Brazil: On 16 April
John Kerry, US President
Joe Biden’s Special Envoy for Climate, tweeted that the recommitment by Brazil’s President
Jair Bolsonaro to
“eliminating illegal deforestation is important”. Kerry said that “
we look forward to immediate actions and engagement with indigenous populations and civil society so this announcement can deliver tangible results”. A letter dated 14 April by Bolsonaro to Biden promised to eliminate deforestation by 2030, ahead of the virtual 22-23 April Leaders Summit on Climate. However, on 16 April 15 US Senators signed a letter to Biden expressing deep concern
“regarding the accelerating destruction of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest that threatens to undermine global efforts to combat climate change”. It states that “we support your efforts and those of …Kerry to promote [bilateral] cooperation on issues of climate action and forest conservation…. However, this can only be possible if the Bolsonaro administration begins to take Brazil’s climate commitments seriously – and only if it protects, supports, and engages meaningfully with the many Brazilians who can help the country fulfil them”. The letter adds that in recent weeks, the Bolsonaro administration has repeatedly expressed interest in working with the United Nations on environmental issues. But
“until now, it has demonstrated no serious interest in working with the multiple actors within Brazil who would play essential roles in any serious efforts to save the Amazon rainforest”.End of preview - This article contains approximately 787 words.
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