Search Climate Insights Directory

ClientEarth asserts that the EU-Mercosur trade deal contradicts the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by allowing Mercosur countries to influence the implementation of EU law and by exposing EU Member States to trade disputes when enforcing deforestation rules. The analysis highlights specific articles in the agreement's Trade and Sustainable Development chapter that may force EU authorities to consider third-country information, potentially biasing objective assessments and country benchmarking processes. Furthermore, the agreement's broad definition of 'measure' and its 'rebalancing mechanism' could lead to legal disputes over EUDR compliance, creating political pressure that jeopardizes the EU's goal of protecting global forests.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to reduce the EU's role in global deforestation by requiring sustainable sourcing of commodities like cattle, cocoa, and wood. However, the regulation has faced strong opposition from producer nations in the Global South, who describe it as 'regulatory imperialism' and a 'discriminatory and punitive unilateral benchmarking system'. These countries argue that the EUDR ignores national laws and shifts the financial burden of compliance onto producers, with Brazil estimating risks to exports worth 15 billion dollars and Indonesia facing potential losses of seven billion dollars. Internal EU political pressure has led to the regulation's postponement to the end of 2025 and the introduction of a 'no-risk' category, which critics warn could create loopholes for deforestation-linked products. The document further notes that some countries are redirecting exports to markets with less stringent requirements, such as China and Africa. It concludes that the EU must involve affected nations in policy drafting and prioritize reducing domestic consumption of high-impact products to achieve genuine sustainability.

Friends of the Earth US evaluates the Biden-Harris administration's 6-point framework to reduce US imports of deforestation-linked commodities. The analysis highlights the role of seven forest risk commodities—palm oil, beef, soy, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and corn—and argues that the US must adopt a holistic approach to combat illegal deforestation, which is often linked to human rights abuses and land grabbing. The organization recommends the creation of a public, transparent federal due diligence procedure independent of third-party certification, the use of Earth-observation data, and coordination with the European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It also advocates for the passage of the federal FOREST Act and contributions to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.

The document clarifies the distinction between the CAR (the national database of rural properties) and Sicar (the technological platform that operationalizes it). It details the complex shared governance between the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) and the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI), particularly following the 2024 migration of data to Dataprev. The briefing assesses the progress of CAR data analysis, noting that while all states have begun the process, only about 3.3% of registries nationwide have been concluded. It highlights the role of automation tools—such as Análise Dinamizada, CAR Digital, and CAR 2.0—in scaling these analyses, while identifying persistent barriers including low data quality and insufficient technical staff.

A study by scientists from the Philippines, UK, and Netherlands found that human-induced climate change, primarily from burning fossil fuels, increased the likelihood of the potential intensity observed during the 2024 late typhoon season in the Philippines by a factor of 1.7. The analysis focused on the sequence of six storms hitting northern Luzon, including Super Typhoon Man-Yi, and found that the probability of at least three major typhoons making landfall in a single year has increased by 25% in the current 1.3°C warmed climate compared to a world without fossil fuel combustion.

The research finds that 36% of subsidized rural credit in Brazil from 2020 to 2024 went to properties that deforested after 2009, with public banks and cooperatives providing 91% of this volume. It highlights a recurring pattern of deforestation both before and after credit is granted and argues for a complete dissociation of public financial incentives from any form of deforestation to meet Brazil's 2030 zero-deforestation target.

The report provides a snapshot of the implementation of Brazil's Forest Code in 2024, focusing on the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and the Environmental Compliance Program (PRA). It highlights a steady increase in CAR registrations, reaching 7.65 million by November 2024, and notes that all states have now initiated the analysis stage, though this remains a significant bottleneck. While some states like São Paulo and Mato Grosso have made substantial progress through automation and legislative changes, only about 3.3% of all registrations nationwide have completed analysis. The report also details the expansion of the PRA, with 19 states and the Federal District having regulated it, and notes the increasing use of Terms of Commitment (ToC) for environmental recovery in states such as Mato Grosso and Pará.

The document evaluates four public-private partnership models for restoring Brazil's public lands: forestry concessions, ordinary tenders, common public service concessions, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). While forestry concessions are the current standard due to the Public Forest Management Law (LGFP), they are limited by strict contractual requirements and high risk for the private sector. The report suggests that ordinary tenders could be effective for planting in fully protected areas, while common concessions and PPPs could offer better risk-sharing and flexibility if forest restoration is legally classified as a public service. The authors recommend legally designating restoration as a public service, improving risk management training for public agencies, and creating a specialized entity to manage environmental assets like carbon credits.

Brazil has implemented a series of public policies, most notably the ABC and ABC+ (RenovAgro) plans, to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience. While the original ABC Plan exceeded its 2010-2020 goals, the more ambitious ABC+ Plan aims to cover 72.68 million hectares by 2030. However, a significant gap remains in financing, with only 6.2% of rural credit in 2022/23 dedicated to low-carbon investments. Recent 2023 regulations have tightened credit access by requiring stricter environmental compliance across all biomes. The authors argue that achieving climate goals requires increased rural credit and improved monitoring and verification of technology adoption.

