Amazon: strategies and development for Brazil's resilience

Translated by Alessandra Fumagalli 

Amazon’s management represents a crucial challenge for Brazil, combining both economic national interests and the necessity to mitigate the global climate change. Amazon is one of the most strategic region in the world, covering 5% of the surface and hosting about 10% of the global biodiversity. With an extension of 5,5 billion km², whose 60% is in Brazil, the forest is crucial for the regulation of the global hydro cycle and as carbon reservoir. Economically, Amazonian resources contribute significantly to the Brazilian GDP, plumping some sectors like agriculture, forestry and mining activities. However, the environmental degradation is accelerated by the pressure of some national and international actors, bringing the Amazonian system to a possible environmental collapse. 

Amazon’s geopolitics

Brazilian soverreignitym upon Amazon has been the subject of several geopolitical controversial. The area, that lies upon 5 million square kilometers, is a unique source at a global level, not only for its ecological value, but also for its strategical importance, as far as climate change and global food security are concerned. Global powers, being aware of the climate impact of deforestation and the importance of the area for the stability of the ecosystem, have shown a growing interest in monitoring and influencing Brazilian politics on Amazon. Multilateral agreements, as the Paris Agreement, demand strict engagement for Brazil, in order to reduce deforestation and promote primary forest conservation, considered the key element of carbon sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gases global emissions. However, the domestic Brazilian politic is often influenced by economical interests, since the regions is the primary source of raw and land materials for agriculture expansion. Powerful lobbies, like the agrobusiness and mining ones, are pressuring on Brazilian government to loosen environmental norms and allow exploitation activities. This tension is complicated by the sovereignist approach, adopted by some political leaders, who associate Amazon to a symbol of national sovereignty and resist to the internal interferences, which are seen as an attempt to limit Brazil’s autonomy. 

The consequences of this politics are evident: according to the National Institute for Space Research, the deforestation rate reached 13.235 km² in 2023, which reflects the growing agricultural, bucolic and mining activities. Despite international critics and economic sanctions, the Brazilian government is supporting the fact that the economic development of the area is essential to the improvement of the life conditions of local people and for the general country growth. This approach generated an heated debate at a global level, increasing the possibility of a conflict between the need for preserving an important natural heritage and the Brazilian right to use its sources to encourage an economic development. 

At an international level, Amazon plays a key role. While some organizations like the United Nations and the European Union want a reinforcement of the environmental measures, some other countries, like China and India play a pragmatic role, linked with their necessity for a raw materials’ supply. This divergence is visible in the bilateral agreements: the United States have recently intensified the dialogue with Brazil, giving economic benefits for the conservation of the forest, but the cooperation is still fragile. 

Meanwhile, Brazil tries to consolidate its role in the BRICS, promoting a multipolar vision, where the management of natural resources, the Amazon one are included, is strictly connected to the economic interests of the developing countries. However, the growing pressure of the public opinion and the risk of loosing a privileged access to the western markets bring Brazil to a precarious balance between exploitation and conservation. Amazon is not only an environmental issues, but it is a geopolitical ring, where economic interests, strategical rivalries and universal values encounter. 

Economy, divergences and ecological challenges

The conversion of the forest for agricultural use is the prime Amazon’s economic mover. Brazil is the first global exporter of soy and beef, which are responsible for 70% of the regional deforestation. The illegal extraction of gold and rare minerals have destabilized local ecosystems, rising conflicts with indigenous communities. However, some World Bank’s research shows that a non-sustainable approach could compromise the Brazilian GDP, due to the degrade of natural resources and international sanctions. Amazon deforestation contributes to 2 billions tons of CO2 per year, according to a 2023-IPCC report. The loss in biodiversity is critical as well, since lots of fundamental species are becoming extinct. Moreover, the soil degrade and the alteration of the hydrologic cycle reduce the agricultural activities in the region, rising in the climate vulnerability of Brazil.

Strategies for a sustainable development

Advanced bio-economy is focusing an economy based on not-wooden forestal products, like the essential oils, nuts and resins, which can generate income without compromising the forest. Some projects, like the one financed by the Amazon Found, showed the feasibility of these approaches. Adoption of advanced technologies, like PRODES programs, enable a real time deforestation monitoring, rising in the productivity and sustainability of the soil. Pilot initiatives in some countries, like Pará and Rondônia, highlighted a 30% reduction of the deforestation. Payments for the ecosystemic services are another alternative. They incentivize landowners to maintain forestall areas, like the Green Bolsa project, showed positive impacts on conservation. Valuing the indigenous communities, that manage about 27% of the Amazon first, is fundamental. Recognizing their land rights and promoting their participation on the political decision is crucial for a sustainable management. Nowadays, institutional bodies like the Interamericane Bank of Development and the European Union gave more than 1 billion dollars for such initiatives since 2015. However, it is necessary a more efficient coordination among Amazon countries, in order to face cross-border harts, like druk trafficking and wooden illegal trade.

Conclusions

Amazon’s management requires a strategical view of the economic and environmental goals. Investing in sustainable developing model is not only an ecologic necessity, but also an economic strategy. Cooperation among Brazilian government, local communities and international actors is essential to guarantee the forest’s resilience and its global role.

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