Brazil may surpass the goal of reducing Amazon deforestation by 80% by 2020 and reach a 90% reduction, said this Tuesday, December 8, Brazil's Environment Minister, Carlos Minc, while presenting the National Program for Reduction and Replacement of Fire in Rural and Forest Areas (Pronafogo)
According to the minister, new resources from the Amazon Fund, the sanction of the Climate Change Fund, and the resources that will be brought by the REDD, the United Nations Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries, among other actions, may allow Brazil to exceed the 80% target.
"I think we can reach 90% reduction in deforestation over the same period. To do this, integration work, prevention and planning in fighting fires are essential. Because deforestation and fires account for 18% of all CO2 emissions in the world, but in Brazil they represent more than 60%," he said.
The minister also said that the Pronafogo may be an important mechanism for Brazil to reach the goal of reducing greenhouse gases proposed for Brazil. "This plan will reduce fire and burning in Brazil. It is the beginning of our work to reach the goals Brazil has announced to the world," Minc stated.
He also said Pronafogo will integrate actions of various organs such as the Chico Mendes Institute, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), Fire Department and Civil Defense.
"This will be systematized throughout Brazil. Prevention, integration and planning means to optimize the human and material resources in order to greatly reduce the fires that harm the climate and biodiversity," he added.
According to the ministry, the program's goal is to reduce between 2009 and 2010 by up to 25% the burned area, especially in regions where there are protected areas. By 2013, the intention is to reduce by 75% the burned area.
The plan also includes the hiring by 2013 of 2,572 brigades in 92 municipalities that have no military units to fight fire. There will also be acquired by 2013 equipment such as boats, aircraft and vehicles not only for teams of volunteers but also for teams of firefighters working in regions where there is fire.
ABr
