On Friday, China and Brazil pledged to cooperate in the fight against deforestation and illegal trade that results in forest loss. During a visit to China, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, announcing their collaboration to control the ongoing issue of illegal deforestation. China is Brazil’s largest trading partner and imports significant commodities like crude petroleum and soy from the country. Both nations have agreed to work together to enforce laws banning illegal imports and exports that result in deforestation. They also plan to use satellite information to enhance monitoring and eliminate global illegal logging and deforestation effectively.
Cooperation between China and Brazil for climate leadership
In addition, both countries have decided to establish a Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change to support Brazil’s bid for Cop30, the UN climate talks set for 2025. Da Silva expressed his desire to host the UN climate talks in Belem, the second-largest city in the Amazon region, and China has welcomed Brazil’s candidacy. The joint statement released by the countries indicates their commitment to global climate action, including effective solutions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Cynthia Feitosa, an international relations advisor at the Brazilian think tank Instituto Clima e Sociedade, noted that this is a “very good signal,” but cautioned that the implementation must be carefully thought out.
Concerns about illegal trade and deforestation
A 2019 report by the Brazilian NGO Amazon Watch indicated that companies charged with environmental crimes in the Amazon could still export their products to the international market, particularly to Brazil’s three primary trading partners: China, the EU, and the US. The joint collaboration between Brazil and China intends to put a stop to such illegal trade that fuels deforestation. Feitosa also suggested the establishment of a joint traceability strategy to avoid the export of any product that has deforestation in its supply chain.
China and Brazil are significant developing countries that hold a large influence, placing them in a unique position to lead initiatives in the Global South. Li Shuo, the policy advisor for Greenpeace East Asia, expressed his hope for more forward-looking positions from both countries. He urged a more collaborative posture in negotiations and the search for effective solutions, emphasizing that developed countries must act and so should they.
In conclusion, the collaboration between China and Brazil to tackle illegal trade fueling deforestation is a significant step towards climate action and environmental conservation. By sharing satellite information, the countries hope to enhance monitoring and eliminate global illegal logging and deforestation effectively. The establishment of a Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change and support for Brazil’s bid for Cop30 signifies their commitment to global climate action, but it is essential to put these plans into action with careful implementation.