Biden visits the Amazon and announces more than 50 million dollars for projects

USA announced coalition to raise US$10 billion (R$57 billion) for restoration and conservation projects. The American government, BTG Pactual and 12 other partners intend to mobilize public and private investments to restore 5.5 million hectares by 2030, reduce emissions by 2050 and invest US$500 million (R$2.8 billion) in projects to indigenous peoples and local communities in the Brazilian Amazon.

Investment in reforestation project in Pará and neighboring regions. The US made a loan of US$37.5 million (R$217 million) to Mombak Gestora de Recursos to support a project that involves planting native trees in degraded pastures. The action is expected to sequester 5 million tons of CO2 over 50 years. CO2 is mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect.

Support for the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, announced by Brazil at COP28. The fund must attract private capital for forest conservation. “The U.S. is announcing support to help finalize the technical and analytical work needed to design and configure the Fund.”

Investment of US$4 million (R$23 million) in the Tapajós for Life project to conserve 7 million hectares of protected areas, indigenous lands and local communities in the Tapajós river basin. “It will expand sustainable community value chains and improve territorial management within the river basin.”

Implementation of mini-grids to bring reliable and clean energy to vulnerable communities in the Legal Amazon. The objective is to support the Lula (PT) government’s Amazon Energy Program, contributing to the social and economic development of the region.

The American government also announced support for other private and public projects to preserve threatened biomes in Brazil. One of them is a partnership with the Brazilian government to combat illegal logging and investments of US$1.4 million (R$8.1 million) in actions against illegal mining and mercury trafficking. Another project uses technology from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to map fire areas almost in real time for the Alarm System at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.