The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) requests that President Michel Temer veto Provisional Measures No. 756/2016 It is 758/2016. We join the countless voices in society that, in recent weeks, have expressed support for the veto of the measures, which substantially reduce areas of environmental protection and conservation.
The president of the Brazilian Foundation for Sustainable Development and one of the pioneers of sustainability in Brazil, Israel Klabin, wrote a open letter to the president, highlighting Brazil's leading role in climate issues around the world and the setback that the sanction of the MPs would represent. Before him, six former Environment Ministers launched a letter to the leaders of the 21st century, highlighting that the measures pave the way for environmental degradation in the region, recommending a veto and the restart of the debate, with the involvement of stakeholders in this agenda. The Brazil Climate, Forests and Agriculture Coalition, of which CEBDS is one of the founders, also released position against the sanction of the measures.
MP 756 changes the boundaries of the Rio Novo National Park and the Jamanxim National Forest in Pará, and removes 20% from the area of the São Joaquim National Park in Santa Catarina. MP 758 shrinks the Jamanxim National Park and the Tapajós Environmental Protection Area. Both measures reduce the state's protection, especially in the Amazon Region, and open space for the illegal exploitation of natural resources and increased deforestation.
Since 2014, the deforestation rate in the country has been increasing. According to the Inpe data, in 2016 deforestation in the Amazon grew by 29% compared to the previous year. The number is even more worrying if we take into account the international commitments signed by Brazil, such as the Paris Agreement.
In order to achieve the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37% by 2025, with an indicative of 43% by 2030, combating deforestation is essential, both for its economic value and for its intangible value. The Brazilian NDC is clear in its objective: Brazil needs to end illegal deforestation by 2030. In our study Opportunities and Challenges of the Brazilian NDC Targets for the Business Sector, we emphasize that the elimination of illegal deforestation opens up the market for timber products from reforestation or well-managed native forests.
The country must follow the path of strengthening a forest-based economy, thus allowing the expansion of the supply of inputs that can replace others with high carbon intensity.
Provisional Measures 756 and 758 go against the essential transition that the country must make towards a virtuous cycle for the consolidation of a low-carbon economy, also damaging Brazil's reputation on the international stage. Therefore, CEBDS reiterates its request that President Michel Temer veto these measures.
