Brazil's Lula Vows 'Zero Deforestation' of Amazon After Bolsonaro Defeat

Norway is ready to resume discussions on financial aid to protect the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, following the election of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president of Brazil.

The Scandinavian nation looks forward to discuss with the incoming Brazilian government the steps needed to reopen the Amazon Fund, an international conservation initiative set up with Germany in 2008, Norway Environment Minister Espen Barth said Monday.

“We have noticed clear positive signals from the Lula campaign regarding policy initiatives intended to quickly reduce deforestation in the Amazon. This is globally significant,” Barth said in an e-mailed reply to questions. “We welcome Brazil back as a global partner in efforts to reduce deforestation.”

The nation halted its collaboration along with Germany two years ago to protest Jair Bolsonaro’s policies, which had increased deforestation in a forest crucial to reduce carbon emitions. The Fund, managed by Brazil’s development bank BNDES, was created to raise donations earmarked for non-refundable investments in preventing, monitoring and combating deforestation.