Location
Room 205
Start Date
3-7-2012 10:30 AM
End Date
3-7-2012 12:00 PM
Description
Brazil is a mega-diverse country and one of the largest parts of the world's forests lies within its territory. The Brazilian Forest Code, a national law that protects all kinds of vegetation, contributes significantly to the achievement of the objectives of the Conventions on Biological Diversity and Climate Changes. Currently, the rapid expansion of the agricultural frontier over the forests, mainly in the Amazon Biome and the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna species), aims towards the cultivation of soya and sugar cane. These cultures increase the profit of agrobusiness and the economic development of Brazil besides being considered sources of renewable energy. Otherwise, the pressure for more room for agrobusiness has impacted on the environment severely. As a consequence, the Brazilian Forest Code has been reviewed, to minimize the obligations concerning forest protection. The proposed changes might undermine the fulfillment of obligations assumed by Brazil in the Convention of Biological Diversity and in the Convention on Climate Change, since the deforestation destroys the biodiversity and generates greenhouse gases. The purpose of this presentation is to critically analyze some changes to the Forest Code, related to forest destruction and its impact on the effectiveness of the CBD and CCC. We will also analyze the relation between the protection of forests in Brazil and the commitments Brazil has undertaken with the international community, to discuss mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of international environmental agreements that are part of the Global Environmental Law.
Presentation
Included in
The Protection of Brazilian Forests and the Effectiveness of International Global Law
Room 205
Brazil is a mega-diverse country and one of the largest parts of the world's forests lies within its territory. The Brazilian Forest Code, a national law that protects all kinds of vegetation, contributes significantly to the achievement of the objectives of the Conventions on Biological Diversity and Climate Changes. Currently, the rapid expansion of the agricultural frontier over the forests, mainly in the Amazon Biome and the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna species), aims towards the cultivation of soya and sugar cane. These cultures increase the profit of agrobusiness and the economic development of Brazil besides being considered sources of renewable energy. Otherwise, the pressure for more room for agrobusiness has impacted on the environment severely. As a consequence, the Brazilian Forest Code has been reviewed, to minimize the obligations concerning forest protection. The proposed changes might undermine the fulfillment of obligations assumed by Brazil in the Convention of Biological Diversity and in the Convention on Climate Change, since the deforestation destroys the biodiversity and generates greenhouse gases. The purpose of this presentation is to critically analyze some changes to the Forest Code, related to forest destruction and its impact on the effectiveness of the CBD and CCC. We will also analyze the relation between the protection of forests in Brazil and the commitments Brazil has undertaken with the international community, to discuss mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of international environmental agreements that are part of the Global Environmental Law.