REDD+ achievements and challenges in Brazil: Perceptions over time (2015-2019)

Abstract

• This Infobrief examines and discusses REDD+ achievements and challenges in Brazil for the period 2015-2019, reflecting the opinions of relevant actors within the REDD+ policy domain in the country. • Over time, REDD+ initiatives have promoted changes in Brazilian political articulation, funding possibilities and mobilization of civil society, and brought more visibility to the importance of combating deforestation and forest degradation within the country. • In terms of practical implementation, the national REDD+ framework is still quite limited. • Further development of the national REDD+ strategy is a considerable challenge for Brazil, as it is becoming clearer that the current national political rhetoric does not consider fighting and controlling deforestation and climate change as government priorities. • Several major challenges exist because weak forest resource governance, poor enforcement of the environmental legislation, social inequalities, land use conflicts, and lack of political commitment remain in the country's profile. However, international pressure on Brazil to stop deforestation might provide an opportunity for those actors who until now had little presence in the REDD+ political arena.