Deforestation and emissions in Brazil

Deforestation and forest fire account for more than half of Brazil's CO2 emissions in 2005. Around 57% of CO2 equivalent emissions of Brazil were caused by Land Use and Forests:

Source: Ministry of Science, Technology and InnovationMinistério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Informação.

Note: In green, emissions from Use of Soil and Forests; in yellow, emissions from Agriculture and Cattle Raising; in blue, emissions from Energy; in red, emissions from Industry; in orange, Waste Treatment.
Under the National Policy on Climate Change, from 2009, Brazil made a pledge to reduce by 80% the rate of deforestation in the Amazon biome and by 40% in the Cerrado by 2020.
Brazilian forests overview Brazil is home to the largest continuous forest in the world. Brazilian forests provide a variety of goods and services, playing key social, economic and environmental roles. About 61% of the national territory is covered by native vegetation, spread across biomes with particular characteristics. Protected Areas and indigenous territories cover over 2.5 million square kilometers. Reducing deforestation in the Legal Amazon In 2004, PRODES registered the second highest annual deforestation rate in the Legal Amazon region, reaching 27,772 square kilometers. The same year is marked by the launch of the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm), the Plan involves actions by the Chief of Staff of the Presidency and several other Ministries. Learn more about reducing deforestation in Brazil Learn more about the PPCDAm Since then, deforestation rates in the Legal Amazon have declined considerably, putting Brazil on a track to meet its official targets. A wide range of actions are responsible for this phenomenon, including the creation of protected areas, the strengthening of surveillance and enforcement and coordination between Federal, State, and Municipal level governments.

In grey, the expected deforestation rates. In red, the registered deforestation.
Source: MMA, with data from INPE/PRODES. Brazil in REDD+ negotiations Brazil has been playing a leading role in REDD+ multilateral negotiations. In 2008, Brazil created the Amazon Fund, which is a pioneering initiative drawing international donations, the Norwegian Government being the main donor, based on quantified reduced emissions from deforestation. The Fund is managed by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). In 2010, Brazil made a voluntary commitment to reduce emissions, setting targets of 80% reduction in the Amazon and 40% in the Cerrado by 2020.