INTERVIEW – Brazil focuses on Amazon reforestation, not revenge against Bolsonaro, environment minister says - Anadolu Ajansı

Brazil has moved beyond former President Jair Bolsonaro's environmental policies and is focused on protecting the Amazon rainforest, the country's environment and climate change minister said.

Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of the UN climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Joao Paulo Ribeiro Capobianco said the government's priority was to restore environmental protections and advance climate action rather than confront the former administration.

"We don't need to fight against Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is in the past. We are in the future," Capobianco said.

Bolsonaro's administration was widely criticized by environmental groups and Indigenous communities for encouraging economic development in the Amazon at the expense of forest protection.

Lula, who returned to office in January 2023, pledged to reverse that approach, strengthen environmental enforcement, combat illegal deforestation and protect Indigenous territories.

Asked whether Brazil could pursue legal action against Bolsonaro over environmental damage to the Amazon during his presidency, the minister said the government had chosen to focus on rebuilding environmental protections.

"Our decision was to restart the process, to change everything, to protect the forest," he said.

"So, we are in the right way," he added.

Capobianco said Brazil had achieved significant results in reversing forest loss, particularly in the Amazon, since Lula returned to power.

"First of all, the deforestation reduction is about 71% in the Amazonian forest," he said.

He added that reducing deforestation in Brazil's other ecosystems could prevent approximately 560 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is a very important contribution for the environment and the Earth," he said.

The minister said Brazilian voters had supported Lula's environmental agenda, including efforts to protect forests, preserve biodiversity, improve living standards and combat poverty.

"The people in Brazil, they decided to vote for our President Lula because they want to maintain these policies, to maintain these proposals, to maintain the fight against climate change," he said.

Capobianco stressed that the government intended to continue implementing its environmental policies with the support of Brazilian society.

Turning to the international climate agenda, Capobianco said Brazil was advancing roadmaps to prevent deforestation and forest degradation while beginning work on a separate roadmap to address fossil fuel use.

He highlighted the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, an initiative aimed at mobilizing long-term financing for tropical forest conservation, as one of Brazil's contributions to global climate action.

Outlining Brazil's priorities at COP31, the minister called for international agreement on roadmaps to halt deforestation, reduce fossil fuel use and mobilize $1.3 trillion in climate finance, particularly for developing countries.

He said the financing was essential to help poorer nations tackle climate change and strengthen their adaptation efforts.

The minister also emphasized the need for increased investment, technology transfers and international cooperation to help vulnerable countries prepare for the consequences of global warming.

"We need more investment, more action to guarantee the resources, technology transfer and cooperation," he said.

Capobianco identified stronger emissions reductions as another central priority, urging countries to increase their climate ambitions and submit updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

He said 44 countries had yet to submit their updated climate plans and called for more ambitious commitments.

"We have to try to keep climate change under control," he said, stressing the importance of accelerating mitigation efforts to limit global warming.

Capobianco also welcomed Türkiye's hosting of COP31, describing his visit to the country as a positive experience.

"It's my second time here. It's like Brazil. The people are so friendly," he said.

The minister expressed hope that the Antalya summit would deliver meaningful progress in international climate cooperation.

"I believe that COP31 will be very important," he said, expressing optimism that the conference would help strengthen global efforts to combat climate change.