Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) has granted 318 million reais ($65 million) from the $1.3 billion Amazon Fund.
Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) has granted 318 million reais ($65 million) from the $1.3 billion Amazon Fund, a key step in the fight against environmental crimes and deforestation in the Amazon jungle.
This allocation marks a milestone as the Amazon Fund, supported by four nations and managed by BNDES, undertakes its first major law enforcement initiative. Last month, the BNDES committed to supporting a security project designed by the justice ministry and executed by Brazil’s Federal Police.
Despite Brazil’s substantial reduction in deforestation this year, illegal activities such as logging and mining persist, posing ongoing threats to the vital rainforest. Recognizing the need for a coordinated response, the Federal Police, under the guidance of the justice ministry, will utilize the initial funds from the Amazon Fund to implement crucial security measures.
Humberto Freire, the Federal Police’s director for the Amazon and environmental crime, emphasized the importance of united efforts in combating environmental crimes. Freire, who will be representing Brazil at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, stressed the need for concrete actions beyond rhetoric to safeguard the Amazon.
The allocated funds from the Amazon Fund will primarily be directed towards acquiring helicopters and essential equipment. Additionally, plans are underway to establish an International Police Cooperation Center in Manaus by early next year. This center will facilitate collaboration with authorities in neighboring countries, strengthening the collective response to transboundary environmental challenges.
The law enforcement project, budgeted at 2 billion reais over the next couple of years, is set to receive its first disbursement from the Amazon Fund in the coming days. Established in 2008 with the aim of promoting the preservation and sustainable use of the rainforest, the Amazon Fund initially received contributions from Norway ($1.2 billion), Germany ($89 million), Petrobras ($7.7 million), Switzerland ($5.6 million), and the United States ($3 million).
Since assuming office in January, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has prioritized efforts to curb Amazon destruction, a stark departure from the policies of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. While deforestation rates have dropped by approximately half this year, achieving the lowest rate since 2018, challenges persist. Deforestation remains nearly twice that of the record low in 2012, falling short of President Lula’s ambitious commitment to zero deforestation by 2030.
The Amazon Fund’s latest allocation for the anti-deforestation security project signifies a renewed commitment to safeguarding the world’s largest rainforest, reflecting a broader shift towards environmental conservation in Brazil’s policy agenda. As the project unfolds, it is anticipated to not only reinforce domestic law enforcement efforts but also enhance international collaboration in protecting the Amazon’s ecological integrity.