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

The report monitors the state-level implementation of Brazil's Forest Code in 2020, highlighting that while CAR registration is widespread, the analysis and validation phase remains a critical bottleneck. It notes that only six states have effectively implemented the PRA and discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and federal-level policy uncertainties on these processes.

• The analysis and validation of the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) is the primary obstacle to the implementation of the Forest Code across Brazilian states.
• State-level progress in CAR validation varies significantly: Espírito Santo has validated 72% of its registrations (approximately 70,000), while states like Maranhão, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, and the Federal District have validated only between 25 and 150.
• The Environmental Compliance Program (PRA) is not yet operational in most states; only six states have a fully operational system with signed commitment agreements and monitored compliance plans.
• Financial incentives were introduced in 2020 to encourage CAR validation, including a 10% increase in the credit limit for producers with validated CAR under the 2020/21 Agricultural Plan (Plano Safra).
• The Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) developed IT infrastructure in 2020 for dynamic analysis and environmental regularization modules, intended for state availability in 2021.
• There is significant legal uncertainty regarding the federal PRA, as the instrument remains unregulated despite the December 31, 2020 deadline for rural owners in states without their own PRA to join.
• Legislative proposals, such as Bill 2,429/2020, threaten to increase amnesty for landowners who breached the law, potentially undermining the protection of Legal Forest Reserves.

APA

Chiavari, J., Lopes, C. L., & de Araujo, J. N. (2020). WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Where-does-Brazil-Stand-With-the-Implementation-of-the-Forest-Code-2020-Edition.pdf

Chicago

Chiavari, Joana, Cristina Leme Lopes, and Julia Nardi de Araujo. WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? Climate Policy Initiative, 2020. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Where-does-Brazil-Stand-With-the-Implementation-of-the-Forest-Code-2020-Edition.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chiavari |first1=Joana |last2=Lopes |first2=Cristina Leme |last3=de Araujo |first3=Julia Nardi |title=WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE? |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=December 2020 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Where-does-Brazil-Stand-With-the-Implementation-of-the-Forest-Code-2020-Edition.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chiavari2020where, author = {Chiavari, Joana and Lopes, Cristina Leme and de Araujo, Julia Nardi}, title = {{WHERE DOES BRAZIL STAND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREST CODE?}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2020}, month = dec, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Where-does-Brazil-Stand-With-the-Implementation-of-the-Forest-Code-2020-Edition.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }