Brazil has moved beyond the environmental policies of former president Jair Bolsonaro and is focused on protecting the Amazon rainforest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Joao Paulo Ribeiro Capobianco has told Anadolu during COP31 in Türkiye.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN climate conference in Antalya, Capobianco said the government was concentrating on restoring environmental protections and accelerating climate action rather than confronting the former administration.
"We don't need to fight against Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is in the past. We are in the future," he said.
Bolsonaro's presidency drew widespread criticism from environmental groups and Indigenous communities over policies seen as encouraging economic development in the Amazon at the expense of forest protection.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to office in January 2023, pledged to reverse that approach by strengthening environmental enforcement, tackling illegal deforestation and protecting indigenous territories.
Asked whether Brazil might pursue legal action against Bolsonaro over environmental damage during his presidency, Capobianco said the government's priority was to rebuild protections.
"Our decision was to restart the process, to change everything, to protect the forest," he said.
Reversing forest loss
Capobianco said Brazil had made significant progress in reversing forest loss since Lula returned to power, citing a 71 percent reduction in deforestation in the Amazon.
He added that reducing forest loss across the country's other ecosystems could prevent approximately 560 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is a very important contribution for the environment and the Earth," he said.
The minister said Brazilian voters had backed Lula's environmental agenda, including forest protection, biodiversity conservation, improved living standards and efforts to combat poverty.
He pledged that the government would continue implementing its policies with public support.
"We need to move on," he added.
Brazil calls for global climate finance and fossil fuel roadmaps
At COP31, Brazil is promoting international roadmaps to halt deforestation and forest degradation, while also beginning work on a separate roadmap addressing fossil fuel use.
Capobianco highlighted the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, an initiative designed to mobilise long-term funding for tropical forest conservation, as a key contribution to global climate action.
He called for international agreement on plans to end deforestation, reduce fossil fuel use and mobilise $1.3 trillion in climate finance, particularly to support developing countries.
The minister said vulnerable nations needed greater investment, technology transfers and international cooperation to strengthen their ability to adapt to the effects of global warming.
"We need more investment, more action to guarantee the resources, technology transfer and cooperation," he said.
He also urged countries to strengthen emissions-reduction commitments and submit updated nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.
Capobianco said 44 countries had yet to submit their updated climate plans, stressing the need for more ambitious action to keep global warming under control.
Minister praises Türkiye as COP31 host
Capobianco also welcomed Türkiye's role as host of COP31, praising the country and its people.
He expressed hope that the Antalya summit would deliver meaningful progress in international climate cooperation and strengthen global efforts to tackle climate crisis.
"I believe that COP31 will be very important," he said.
