Sustainable Carbon’s Post

Brazil: a proposal aims to revoke all protection for non-forest native vegetation, which has been in force in Brazil since 1934, freeing it up for generalised deforestation. By Instituto Socioambiental : If Bill 364/2019 is approved, in practice more than 50 per cent of the Pantanal, 32 per cent of the Pampas and 7 per cent of the Cerrado could be wiped off the map. In addition, 15 million hectares in the Amazon are also under threat - which represents more than 16 times the last rate of deforestation in the biome (2022-2023). The data comes from a technical note by SOS Mata Atlântica which analysed the impacts of the bill on grassland vegetation. The bill was approved on a terminative basis, meaning it should go straight to the Senate. Deputy Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ), however, has already warned that he will file an appeal to have it passed by the full House first. There, the request needs to be approved by a majority, but it is the president of the house, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), a first-rate partner of the ruralists, who decides whether or not it will be voted on. The extent of native vegetation that could be suppressed, however, is even greater, because the bill jeopardises not only native grasslands but any type of "non-forest" vegetation throughout Brazil. "The proposal aims to revoke all protection for non-forest native vegetation, which has been in force in Brazil since 1934, freeing it up for generalised deforestation. The impact is abysmal in predominantly non-forest biomes such as the Pantanal, Cerrado, Caatinga and Pampa, but it will also affect huge non-forest areas in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest"

In a world where renewable natural resources are becoming scarce, forests are undoubtedly essential to societies' future. Societies in tropical forest regions can protect forests early or wait until it is too late. Starting early means: * It is cheaper * People are more open to it * Local development can be built around forest conservation Waiting too late means: * It costs much more to protect and restore * People fight against it * Those making money from cutting trees will push back hard Here is a success story: Amapá, a state in Brazil. Amapá has 143,000 km2 and is home to 750,000 people. It harbors forests, savannas, and America’s most pristine mangroves. In 1995, Governor João Capiberibe had a simple idea: build a new development model around forest conservation. When the next governor, Waldez Goés, took over, he did not abandon the vision despite being from an opposition party. He expanded it with the Amapá Biodiversity Corridor. Since then, all governors maintained the same development model. The article below shows that Amapá has protected 73% of its forests within protected areas and indigenous lands and is the first state in the Brazilian Amazon to achieve zero deforestation. This shows that conservation is development and that development is conservation. This was not just good fortune—it was strategic foresight. I am happy to have contributed to this outstanding achievement. Amapá is not without problems. The state needs help advancing a different development model. Unfortunately, public and private resources for conservation and sustainable urban infrastructure continue to flow to those places that lost their forests. In the Brazilian Amazon, these places always seem to win. To committed entrepreneurs and genuine conservationists looking to make a real impact in conserving the world's largest tropical forest, Amapá is not just a success story—it is an invitation. #amazon #conservation #climatechange #amapá #amazônia #biodiversity https://lnkd.in/eD7xiMJU

Brazil has been under fire in many parts of the country. The situation in the Atlantic Forest is very serious and concerning. IPAM Amazônia published a technical note analyzing fire distribution according to land tenure categories. The work was led by Ane Alencar and had contributions from other colleagues from MapBiomas. I was invited to reflect about the implications for the Atlantic Forest, as Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica is a member of MapBiomas since the first contribution of Marcia Hirota to start the initiative. The document with very important data to understand fire is available at https://lnkd.in/eK88J_WV I highlight my comments about the Atlantic Forest. The significant increase in the occurrence of fire in the Atlantic Forest deviates from the historical pattern, as the use of fire for sugarcane harvesting in the Center-South and as a systemic practice in agriculture is no longer common. It was the second largest increase in burned area among biomes for the period analyzed in 2024, with a 570% increase compared to the same months of the previous year. In this context, Indigenous Lands in the biome saw an 819% increase in burned area; Large Rural Properties, 740%; and Conservation Units, 714%. Of the total burned from January to August 2024, the majority occurred on private properties (75%), followed by Conservation Units (15%). Although the proportion of the increase in Indigenous Lands is large, the total burned area in this category was relatively small. It is worth noting that the biome has a small proportion of protected areas in its territory (less than 15%), and 80% of the remaining native vegetation is located on private properties. Therefore, fire represents a threat to both the remnants in public lands (Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands) and in private areas

Robust Brazilian national legislation to protect the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is urgently needed. Alongside Instituto SOS Pantanal, Chalana Esperança, and WWF-Brasil, we have underscored this issue in our summary: https://lnkd.in/ekjsucHk Currently, the “Pantanal Statute” bill, designed to supposedly protect the wetland, is not strong enough. Our technical note outlines the essential points that must be included in any upcoming legislation to ensure it is robust enough. "The main complaint concerns the lack of policies for the Upper Paraguay River Basin, as the water crisis exacerbates the fires," reports O Globo: https://lnkd.in/er33enPW We must establish strong instruments that protect and restore the Pantanal. A bill to secure the Pantanal must take an integrated and focused approach to prevent threats to the health of this unique ecosystem. #Wetland #WetlandProtection #Conservation #ClimateAction #Brazil #Pantanal

