DiCaprio's and Bezos' Funds Want to Invest in Protecting the Amazon, Says Minister of the Environment

Marina da Silva points to philanthropy as the most fluid channel to raise funds

Davos

The foundation led by the actor Leonardo DiCaprio plans to raise around US$ 100 million for environmental protection in Brazil, and the Bezos Foundation, which bears the name of the founder of Amazon, also offered contributions with the same purpose, said minister Marina Silva ( Environment) this Tuesday (17). Marina is participating in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she was invited to join three panels on Brazil and the Amazon and has been sought after by investors interested in putting money into preservation projects in the country. For now, however, apart from the unfreezing of the Amazon Fund, there are no new concrete commitments, and the strongest signs of investment come from philanthropy, where decisions face fewer obstacles.

Brazilian new Environment Minister Marina Silva (R), gestures next to New Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad during a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 17, 2023. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) - AFP

"It is clear that philanthropy has greater agility than when it comes to cooperation with governments," she said, mentioning the most numerous steps for agreements between countries. On Wednesday (18), Marina should meet with John Kerry, the US envoy for climate issues and the closest she has to a peer in the US government, in a bilateral meeting, and then again with the participation of representatives from Ghana and the United Kingdom, and the topic should be forests. This Tuesday, the minister of the environment participated with the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, in a panel on Brazil. Despite the great interest in meetings with the two, the audience was not at full capacity and was largely composed of Brazilians.

Translated by Cassy Dias

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