Fund to Protect the Amazon Reaches Its 10-Year Anniversary

06/27/2018 - 10h37

Norway, Brazil, and Germany met on Tuesday (the 26th) in Oslo to discuss the ten years of the Amazon Fund, the largest international cooperation project to protect the rainforest. Norway is responsible for 93.3% of the fund's R$ 3.1 billion (US$ 0.82 billion), managed by BNDES (The Brazilian Development Brank).

Despite the positive balance sheet, environmental NGOs criticized the use of the funds to cover Ibama cuts.

Adriana Ramos, coordinator of the Social-Environmental Institute (ISA) mentioned money from the fund has been allocated to Ibama's inspection since 2016 to offset budget cuts.

With the money, Ibama funded the lease of vehicles and helicopters, spending 91% of the R$ 56 million (US$ 14.75 million) in 12 months. As a result, actions in the Amazon went up by 250%.

	Ayrton Vignola - 17mai.05/Folhapress
	The Amazon Fund was established to raise funds for efforts to prevent, monitor and combat deforestation, as well as to promote the preservation and sustainable use of forests in the Amazon Biome

About a year ago, during Michel Temer's visit, the Brazilian government was harshly criticized for its environmental policy and was subject to a 58% reduction in contributions, compared to 2016. This time, on the other hand, Norway's government seemed pleased.

The main reason for such change was the 12% reduction in deforestation, in 2017. In the previous year, deforestation had increased 29%, leading Norway to question the efficiency of the help they provided Brazil with.

Director of the International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), Per Pharo has defended "more diverse and larger" funding sources, including the private sector.

Norway's donation is calculated based on results – the greater the reduction in deforestation, the greater their donation.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

Read the article in the original language