Carbon Brief · Climate & nature

Lula's Presidency Linked to 20,000 km² of Saved Amazon Forest

Analysis suggests at least 20,000 km² of Amazon rainforest preserved under Lula since 2022, a reversal from the deforestation surge during the prior administration. This figure is considered conservative.

Under President Lula, Amazon deforestation has sharply declined, potentially reaching record lows. This contrasts with the Bolsonaro presidency, where deforestation rose due to weakened regulations and enforcement.

Carbon Brief analysis models that 20,000 km² of forest remain due to Lula's protection focus. This estimate compares forest code enforcement against a baseline of non-enforcement.

Experts deem the 20,000 km² figure conservative. They suggest a Bolsonaro win in 2022 could have led to higher deforestation rates, potentially from illegal activities.

The upcoming election is critical, with Lula facing Flávio Bolsonaro, whose platform favors agribusiness and mining over environmental protection.

Lula's administration reinstated a deforestation action plan, halving annual deforestation rates. His policies aim for "zero deforestation" by 2030.

Flávio Bolsonaro's environmental proposals are largely anti-environmental, despite a pledge for zero "illegal" deforestation by 2029.

Other factors include the end of the soy moratorium, which prevented forest loss, and the composition of congress, where right-leaning parties have clashed with Lula's agenda.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.