Tropical Forest Alliance’s Post

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has dropped to its lowest level since 2015, with a 30.6% reduction in deforestation over the 12 months through July 2024. This progress aligns with President LuizvInacio Lula daSilva's commitment to environmental protection since taking office. Lula, who aims to end deforestation entirely by 2030, attributes this achievement to increased enforcement of environmental laws and has taken significant steps to uphold Brazil's climate responsibilities. His administration plans to strengthen conservation efforts further by recruiting 800 new federal environmental agents—the largest addition in over a decade. Environment Minister Marina Silva shared her pride in this accomplishment, saying, "What was presented here today is the fruit of our labor." This 12-month reporting period marks the first full year of deforestation tracking under Lula's government, which has almost halved deforestation compared to the last full year under former President Jair Bolsonaro. In a dual accomplishment, the Cerrado savanna, a crucial ecosystem neighboring the Amazon, also experienced a 26% drop in deforestation, reaching its lowest level since 2020. This positive trend supports global climate goals as scientists emphasize the Amazon's essential role in absorbing climate-warming carbon dioxide. Lula's environmental leadership is particularly timely, as Brazil is set to host the United Nations COP30 climate conference next year, directly in the Amazon rainforest region. Original authors: Lisandra Paraguassu & Jake Spring Editor: Sandra Maler Summary produced with help from ChatGPT https://lnkd.in/e_2cNpH2

Amazon deforestation reaches a new low, with a 30.6% reduction in deforestation this year compared to 2023. The enforcement of environmental laws to reduce illegal deforestation has been credited for the reduction, with Brazil’s Environment Minister, Marina Silva, welcoming the news saying “today is the fruit of our labor”. President Lula has pledged to end deforestation in Brazil by 2030, in his bid to restore Brazil's climate credentials and with the country set to host COP30 next year. Lula's government has promised to further bolster enforcement next year by hiring 800 new federal environmental agents, the largest hiring drive in more than a decade. #Brazil #Deforestation #COP30 #Amazon #Rainforest https://lnkd.in/e4J8FVyx

Amidst a global deforestation crisis, two countries are showcasing a different path. - Brazil: Achieved a 36% reduction in primary forest loss between 2022 and 2023. - Colombia: Saw deforestation nearly halved in the same period. Let us explore the policy tools that these comparative achievements are based on: - Effective Laws and Governance. The progress in both countries is attributed to leadership changes that have prioritized environmental reforms. - Protected Areas: The most effective method to prevent deforestation, with about 17% of the planet's lands currently conserved. - Indigenous Land Management: Low deforestation rates in Indigenous territories due to traditional practices or remote locations less likely to be converted to agriculture. - Strategic Location of Protected Areas: To mitigate climate change, protected areas must be placed in regions with the highest threat of deforestation. #deforestation #NatureRestoration #EarthRegeneration #PrimaryForests #Biodiversity

🚨 A Dangerous Setback for Forests and Climate: The EUDR Vote in the European Parliament 🚨   This morning, the European Parliament voted narrowly in favor of weakening amendments to the #EUDR, with overwhelming support from the EPP, conservatives, and far-right groups. This vote represents a devastating blow to our forests, biodiversity, and global climate.   While the 1-year delay that was originally proposed by the European Commission was approved, other amendments to introduce a “zero-risk” category for countries with no deforestation risk also passed.   ⚠️ Why is this “zero-risk” category so dangerous: 👉 Loopholes: Products from countries classified as “zero-risk” would be exempt from critical due diligence requirements, enabling deforestation-prone products to be funneled through these countries, bypassing the protections that the regulation was designed to enforce. 👉 Flawed “zero-risk” criteria: The definition of "zero-risk" is misleading and inadequate. One of the criteria for zero-risk status is that a country shows "no deforestation" in terms of land area, but this completely ignores the reality of forest degradation. A country could still be clearing vital old-growth forests, replacing them with monocultures, as long as the net area of forests remains constant, these activities wouldn’t count as "deforestation," even though the climate and biodiversity impact is devastating. 👉 Unfair competition: Under this new framework, companies sourcing from countries that are genuinely working to address deforestation and degradation (and facing higher risks) could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, while companies sourcing from countries benefiting from “zero-risk” status would face minimal scrutiny. This is not only unfair but undermines the efforts of businesses that are working hard to meet the EUDR’s stringent requirements. 👉 A blow to developing countries: Several EU Member States would be able to bypass these new due diligence requirements, which could be viewed as deeply unfair by third countries that have already invested heavily in deforestation prevention.   ❗ These amendments represent a dangerous setback in the global effort to combat deforestation and undermine the law’s original intent. We cannot afford to allow political maneuvering to undermine protections for our forests and our planet 🌲 This vote represents a serious backslide in our collective efforts to tackle deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. We must continue to push for a strong and effective regulation that delivers real, meaningful change.   🌍 #EUDR #Deforestation #EURegulations #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #Sustainability #Forests #EuropeanParliament #EUPolicy

