After Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory in Brazil’s presidential election, Jochen Flasbarth, a state secretary in the German ministry for development, stated that Germany is willing to quickly unfreeze funds in order to assist in putting a stop to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest due to deforestation. “We are ready in principle to release the blocked monies for the Amazon Fund for Forest Conservation and Climate Protection in Brazil,” Flasbarth said. “These funds were intended for the Amazon Fund for Forest Conservation and Climate Protection in Brazil.”
The transition team in Brazil will now be contacted to discuss the details with the government. “Within the German administration, there is a tremendous urge to reach out to Brazil as rapidly as possible today.” Flasbarth also mentioned that the environment was a significant factor in the challenging election campaign that took place in the South American country. According to the state secretary, “it is now crucial that the new government can prove that states are willing to immediately enhance collaboration with Brazil in this area.” Flasbarth did not disclose any information regarding the amount of money that will be provided.
According to a report, Lula, who won the run-off election on Sunday (30 November), has pledged to preserve the Amazon rainforest and to reestablish Brazil’s leadership on the issue of climate change. Lula declared in his victory address that Brazil is prepared to resume its leading role in the battle against the global climate problem. “Brazil and the rest of the world are in desperate need of a living Amazon.”
In response to an increase in deforestation in the South American rainforest and disagreements with the administration of incoming President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Norway and Germany withheld money belonging to the Amazon. According to an article that was published in the Guardian, the Amazon Fund has received donations totaling hundreds of millions of euros, and as a result, it has become an integral part of international efforts to reduce deforestation. It was established in 2008 and receives the majority of its funding from Norway. This funding is used to support initiatives in the Brazilian Amazon aimed at preventing, controlling, and combating deforestation, as well as the conservation of resources and the sustainable use of those resources. In doing so, it helps fight climate change. In 2019, Germany froze a total of 35 million euros.
