The Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, announced, on Tuesday (28), along side the special advisor for climate of the United States Government, John Kerry, the formation of a working group to contain the effects of climate change in Brazil, focusing on combating deforestation and the defense of indigenous peoples.

According to the minister, the task force will be composed of representatives of various ministries, seeking to expand the protection of Brazilian biodiversity and oceans, central issues to curb the warming of the planet and contain the emission of greenhouse gases.

"We are making a great effort to protect the forests in the world. And it is essential that the developed world help protect the forest," said Marina Silva.

Initially created in 2015, the working group will now resume and set priorities for joint actions between the two countries. "As part of the update of this agreement with the United States, we will have a working agenda by April, when there will be a meeting at the G20 [a group that brings together the world's 20 largest economies] to align this transition to a more sustainable, just, fraternal and peaceful world," she said.

For Marina Silva, the big challenge will be to combat the negative effects of climate change without causing damage in terms of economic and social development.

Kerry, for his part, said U.S. President Joe Biden has an interest in working with Brazil to reverse climate change and has pledged to collaborate with the Amazon Fund, which brings together donations from global powers for environmental preservation.

The intention of the United States with the resumption of the Amazon Fund is to contribute to climate mitigation projects and to the containment of the increase in global temperature by up to 1.5° C, a value recommended by the Paris Agreement.

The high-level working group will have the priority of improving dialogue between ministries and working on issues of fair transition and inclusion to decarbonize the economy. Representatives of the public, private, philanthropic and multilateral sectors will also enter into the group's composition to discuss climate-related issues at the G20.

The Amazon Fund is administered by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and is intended to support projects to combat deforestation and encourage forest conservation in the Amazon region. It was created in 2008 and has donations from countries such as Norway and Germany. ́

Source: Canal Rural