Brazil must meet zero deforestation targets by 2030, says expert to CNN

Paulo Cartaxo professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said in an interview with CNN this Monday (7), that Brazil needs to meet the zero deforestation targets by 2030.

“We need to become great protectors of the Amazon rainforest, which has not been happening over the last few years. Brazil has to meet its zero deforestation targets by 2030, as promised at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) last year,” said Cartaxo.

According to the expert, the Amazon Summit – taking place in Belém, Pará, between the 8th and 9th of this month – is of strategic importance in the discussion of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU).

“One of the tools that Europe has used in particular recently is the issue of commercial regulation in relation to products that may come from the Amazon Forest, which may come from deforestation”, pointed out Cartaxo.

Also, according to the professor, joint work between the Federal Police (PF), the Army and the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) is needed to curb environmental crimes in the region.

A draft of the Declaration of Belém – as the final communiqué of the summit will be called – has already been submitted to several ministries so that they can point out sensitivities and suggest improvements.

Among the planned announcements are:

• the creation of a police cooperation center in Manaus;
• and formatting an integrated air traffic system.

Click here and learn more about what the Amazon Summit is, what will be discussed and who will participate.

See also: Brazil has more than 1,200 endangered species

Brazil has over 1,200 endangered species | LIVE CNN

(Produced by Carol Raciunas of CNN in São Paulo)