Ending deforestation would alienate the president’s base at a time when he needs its support more than ever.
By Oliver Stuenkel
razil gave climate activists a reason to cheer at Cop26 in Glasgow. Astoundingly, Jair Bolsonaro’s government announced that it would reduce methane emissions and – perhaps even more importantly – end illegal deforestation by 2028. This marked a stark contrast to the president’s systemic weakening of environmental protections since taking office three years ago, which has contributed to the highest deforestation rates in more than a decade.
Yet such promises amount to little more than window dressing meant to assuage international critics. The Brazilian government’s pledges made in Glasgow cannot be taken seriously for a simple reason: they would hurt Bolsonaro’s chances to win re-election next year. The October 2022 election already promises to be an epic battle against Lula da Silva, who governed the country from 2003 to 2010, and who is leading most polls.
Loosening restrictions against deforestation and weakening Ibama, Brazil’s environmental watchdog, was..
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