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This research paper proposes a spatial multiplier model to estimate how forest disturbances in the Amazon are amplified and propagated to other regions via atmospheric flow. The study finds that wind-mediated cascading effects double the average impact of initial damage, with some regions experiencing amplification up to 250%.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the implementation of forest concessions in the Brazilian Amazon, with a specific focus on the state of Pará. It identifies governance failures—including the annulment of bidding processes, failure to grant areas, and contract terminations—as significant barriers to the success of the Public Forest Management Law (LGFP). The document recommends improving the technical capacity of managing agencies and removing legal restrictions on the number and size of areas a single company can manage to allow for greater scale and efficiency.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) examines the implementation and governance of forest concessions in the Brazilian Amazon, with a specific focus on the state of Pará. It analyzes why federal and state concession goals have not been met, identifying governance failures such as annulled bids, non-concession of areas, and contract terminations. The document recommends removing legal limits on the number of concessions a single company can hold and improving the training of public officials to enhance the quality of bidding procedures.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative/PUC-Rio examines the role of the Brazilian Judiciary in combating land grabbing (grilagem) in the Amazon. It analyzes the Judiciary's dual function: the administrative oversight of land registries (cartórios) and the jurisdictional resolution of land disputes. Using Pará as a primary case study, the report highlights the effectiveness of administrative cancellations of fraudulent titles but warns against a 'civilist' view of possession that can legitimize illegal occupations of public lands. It also explores strategic litigation, including climate damage claims and the protection of traditional communities' collective land rights.

This briefing paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes the state of sustainable finance in Brazil's agricultural sector as of June 2023. It details the growth of the Green, Social, Sustainability, and Transition (GSS+) debt market, the specific use of proceeds for forestry, agriculture, livestock, and bioenergy, and the role of national policies and international regulations in driving decarbonization.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the impact of the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) on Brazilian agribusiness. It examines how Brazil's existing environmental policies, such as the Forest Code and various monitoring systems, align with the EUDR's requirements and identifies the opportunities and challenges for Brazil to maintain and expand its market share in the European Union.

This guide, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, outlines the interconnected nature of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato si', it calls for a fundamental shift from an exploitative relationship with the planet to one of care and stewardship, emphasizing the need for systemic economic changes and the protection of the most vulnerable populations.

This guide, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Holy See, outlines the interconnected nature of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and social injustice. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato si', it calls for a fundamental shift from a relationship of exploitation to one of care for the planet, emphasizing the need to abandon fossil fuels and reduce overconsumption to protect the 'common home'.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes deforestation within rural settlements in the Amazon biome between 2012 and 2022. It highlights that a small number of settlements are responsible for a disproportionate amount of forest loss and argues for targeted government interventions, combining environmental monitoring and enforcement with sustainable economic incentives like payments for environmental services.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative and PUC-Rio analyzes deforestation within rural settlements in the Amazon biome from 2012 to 2022. It finds that deforestation is highly concentrated in a small number of settlements, often located near federal highways, and suggests that targeted government interventions—combining strengthened environmental monitoring with sustainable economic incentives—are essential to achieving Brazil's goal of zero deforestation by 2030.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes forest replenishment (reposição florestal) legislation in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes. It argues that current implementation is outdated, focusing on biomass supply for markets rather than ecological compensation for biodiversity loss, and highlights significant failures in the management of replenishment funds and recent legislative setbacks in Goiás.

The report documents the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City from 21-22 June 2023. The meeting focused on financial sustainability, the establishment of new science-policy initiatives, and the strengthening of equity and diversity within the organization's research and training frameworks.

The report details the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-31) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City from June 21-22, 2023. The meeting focused on administrative approvals, the establishment of new scientific and diplomatic initiatives, and the strengthening of the science-policy interface in the Americas.

The report warns that the Amazon is nearing a tipping point where deforestation disrupts the water cycle, causing a 'domino effect' of degradation. CPI/PUC-Rio modeling shows that for every 100 trees deforested, 22 more die in distant areas due to water loss. If deforestation reaches 40%, the forest could lose 60% of its vegetation density and face climate collapse.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CPI/PUC-Rio) examines how deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest triggers a 'domino effect' of degradation in distant areas by disrupting the water cycle and 'flying rivers'. Using a climate-forest model, the authors demonstrate that deforestation reduces rainfall downwind, leading to further tree death and potentially pushing the forest toward a tipping point and climate collapse.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the decision by the state of Roraima to reduce the Legal Reserve (Reserva Legal) requirement from 80% to 50% in forest areas. The authors argue that this policy change, enabled by the 2012 Forest Code and the state's 2022 Ecological-Economic Zoning (ZEE-RR), may accelerate deforestation, contradict national climate goals, and set a precedent for other Amazonian states.

Minutes from the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group meeting on May 31, 2023, detailing the strategic framework for the 2023-2027 phase. The discussion focuses on two primary programmes: 'Renegotiating Social Contracts' to build societal support for green transformation, and 'Promoting a Shared Global Green Deal' to create a multilateral economic architecture that prevents trade wars between major powers and supports developing nations.

This briefing provides an update on the Initiative for enhancing capacity for climate risk assessment and catalyzing partnerships to inform decisions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LACI). It details the initiative's progress from a scoping and partnership building phase involving 14 countries to a pilot co-design phase featuring four specific projects aimed at strengthening climate risk assessments and data interoperability in the region.

This briefing provides an update on the Initiative for Conducting a National Climate Assessment in Support of Adaptation and Mitigation (LACI), an effort led by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) to strengthen climate risk assessments and decision-making in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative/Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes deforestation and land tenure in the Amazon biome from 2012 to 2021. It identifies critical areas for public intervention and proposes a coordinated strategy between the Brazilian federal and state governments, focusing on rural settlements, the implementation of the Forest Code on private lands, and the territorial zoning of undesignated public areas.