New Brazilian environmental promises clash with policy

Significance

During last month’s virtual climate summit, President Jair Bolsonaro promised ambitious environmental targets, including eliminating illegal deforestation by 2030. However, one day later, he vetoed budget resources for environmental protection. Amazonas state’s federal police chief, responsible for Brazil’s largest seizure of illegal timber, was recently fired.

Impacts

• World leaders will remain apprehensive about Brazil’s ongoing deforestation and wary of funding commitments.
• Bolsonaro will come under mounting pressure for a change in Brazilian environmental policy.
• Brazilian businesses may lose international opportunities if new environmental promises are not followed by concrete government actions.