolsonaro’s leadership, deforestation in the Amazon reached alarming levels, prompting numerous international and environmental organisations to intervene.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who assumed office following the 2022 elections, has drawn notice for his commitment to protecting the Amazon and curbing deforestation. One of his earliest actions was the reactivation of the Amazon Fund, dormant during Bolsonaro’s term. With $1.2 billion at its disposal, the fund is dedicated to combating deforestation and promoting rainforest sustainability. Within the first six months of Lula’s presidency, deforestation in the Amazon decreased by 34%, and mining activities were prohibited in six newly recognised indigenous reserves in April 2023.[1]
These measures signal the Lula administration’s resolute stance on preserving the Amazon and may herald the implementation of broader initiatives. Nonetheless, the ecological damage wrought during Bolsonaro’s presidency and the ongoing effects of the climate crisis could impede swift progress. To overcome these challenges, Brazil may need to foster international cooperation and develop joint programmes to mitigate environmental degradation.
In 2023, the government unveiled its Amazon protection plan, a collaborative effort involving 15 ministries. The plan incorporates advanced methods to monitor and curb illegal deforestation, including the expanded use of satellite technology to detect unlawful logging, farming, and mining. Additionally, it proposes a certification system to trace the origins of wood and agricultural products linked to vulnerable ecosystems. Other measures include the standardisation of land titles and the introduction of incentives for sustainable agriculture and other “green”[2] activities.[3]
The prominent role of technology within the plan reflects a strategic approach to achieving tangible outcomes. If successful, these modernised policies could inspire broader adoption globally. For instance, the standardisation of land titles may enhance transparency and accountability in land use, reducing the risk of misuse. Furthermore, by prioritising sustainable practices, the plan aspires to create lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits.
The inclusion of indigenous communities in these policies underscores the administration’s inclusive approach. Lula has distinguished himself from his predecessor through his emphasis on indigenous rights, notably establishing the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples upon returning to power in 2022. In 2023, he vetoed significant provisions of draft law 2903, which sought to curtail the recognition of ancestral indigenous lands.[4]
By prioritising indigenous participation in Amazon protection initiatives, Lula’s government fosters not only biodiversity conservation but also the preservation of cultural heritage. This cooperative framework between indigenous communities and the government has the potential to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the Amazon’s ecosystem.
At COP28, Brazil introduced the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a global initiative for protecting tropical forests across more than 60 countries. While the Amazon Fund rewards Brazil for reducing deforestation, the TFFF offers fixed annual payments to all tropical forest nations for each hectare of forest safeguarded. Conversely, payments will decrease for areas subject to deforestation or degradation.[5]
Unlike the Amazon Fund, the TFFF adopts a more inclusive and global perspective. This initiative highlights the ecological and climatic significance of tropical forests, emphasising their value to the entire planet rather than a single nation. Such an approach signals Brazil’s intent to lead international efforts against deforestation and climate change.
In a bold declaration, Lula has pledged to eliminate deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. However, opposition within Brazil’s National Congress poses a significant challenge. In June, legislation was passed transferring oversight of rural land and wastewater management from the Ministry of Environment to other ministries. Additionally, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples was stripped of its authority to demarcate indigenous lands, a responsibility now assigned to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.[6]
Both the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples are instrumental in advancing Lula’s environmental agenda. Curtailing their powers risks undermining the administration’s efforts to protect the Amazon and its indigenous communities. Nevertheless, if Lula’s policies yield tangible successes, they could serve as a model for other nations, underscoring the Amazon’s global importance.
[1] Hohagen, C. (2024, June 28). Lula’s green promise: Will he restore the Amazon? Global Americans. https://globalamericans.org/lulas-green-promise-will-he-restore-the-amazon/, (Retrieved: 29.11.2024).
[2] Translator’s Note: The term ‘green activities’ in this context refers to environmentally responsible policies and initiatives, rather than the company of the same name.
[3] Jazeera, A. (2023, June 6). Brazil’s President Lula unveils plan to end deforestation by 2030. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/brazils-president-lula-unveils-plan-to-end-deforestation-by-2030, (Retrieved: 29.11.2024).
[4] Amazon Watch. (2023, October 23). Brazil’s President Lula protects Indigenous rights and the environment with a partial veto of Bill 2903 | Amazon Watch. https://amazonwatch.org/news/2023/1020-brazils-president-lula-protects-indigenous-rights-and-the-environment-with-a-partial-veto-of-bill-2903, (Retrieved: 29.11.2024).
[5] Young, H. (2024, April 10). How to protect the Amazon and who should pay. dw.com. https://www.dw.com/en/how-to-protect-the-amazon-and-who-should-pay/a-70309693, (Retrieved: 29.11.2024).
[6] Rodrigues, M. (2023). Politics and the environment collide in Brazil: Lula’s first year back in office. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04042-x, (Retrieved: 29.11.2024).
