Minc defends transfer of resources from environmental fund for poor countries

16/12/2009 - At a press conference held yesterday (December 15) at COP-15, in Copenhagen, the Brazilian minister of the Environment, Carlos Minc, argued that part of the resources from a global environmental fund should be destined to the poorest countries in the world, such as the Africans and those located in small islands, to finance projects which will allow them adapt to the effects of climate change. However, according to Minc, emerging countries like Brazil, China and India should receive resources for mitigation actions for theirs emissions of gases that cause global warming.

Minc also defended an "eco-solidarity" among the countries, and said that Brazil is already doing its part. The minister highlighted that 20% of the resources raised by the Amazon Fund will go to conservation projects in other Amazonian countries, besides Brazil.

In addition, the Brazilian federal government has given support to the poorest countries, helping them to monitor deforestation by satellite. Minc said that without such monitoring, these countries can not apply for funding by REDD for the maintenance of the standing forest.

Regarding the goals of reducing CO2 emissions by 2020, put forward by Brazil during the COP-15, the minister said he was optimistic. He estimates that the country can reach 90% less deforestation in the Amazon, by 2020 - more than the 80% envisaged in the plan's goals. In 2009, Brazil registered the lowest deforestation rate of the past 21 years: 7,000 km², the expected number to be reached only in 2014.

"I think Brazil can go beyond the proposed target", he said. Due to this good performance, the minister said he expected new donations to the Amazon Fund, which will strengthen actions to combat deforestation in the region.

And to reinforce his optimism regarding the government's actions to meet goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, Minc recalled that the National Fund for Climate Change, recently sanctioned by President Lula, will set aside about R$ 1 billion per year, originating from the profit of oil activity, for actions to combat global warming.

Da MMA