The document examines policy incoherence regarding deforestation in Colombia, highlighting how vested interests in mining and agriculture, institutional rigidity, and a lack of community involvement undermine conservation efforts. While most policies show positive interactions, current mining laws and military strategies like Operation Artemisa create significant trade-offs and social conflict.

The document details the expansion of salmon aquaculture in Chile, highlighting the ecological damage caused by open-net cages and the violation of Indigenous rights, particularly for the Kawésqar people. It argues that the industry faces increasing financial, legal, and regulatory risks due to its environmental footprint and failure to conduct proper due diligence.

ClientEarth asserts that the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement undermines the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by allowing Mercosur countries to influence EU law enforcement and by creating a dispute settlement mechanism that could be used to challenge EUDR implementation. The organization warns that these concessions may force EU Member States to act inconsistently with their legal obligations to ensure deforestation-free imports.

The report finds that 36% of subsidized rural credit in Brazil between 2020 and 2024 was directed to properties that deforested after 2009. Public banks and credit cooperatives are the primary providers of this credit, with some institutions showing high levels of exposure to deforesting properties. The authors argue for a complete dissociation of subsidized credit from any form of deforestation to meet Brazil's 2030 climate goals.

Brazil has implemented a series of public credit policies, most notably the ABC Plan and its successor ABC+ (RenovAgro), to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase agricultural resilience. While the original ABC Plan (2010-2020) exceeded its targets—reducing 193.67 million Mg of CO2eq—the current ABC+ Plan sets more ambitious goals for 2030, including recovering 30 million hectares of degraded pastures. However, data from Agroicone indicates that only 6.2% of total rural credit in 2022/23 was directed toward low-carbon investments. Since 2023, access to credit has become more restrictive, requiring strict environmental compliance across entire properties, including the mandatory Rural Environmental Registry. The authors argue that Brazil must increase the volume of available rural credit and improve the monitoring of technology adoption to meet its climate goals.

The document assesses the gap between Colombia's robust policy frameworks for the 2030 Agenda and climate goals and their actual implementation, which is hindered by conflicting priorities and institutional weaknesses. It highlights that while most land-use policies are synergistic, specific conflicts—particularly within mining legislation—and the criminalization of peasant farmers through military operations like Operation Artemisa undermine conservation efforts. The authors argue that overcoming this incoherence requires better inter-agency coordination, community engagement, and regional cooperation within the Amazon biome.

The RECAF project seeks USD 35 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and USD 32.434 million in loans from IFAD to reduce GHG emissions by 6.68 MtCO2-eq over 12 years. The project focuses on five provinces: Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Ninh Thuan. It aims to transform 145,000 hectares of forestland into agroforestry systems and protect 500,000 hectares of natural forests. Key strategies include upgrading the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS), establishing public-private-producer partnerships (4Ps) for deforestation-free commodities like coffee and pepper, and implementing a performance-based Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanism. The project targets 420,000 direct beneficiaries, with a strong focus on ethnic minorities and women, to improve livelihoods and climate resilience.

Attribution studies in Brazil indicate that fossil fuel combustion increased the likelihood and intensity of recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul and droughts in the Amazon. Despite these impacts, the Brazilian government continues to support oil and gas expansion, with plans to increase oil production by 63% and gas by 124% by 2032. Petrobras, which controls over 90% of domestic production, is estimated to be responsible for USD 500 billion in climate damages between 2018 and 2023. While Brazil has pledged to reduce emissions by up to 67% by 2035 and has successfully increased wind and solar power to reduce reliance on hydropower, its overall climate policies are rated as 'Insufficient' by Climate Action Tracker.

Trase's co-directors criticize proposed EPP amendments to the EUDR, specifically the introduction of a "no risk" country category. They argue that the criteria for this category—such as stable net forest area—are scientifically flawed and could mask significant deforestation, create legal uncertainty regarding WTO rules, and introduce loopholes that undermine the regulation's effectiveness.

The report identifies a 'triple gap' in planning, finance, and data regarding the transition of global agrifood systems to low-carbon and climate-resilient pathways. It highlights that agrifood systems contribute a third of global greenhouse gas emissions but receive less than 5% of total global climate finance.

WWF International calls on the US Congress and state leadership to finalize several pending bills before the end of 2024. Key priorities include reauthorizing the WILD Act to protect global species, passing the Indian Buffalo Management Act for tribal-led restoration, and enacting the US Foundation for International Conservation Act to leverage private funding. The document also emphasizes the need to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a national security threat, improve recycling infrastructure through the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, and renew the Farm Bill with climate-smart agriculture investments. Additionally, it urges New York Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the TREES Act to prevent deforestation in state supply chains.