London, UK: In a move to support Brazil’s efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest, Britain has pledged to contribute approximately $100 million to the Brazilian government’s environmental fund. The South American country has been ramping up its efforts to safeguard Amazon under its new leadership, and this commitment from Britain is expected to bolster those efforts.

Ahead of King Charles III’s coronation, British Prime Minister Mr. Rishi Sunak and Brazil’s President Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met in London on 5th May 2023 and announced a significant contribution of approximately $100 million to the Amazon Fund. The new Brazilian president, who took office in January 2023, has been actively working towards protecting the environment, and this move by Britain is expected to further support Brazil’s efforts to safeguard the Amazon rainforest.

Established in 2009 to combat deforestation and promote sustainable initiatives in the Brazilian rainforest, the Amazon Fund has been a crucial tool in preserving this vital natural reserve, which absorbs fumes from oil, natural gas, and coal in South America. However, the fund’s governing committee was partially dismantled by former rightist President Mr. Jair Bolsonaro when he assumed office in 2019. It has now been reinvigorated by Brazil’s current leftist President, Mr. Lula, who has been making efforts to strengthen environmental protection measures.

Taking to Twitter, British Prime Minister commended President for his leadership in addressing climate change and expressed his delight in announcing Britain’s pledge to contribute $101 million to the Amazon Fund. Mr. Sunak noted that this contribution will aid in halting deforestation and safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the region.

During Bolsonaro’s presidency, donations to the Amazon Fund had been halted, but earlier this year, US President Mr. Joe Biden pledged to follow in the footsteps of Norway and Germany by resuming contributions to the initiative.

Back in April 2023, Mr. Joe Biden announced his plans to request congressional approval to allocate $500 million to the Amazon Fund over the next five years. However, administration officials have expressed concerns about the likelihood of securing congressional support for climate initiatives abroad, particularly with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

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