Integrating approaches to boost climate action
WASHINGTON, December 14th, 2017 - A US$60 million grant approved today by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors for the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes project will help increase the forest area under protection, restoration and sustainable management in the Brazilian Amazon.
The Amazon biome ranges over 9 countries, with 60 percent of the rain forest located in northern Brazil. It is the largest continuous tropical rain forest in the world, covering over 4 million square kilometers. Its vast forests significantly influence regional and global climates and sequester approximately 70 billion tons of carbon. Its biological diversity includes over 16,000 known tree species, and 2,500 species of fishes. About 33 million people live in the Amazon watershed, deriving their livelihoods from rivers and tributaries, including important fishery resources.
“The Amazon has an important role in regulating global climate change and ensuring Brazil’s social and economic development”, said Sarney Filho, Brazil’s Minister of Environment. “This new project will support the government actions to achieve zero illegal deforestation and contribute to Brazil’s commitment to restore 12 million hectares of forests by 2030”.
The project will also support the creation of new protected areas, the consolidation of the existing ones under the Amazon Protected Areas Program (ARPA), and support mechanisms for long-term financial sustainability of the Brazilian Amazon protected areas system. Altogether, 63 million hectares will be protected by the ARPA Program, the largest initiative for tropical forest conservation in history.
“Climate change is a threat to global development and the poorest pay the highest price,” explained Martin Raiser, World Bank Director for Brazil. “The Brazil Amazon Sustainable Landscape project contributes importantly to Brazil’s climate commitments and does so in a way that protects local communities and offers them sustainable livelihoods”.
Among the outcomes supported by the project are:
- Reduce deforestation and the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats
- Prevent the extinction of endangered species and improving their conservation status
The Brazil Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Project contributes to an innovative regional Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiative with the objective to protect globally significant biodiversity and implement policies to foster sustainable land use and restoration of native vegetation coverage.
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