- Title: Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon drops 12%, environment minister
- Date: 14th December 2021
- Summary: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 14, 2021) (Reuters) EXTERIOR OF PLANALTO PALACE SIGN READING (Portuguese/English) "Planalto Palace" EXTERIOR OF PLANALTO PALACE BRAZILIAN JUSTICE MINISTER ANDERSON TORRES AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER JOAQUIM LEITE ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER JOAQUIM LEITE SPEAKING DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (NOT A SOUNDBITE) (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN JUSTICE MINISTER, ANDERSON TORRES, SAYING: "In November, we went from 109 operations (in Amazon) in 2020 to 305 operations in 2021." BRAZILIAN OFFICIALS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, JOAQUIM LEITE, SAYING: "The results have been over four months: August, September, October, and November. It is part of the calendar year that will be presented next year. Then we understand that the drop in this period of 12% and in November of 19% reflects the excellent integration process of the federal government, the Justice Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and Environment Ministry." OFFICIALS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, JOAQUIM LEITE, SAYING: "The numbers for this new period: August, September, October, and November show a reduction of 12%. It means that we are in the right direction in terms of numbers so that we can reach the goal of eliminating illegal deforestation by 2028." OFFICIALS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, JOAQUIM LEITE, SAYING: "The federal government will act decisively in relation to environmental crimes and all crimes that occur in the territory."
- Embargoed: 28th December 2021 21:15
- Keywords: Amazon Brazil Deforestation environment
- Location: BRASILIA; NEAR APUI, AMAZONAS, HUMAITA, BRAZIL
- City: BRASILIA; NEAR APUI, AMAZONAS, HUMAITA, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Environment,South America / Central America
- Reuters ID: LVA001F80GWG7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Brazilian authorities reported on Tuesday (December 14) that illegal deforestation in the Amazon has seen a consistent fall as a result of a bolstering of operations in the region.
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest fell 12% for four consecutive months from August to November, compared to a year ago, and there was a 19% reduction just in November compared to the same month last year, according to preliminary government data on Tuesday.
According to the Brazilian government, the fall is the result of the effectiveness of the Guardians of the Forest operation, a plan implemented by Jair Bolsonaro's administration after the data showed another record of Amazon deforestation at the beginning of the year.
Official deforestation data published a month ago registered another record between August 2020 and July 2021, with a growth of 21.97% over the previous period. In total, 13,235 km² were deforested, the highest rate since 2006.
The figure was much worse than expected. Initially, based on data from Deter, which measures monthly deforestation alerts, the government was betting on a 5% reduction.
During the world climate summit, COP26, held in November, the Brazilian government promised to end illegal deforestation in the country by 2028, even before having revealed the official data, which was ready weeks before the conference.
According to Brazilian Environment Minister Joaquim Leite, the reduction recorded so far allows betting that the government can achieve the goal, although it is still below what is necessary.
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