Kerry, Biden’s climate advisor, travels to Brasilia – 02/24/2023 – Environment

The special envoy for the climate of the United States government, John Kerry, travels to Brasília between the 26th and 28th (from this Sunday until Tuesday) for meetings with Brazilian authorities.

Kerry is the top adviser on climate change on US President Joe Biden’s team. According to the US embassy, ​​Kerry “will continue the Brazil-US climate change working group, which Presidents Biden and Lula relaunched during their February 10 meeting” in Washington.

“Kerry will meet with senior Brazilian government officials, congressional representatives and civil society leaders. They will discuss opportunities for Brazil and the US to collaborate in combating the climate crisis, curbing and reversing deforestation, advancing the transition to clean energy and building a strong bioeconomy,” said the diplomatic mission.

According to interlocutors, the initial forecast is that Kerry will have meetings with vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and ministers Marina Silva (Environment) and Sonia Guajajara (Originous Peoples).

There is no official information about a meeting between Kerry and Lula, although it is not uncommon for the president to receive foreign officials while passing through the capital.

One of the focuses of Kerry’s trip to Brazil should be the Amazon Fund.

Created in 2008, the fund operates with payments based on the results of conservation of the Amazon rainforest. Donations take place when there is a drop in deforestation rates, based on Inpe data. Payments are voluntary and can be made by other governments as well as companies.

The fund is managed by the BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) along with two committees: a technical one, which certifies emissions data and calculations, and another advisor, with members of civil society, which defines criteria for the application of resources .

In a joint statement released after the recent meeting between Lula and Biden, the possible US entry as a donor to the fund was announced. “As part of these efforts [de combate à crise do clima]the US has announced its intention to work with Congress to provide resources for programs to protect and conserve the Brazilian Amazon, including initial support for the Amazon Fund, and to leverage investments in this very important region.”

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