Antalya: Brazil aims to share its experience in combating deforestation and restoring degraded land with Trkiye at the UN climate summit COP31, to be held in Antalya from Nov. 9-20, according to Brazil's agricultural attache to Trkiye.
According to Anadolu Agency, Diego Leonardo Rodrigues stated that climate change is impacting agriculture globally, affecting both Brazil and Trkiye. As temperatures rise, the agricultural sector faces significant challenges. Brazil's vulnerability to climate events is heightened by the fact that agriculture constitutes about half of its exports. With the El Nino phenomenon expected to intensify, certain crops might experience yield reductions of 5 to 10%, prompting a shift in production areas toward regions with lower water usage and the rescaling of certain crops.
Rodrigues highlighted Brazil's satellite-based deforestation monitoring system, developed over the past five years to track changes in forests and curb illegal deforestation. He emphasized that Brazil's approach to transparency allows global access to deforestation data, showcasing both successes and areas needing improvement. This transparency, he noted, is crucial for understanding the situation in the Amazon and other biomes.
He further mentioned that Brazil achieved record funding for forest restoration this year, focusing on maintaining indigenous and forest communities as guardians of these vital ecosystems. While acknowledging Trkiye's strong reforestation efforts, Rodrigues noted concerns about artificial reforestation, which can lead to biodiversity issues-topics expected to be addressed at COP31.
Rodrigues identified restoring degraded land as a key area for collaboration between Brazil and Trkiye. Both nations face similar challenges with land degradation, and Brazil's experience in recovering extensive areas of degraded land could offer valuable insights. He cited Brazil's financing mechanisms for restoration, including low-interest loans for sustainable farming practices, and policies promoting the reuse of organic waste and biofertilizers, which help sequester carbon in the soil.
The Caminho Verde (Green Way) program, aiming to recover up to 40 million hectares of degraded land in the next decade, serves as an example of Brazil's commitment to transforming degraded areas into productive, sustainable agricultural land.
Rodrigues emphasized the importance of achieving consensus in addressing complex climate challenges, noting the need for cooperation across diverse national circumstances. He expressed optimism that COP31 would prioritize implementation, focusing on effective use of funds to tackle climate change and enhance environmental programs.