Khaberni - Last year, Brazil registered the largest annual drop in greenhouse gas emissions since 2009, according to statistics released on Monday, boosting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva amid preparations for hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The overall emissions of the largest country in Latin America decreased by 16.7% on an annual basis, according to the Brazilian Climate Observatory, a network of non-governmental environmental organizations.
This reduction in emissions is attributed to the Lula government's success in combating deforestation.
The observatory stated, "The new data shows the effects of the federal government regaining control over the situation concerning combating deforestation after a period of deliberate negligence between 2019 and 2022."
The statement includes a reference to Lula's right-wing predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who was skeptical about climate change and under whose governance the rate of deforestation accelerated, particularly in the Amazon region, contrary to law.
Lula defeated Bolsonaro in the October 2022 elections to win a third presidential term after serving two consecutive terms from early 2003 to early 2011.
Upon returning to power in January 2023, Lula pledged to put an end to deforestation in Brazil by 2030.
Since then, the rate of deforestation in the Amazon, the largest tropical forest in the world, has steadily declined.
However, despite the encouraging news, the observatory considered that "the data from the Brazilian economy for 2025 (...) does not allow optimism in the forecasts" concerning Brazil's commitment to its emission reduction pledges for this year.
The observatory pointed out Lula's controversial support for a massive oil project off the mouth of the Amazon River.
Last month, Petrobras began oil exploration in the Foz do Amazonas area after winning a five-year environmental dispute to obtain permission to explore the region.
Lula emphasizes that oil revenues will help fund Brazil’s transition to climate sustainability.
His opponents accuse him of issuing contradictory statements as he urges world leaders to enhance their efforts to combat climate change at the upcoming COP30, which will be hosted by the city of Belém in the Amazon from November 10 to 21.
