Rethinking the Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon has long been a symbol of natural and cultural wealth, suggesting mythical abundance and vast untapped potential. Yet vast swathes of the tropical forest are destroyed each year, and it is at risk of turning into a degraded savannah. The Amazon could support a rich bioeconomy, but this will not be accomplished without land-use planning that reflects the priorities of Brazil’s diverse society and promotes a balance between environmental, social and economic goals. Law enforcement, transparent land titling efforts and a broad economic and social agenda are all essential to advance the agenda of a sustainable Amazon – as is the active participation of indigenous and traditional populations in the design of lasting solutions for the region. Implementation of Brazil’s ambitious plans for the Amazon region have been hampered by a lack of government coordination at the national level, and several essential public institutions have been weakened, with reduced budget allocation and/or staffing. The international community can help to address many of the underlying causes of deforestation, but a strategy for the Amazon needs to acknowledge the complexity of the region, including the balance between conservation and development goals. An international agenda to foster the conservation of the forest and its biodiversity, to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change must be undertaken in partnership with the Brazilian people. This paper is the result of a series of dialogues hosted by Chatham House with a range of stakeholders from the Amazon region, and in the international community. Their contributions enabled in-depth exploration of the diversity of opinions and suggested approaches to addressing the challenges of the Amazon region which shaped the findings and recommendations that were synthesized in this document.