Challenges for reducing carbon emissions from Land-Use and Land Cover Change in Brazil

Author(s)

Dutra, Debora Joana ; Silveira, Marcus Vinicius Freitas ; Mataveli, Guilherme ; Ferro, Poliana Domingos ; Magalhaes, Deila da Silva ; de Medeiros, Thais Pereira ; Anderson, Liana Oighenstein ; de Aragao, Luiz Eduardo Oliveira e Cruz

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION; v. 22, n. 3, p. 6-pg., 2024-09-23.

Abstract

Brazil, a crucial player in global climate change mitigation, faces challenges in reducing its carbon emissions, of which nearly half are from land use changes. Despite potential reductions that can be achieved through halting deforestation and fostering forest restoration, setbacks in environmental governance have heightened emissions. This article assesses challenges and proposes solutions for conserving and restoring Brazilian biomes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement by 2030. Notably, net carbon emissions from land-use change and forestry increased twofold from 2017 to 2022 due to deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado. Native vegetation clearing peaked at 2.8 Mha in 2022, the largest area since 2008. The deficit of native vegetation within Legal Reserves and Permanent Protection Areas must be addressed through restoration. Achieving SDGs by 2030 demands urgent action against illegal deforestation, reinforced legislation for secondary forest protection, large-scale restoration programs, and economic incentives for forest conservation through payment for ecosystem services to rural landowners. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/11698-8 - The effect of Amazon deforestation on climate and its link to agricultural sustainability
• Grantee: Marcus Vinicius de Freitas Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/16457-3 - MAP-Fire: a virtual platform for managing the carbon balance between fire emissions and secondary forest removals for the State of Maranhão
• Grantee: Liana Oighenstein Anderson
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 21/04019-4 - Prediction of probability of fires and wildfires: climatic and anthropic effects
• Grantee: Débora Joana Dutra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 19/25701-8 - The influence of land use and land cover on fine particulate matter (PM2.5µm) emissions from fire in Amazonia and Cerrado biomes integrating modelling and remote sensing
• Grantee: Guilherme Augusto Verola Mataveli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/03206-0 - Improving biomass burning emissions estimates by updating emission factors values
• Grantee: Guilherme Augusto Verola Mataveli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 20/08916-8 - Prediction of forest degradation as a subsidy for mitigating actions to preventing fires and wildfires
• Grantee: Liana Oighenstein Anderson
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants