by João Marcelo
SAO PAULO – Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said in an interview with the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo that he will ask the United States for US $ 1 billion to combat deforestation in the Amazon. He said that with the amount, it will reduce deforestation in the Amazon by up to 40% in 12 months. It is the first time that the minister has presented a goal of reducing deforestation in the region.
Ricardo Salles said the plan will be presented to the US government at the Summit of Leaders on Climate, a meeting convened by U.S. President Joe Biden, who invited Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and 39 other leaders to discuss climate issues.
This move comes after a major ministerial reform in the federal government last week. Ricardo Salles was being criticized by business sectors and also by organizations that fight against deforestation. Some organizations considered that this move by the minister is an attempt to show that he has a good relationship with Europeans and Americans and that he has plans to combat deforestation in the Amazon, a mission that returns to his hands this month, when the military action in the forest ends.
“The plan is US $ 1 billion for 12 months, one third for command and control actions, and two thirds for economic development actions, payment for environmental services, precisely in those places where there will be stronger command and control actions. Giving these people who will be inspected in these regions, who will undergo the most intense inspections, an economical alternative so that it is not so inviting to return to illegality ”, said the minister to Estadão.
The minister also said that if the country does not receive international aid, the fight against deforestation will continue, but it will not be possible to set a goal.
This year the Environment portfolio received the lowest budget in 21 years. The resources dedicated to the management of the protected areas have been reduced.