The environmental issue is no longer just for activists, universities, or ‘tree-hugging hippies,’ as people used to say. It is now a call to human responsibility.

“The environmental issue is no longer just for activists, universities, or ‘tree-hugging hippies,’ as people used to say. It is now a call to human responsibility." — Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of the Republic

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscored his remarks in celebration of World Environment Day with the signing of eight decrees expanding the federal government's environmental protection efforts. The ceremony took place at Planalto Palace in Brasilia

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In addition to the decrees, Lula signed the Pact for Fire Prevention and Control (Pacto pela Prevenção e Controle de Incêndios) with state governors from the Pantanal and the Amazon regions. The pact encompasses coordinated efforts to prevent, prepare for and combat fires and other threats to the vegetation in these two biomes.

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY ACTIONS AND COOPERATION – Before the signing of the acts, Marina Silva, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), presented a summary of key initiatives undertaken by her ministry since January 2023. She emphasized efforts to bolster the environmental agenda and advance the country's shift toward a green and sustainable economy. This transition is crucial for Brazil to adapt effectively to climate change and to mitigate its adverse effects. Silva also called on all sectors of society, including the state and municipal levels, to participate in this effort.

“We must strengthen the National Environment System (Sistema Nacional de Meio Ambiente) to increase the effectiveness of our environmental policies. This responsibility extends beyond the federal government; we also need states and municipalities to help formulate and implement environmental strategies," said the minister. 

Since January 2023, the MMA has been cooperating with various ministries and organizations on five key areas: Bioeconomy, Climate and Climate Emergency, Environmental Protection and Conservation Units for Traditional Peoples and Communities, Institutional Strengthening and the Interfederal Pact.

“The preservation of Brazil's environmental resources demands collective action beyond government initiatives alone. Commitment by the scientific community, civil society, all branches of government, including the Federal Court of Accounts and the National Congress, and every other sector contributing to this cause, is indispensable," said Marina Silva.

ENERGY TRANSITION – Speaking to an audience of ministers, parliamentarians, governors, experts and civil society representatives, Lula said that, in the energy transition, the country must capitalize on its strengths, especially its clean energy matrix. He underscored the urgent need of preparing for the impacts of climate change. 

“The world is grappling with escalating environmental crises that are increasingly hard to manage. Brazil is a global environmental, ecological and energy leader, so it must prioritize this issue to attract investments and drive development. The Northern regions [of Brazil] deserve access to resources enjoyed by the Southern and Southeastern regions," remarked Lula.

Lula also spoke of the need to invest in Brazil's environmental tourism initiatives so more people can engage with the country’s natural beauties. "We have significant assets that are crucial for maintaining air quality. To safeguard the planet's health and humanity's quality of life, we must protect our forest reserves and biomes, including the Pantanal, Caatinga, Pampa, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest. We have immense natural wealth, however, we lack a tourism development policy to bring more people to visit these areas," said the president.

According to the president, Brazil must devise efficient mechanisms to use and conserve natural resources responsibly and sustainably, while fostering state-level development and raising living standards in forest regions.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

DECREES AND INTERFEDERATIVE PACT SIGNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Decree creating the Sauim-de-Coleira Wildlife Reserve (AM)

• Conservation Unit in the municipality of Itacoatiara (AM).
• To protect relevant areas for the conservation of the endangered species Sauim-de-Coleira
• 15,300 hectares (37.807 acres).

Decree creating the São Desidério Caves Natural Monument (BA)

• Conservation Unit in the municipality of São Desidério (BA).
• To protect the largest known cave environment in the country, at Garganta do Bacupari; the largest known underground lake in the country, at Buraco do Inferno, Lagoa do Cemitério. Important archaeological sites and more than 200 caves already recorded.
• 16,000 hectares (39.537 acres).

Pact for the Prevention and Control of Fires in the Pantanal and the Amazon

• Collaborative and integrated actions with state governments
• Preventing, preparing for, and fighting fires in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
• The federal government and the governors of Amazonas, Pará, Acre, Roraima, Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso signed the pact.

Decree creating the National Program for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Mangroves

• Conservation, recovery, and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services associated with mangroves.

Decree creating the National Bioeconomy Strategy

• Coordination and implementation of actions aimed at developing the bioeconomy.
• Establishes the National Bioeconomy Commission.
• Provides for the preparation of the National Bioeconomy Development Plan.

 Decree amending regulation of the Public Forest Management Law

• Transforms the Annual Forest Grant Plan into a Multi-Year Forest Grant Plan.
• Allows carbon credit trading in forest concessions.
• Allows the recognition of collective territorial rights in areas of federal public forests that have not yet been allocated.

 Decree updating the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change (CIM)

• Adds competencies to the CIM to make it more active in Climate Change Policy.

Decree amending the Resilient Green Cities Program

• Increases the resilience of cities in the face of climate change impacts.

Decree creating an extraordinary advisory body for COP30 in the Federal Government

• To support the Ministry of the Environment in dealing with environmental issues at COP30, in conjunction with federal entities and civil society.