Deforestation ‘roaring back’ despite 140-country vow to end destruction Two interesting insights from this The Guardian article: 1) Global deforestation is accelerating despite international pledges: Despite 140 countries vowing to end deforestation by 2030, forest destruction actually increased in 2023 compared to when the pledge was made three years ago4. Nearly 6.4 million hectares of forest were destroyed, and an additional 62.6 million hectares were degraded due to activities like road construction, logging, and forest fires4. This trend is severely jeopardizing efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. 2) Commodity demand is driving deforestation, but progress is possible with political will: The demand for beef, soy, palm oil, and nickel is hindering efforts to halt deforestation4. However, Brazil's example shows that significant progress is achievable with the right political leadership. Under President Lula da Silva's administration, deforestation in Brazil was reduced by 62% in just one year4. This demonstrates that while economic pressures can drive forest loss, strong governmental action can effectively counteract these forces. https://hubs.la/Q02VYRQZ0 #deforestation #eudr #sustainability

Colombia's Environment Ministry announced that deforestation dropped by 36% in 2023, marking a 23-year low. This progress, driven by President Gustavo Petro's commitment to environmental protection, saw deforestation fall to just over 792 square kilometers, down from 1,235 square kilometers in 2022. In the Amazon region, deforestation decreased by 38%, thanks to peace talks, financial incentives for farmers, and government efforts. However, the battle isn't over, as challenges like illicit economies and dry conditions continue to pose threats. Colombia, along with other South American nations, has launched an alliance to protect the Amazon and will host the COP16 UN biodiversity summit later this year. See more about this article and let us know your thoughts at Pakira Forums!🌍💚 https://lnkd.in/gV8CVvdu

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon has dropped to its lowest level in nearly a decade, a significant step forward for President Lula's climate initiatives. But with Lula's mixed environmental record and looming economic challenges, can this progress be sustained? As global attention turns to Brazil amidst changing political landscapes, how can the international community support sustainable efforts that balance ecological preservation with the economic needs of Amazonian communities? It is crucial that we consider these questions as we look toward the future. #thefutureisnow #hellotomorrow #deforestation #amazonsave #rainforestprotection #climateaction #carboncapture #sustainabledevelopment #savetheplanet #greeninitiatives #environmentaljustice #brazilianamazon

The landscape and jurisdictional approach can help companies tackle #deforestation, ensure #sustainable land use and meet global #environmental goals. Jack Hurd Tropical Forest Alliance https://lnkd.in/eDgF39yv

Just announced - Deforestation rates in Colombia have fallen to the lowest rate this century. Figures from the Susana Muhamad, Minister of the Environment in Colombia, show a reduction of 38% - to the lowest rates in the millennium. This reduction occurs against a backdrop of declining losses over the past few years: 2017 - 219K ha 2020 & 2021 - 170K ha 2022 - 122K ha 2023 - 79K ha The reasons for this reduction are a complex mix of public & private sector actions ⬇️. 🌳 Government action to develop agreements with the communities living in the region. 🌳 The contribution of authorities such as the prosecutor's office, the military forces and the police that have dedicated greater resources to the persecution and prosecution of illegal deforestation. 🌳 The most favorable conditions in terms of public order and regional advances within the framework of the total peace process that the Government has promoted. 🌳 Efforts made through international cooperation programs that have a presence in the areas with the highest risk of deforestation. 🌳 Greater awareness through the private sector with large marketers and small producers through spaces such as the Zero Deforestation Agreements that Tropical Forest Alliance has been promoting. These are factors that still need to be strengthened and deepened. And challenges still exist - including land grabbing, bad agricultural practices, poorly planned infrastructure projects and illegal factors that persist. While we can take heart from these figures – and the fact that public-private sector action can reduce deforestation - there are still some figures from the first quarter of 2024 that generate some concern. https://lnkd.in/enPBm5hB #Deforestation #Colombia #TropicalForests

😮 On October 2, The European Commission announced that the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will likely be postponed by one year, pushing the deadline to December 30, 2025. 🌲 Every minute the law is postponed means the loss of a football field of forest. The European Parliament must vote to implement the regulation immediately, says Rainforest Foundation Norway. Read the whole story: https://lnkd.in/ggSwFKgk Transport & Environment (T&E) Earthsight Miljøstiftelsen ZERO Fern NGO #EUDR #deforestation #rainforest #climate #biodiversity #indigenous