The Brazilian research institute #MuseuParaenseEmílioGoeldi and CCCA’s #HeronMartins shed light on the potential dangers of decreasing the Legal Reserve on Amazonian rural properties from 80% to 50%, as outlined in bill PL 3334/2023. Dive into the comprehensive analysis, exploring the critical role of the Legal Reserve in safeguarding native vegetation, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable resource management on rural lands. https://lnkd.in/d4tp9DpV

Good News About Decreasing Deforestation in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil A new bulletin from the Deforestation Alert System (SAD Mata Atlântica) reports that the deforestation rate decreased by 55% in the first half of 2024 (January-June) compared to the same period in 2023. While this is good news to celebrate, the loss of 21,401 hectares of forest (compared to 47,896 hectares in 2023) remains significant, indicating a long journey ahead to achieve Zero Deforestation by 2030. However, Brazil is back on the right track, as deforestation has also decreased in the Amazon and Cerrado, according to the latest PRODES data released recently. Achieving Zero Deforestation and prioritizing forest restoration are among the key nature-based solutions to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises, with the Atlantic Forest poised to be a leading example of this effort. It is possible, urgent, and necessary. Let’s get there. Congratulations to Marina Silva, João Paulo Capobianco, André Lima, Raoni Rajão, PhD, Rodrigo Agostinho, and all the teams at Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Ibama. Special thanks to Alexandre Gaio and Carlos Eduardo Ferreira Pinto for their leadership in the "Operação Mata Atlântica em Pé." SAD Mata Atlântica is developed by Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica Mata Atlântica and MapBiomas, with support from the Hempel Foundation and Bradesco. This positive news has been covered by Jornal Nacional, Folha de S.Paulo, and OGlobo. https://lnkd.in/da8Ubc6B https://lnkd.in/dgeb2X77 https://lnkd.in/dcGEAXRM

The Brazilian research institute #MuseuParaenseEmílioGoeldi and CCCA’s #HeronMartins shed light on the potential dangers of decreasing the Legal Reserve on Amazonian rural properties from 80% to 50%, as outlined in bill PL 3334/2023. Dive into the comprehensive analysis, exploring the critical role of the Legal Reserve in safeguarding native vegetation, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable resource management on rural lands. https://lnkd.in/dmf2SBAW

Following the severe floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, experts are advocating agroforestry as a key strategy for ecological and economic recovery. This method merges traditional and modern techniques of integrating forest and agricultural systems, enhancing biodiversity, enriching soil, and strengthening climate resilience. It also supports the development of sustainable food systems that benefit both the environment and local communities. Years ago, before I became an agroecologist myself, I collaborated with a group of scientists, technicians, and activists discussing the incorporation of agroecology into Brazil’s National Adaptation Plan (PNA). That experience provided me with valuable insights into the transformative potential of sustainable agriculture, insights I carry both in my practice as a lawyer and anthropologist, and in my daily work on the land. Now, seeing these concepts being proposed as practical solutions for regions affected by climate variability, I am reminded of the critical role comprehensive strategies play in addressing environmental challenges. Agroforestry isn't just about recovery; it's about building a future where agriculture collaborates closely with nature to sustain and enrich local communities. For those in Rio Grande do Sul, both in government and civil society, this represents not only an opportunity to implement a model of innovation but also a chance for learning to prevent the recurrence of such flood damage in other parts of the world. #Agroforestry #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #RioGrandedoSul #Brazil

Driving Accountability in Palm Oil Supply Chains: A Step Towards Sustainability Recent investigations have highlighted challenges in ensuring deforestation-free palm oil sourcing, particularly from sensitive areas like Indonesia’s wildlife reserves. This serves as a reminder of the critical need for transparency and accountability in palm oil supply chains. While many global brands and producers have made strides toward zero deforestation commitments, this incident underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to safeguard biodiversity, including the habitats of endangered species. Strengthening monitoring systems, collaboration among stakeholders, and adherence to sustainability standards remain vital to achieving a sustainable and ethical palm oil industry. Read more: https://ow.ly/O44V50U8APh #SustainablePalmOil #ZeroDeforestation #PalmOilSupplyChain #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #Sustainability #GlobalCollaboration

“How can biodiversity be guaranteed in reforestation projects?” This is the title of the article, recently published by the Brazilian magazine Istoe Dinheiro, that explores the reasons why restoring a forest from the point of view of biodiversity is still a challenge and shows the current limited use of native species in reforestation projects🌳 As our partners at Jardim Botânico Araribá told the magazine, the reasons for this are several, from the lack of native plant materials to the lack of knowledge or even interest, as the objectives of some tree-planting projects could be others than conserving biodiversity. When these projects, such as those focused solely on carbon sequestration, employ exotic species, could even end up causing damage to the environment instead of helping to reverse the loss of biodiversity, as stressed by The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) manager David Bartholomew ⚠️💥   The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), as mentioned by the magazine, seeks to raise awareness of the inseparable link between tree planting and biodiversity conservation being the first scheme that certifies projects where tree planting, habitat restoration and agroforestry practices are protecting, enhancing and restoring biodiversity🌳🦋🐦   Read the full article at: https://lnkd.in/drS-u6ZV #Biodiversity #TheGlobalBiodiversityStandard #TGBS #EcosystemRestoration #GenerationRestoration