WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE?

This executive summary analyzes the state-level implementation of Brazil's Forest Code (Law no. 12,651/2012), focusing on the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and the Environmental Compliance Program (PRA). It evaluates the progress of various Brazilian states in regulating and executing these instruments to align agricultural growth with natural resource protection.

• The implementation of the Forest Code requires a sequential process where properties must first complete registration and validation in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) before they are eligible to join the Environmental Compliance Program (PRA) for forest restoration. The document warns that focusing exclusively on CAR validation before implementing the PRA can delay compliance and create uncertainty for landholders.
• While all Brazilian states have made progress in CAR registration, significant bottlenecks exist in the analysis and validation phase due to low-quality registrations and a lack of human and technical resources. Ten states have not yet begun the validation process.
• The implementation of the PRA is uneven across the country; it has been effectively implemented in only five states, characterized by functional operations, signed commitment agreements, and active monitoring of restoration in Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Forest Reserves.
• Regional disparities are evident in the implementation of the Forest Code. The North and Central-West regions have made the most progress, while the Northeast region is the furthest behind, with six states lacking any regulation. Bahia is noted as an exception in the Northeast for its advanced progress and unique implementation mechanisms.
• Regarding forest restoration, twelve states have not established any rules for environmental compliance in APPs and Legal Forest Reserves. Among those that have, the most common method for Legal Forest Reserve compensation is the donation of private areas within public Conservation Units to the government, a practice adopted by twelve states.
• There is significant uncertainty and legal risk regarding the federal PRA, as rules for joining the program and the division of responsibilities between federal and state entities have not been established. The document suggests the federal government should instead provide minimum requirements to support lagging states.

APA

Chiavari, J., & Lopes, C. L. (2020). WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Executive-Summary-CAR-PRA.pdf

Chicago

Chiavari, Joana, and Cristina Leme Lopes. WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? Climate Policy Initiative, 2020. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Executive-Summary-CAR-PRA.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chiavari |first1=Joana |last2=Lopes |first2=Cristina Leme |title=WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=January 2020 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Executive-Summary-CAR-PRA.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chiavari2020where, author = {Chiavari, Joana and Lopes, Cristina Leme}, title = {{WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE?}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2020}, month = jan, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Executive-Summary-CAR-PRA.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }