Brazilian Congress passes destructive new Forest Code

27/04/2012

The Brazilian Congress approved significant changes to the Forest Code, which threatens to undo years of progress in the Amazon. Greenpeace is calling on Brazil’s President Dilma to veto the changes, or risk the loss of the Amazon and the country’s International reputation for sustainable development.

Following years of intense pressure from the giant agribusiness sector, Brazil’s politicians approved a radically new Forest Code text, which rainforest available for destruction.

The existing 76 year old Forest Code is the primary legal instrument protecting Brazil’s forests including the Amazon rainforest. The changes for ambitious CO₂ emissions reduction targets made by President Lula signed during the climate conference in Copenaghen, in December of 2009…The last step for the law now sits with President Dilma. The future of the Amazon and Brazil’s commitments on climate change to the global community hang in the balance.
This decision by the Brazilian Government comes just weeks ahead of hosting the global community at the Rio+20 UN Conference on sustainable development.