Lula’s efforts to save the Amazon face agribusiness opposition

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has reversed deforestation trends in the Amazon but struggles to protect Indigenous rights and forests amid powerful agribusiness interests in congress.

Joaquim Salles reports for Grist.

In short:

Deforestation in the Amazon has dropped 62% under Lula, with stronger enforcement and international conservation funding, but Cerrado deforestation has risen.
Brazil’s agribusiness-dominated congress has passed bills weakening environmental and Indigenous protections, often overriding Lula’s vetoes.
Proposed legislation could open millions of hectares of Amazon forest to agriculture and reduce environmental oversight.

Key quote:

“The executive has to put a stop to this, because otherwise the tendency will be towards very serious setbacks.”

— Suely Araújo, Public Policy Coordinator, Observatório do Clima

Why this matters:

Brazil’s Amazon plays a critical role in mitigating global climate change, but congressional actions could undermine Lula’s environmental gains. Reduced Indigenous rights and forest protections risk accelerating biodiversity loss, increasing emissions, and harming vulnerable communities.

Learn more: Brazil aims to position the Amazon as a sustainable bioeconomic model

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