A study released Tuesday suggests that protecting the Amazon rainforest and harnessing its potential as an engine of sustainable economic growth could attract billions of dollars to Brazil in the coming decades. The report, by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, says that developing sustainable industries, such as solar energy, and transitioning to low-carbon agriculture could turn Brazil into a green economy powerhouse.
According to the study, this strategy could add up to 40 billion reais ($8.4 billion) a year to the Brazilian economy by 2050. In addition, 312,000 additional jobs would be created over the next three decades, and approximately 810,000 square kilometers of forest would be saved or restored. This would not only protect a vital carbon sink for the planet but also benefit all Brazilians.
The report highlights that 83% of the demand for products from the Brazilian Amazon, such as livestock, crops, and timber, comes from outside the region. It also highlights that the area has a trade deficit of 114 billion reais (US$23.9 billion) a year with the rest of Brazil and the world.
However, changing this model and achieving a transition to a high-productivity, high-employment, high-value-added economy will require significant investment, estimated at an additional US$537 billion by 2050. Despite this cost, the study warns that the cost of inaction would be even higher, with damages from extreme weather events and other climate change impacts.
In summary, the study highlights the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest and harnessing its potential as a driver of a sustainable economy in Brazil. This strategy would not only benefit the environment and the fight against climate change but would also generate employment, income, and economic development for the country.