Brazil's environmental policy faces political hurdles

Significance

During the campaign leading up to the election, in which he narrowly beat incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, Lula had pledged to tackle deforestation of the Amazonian rainforest, whose levels had soared in recent years, and adopt sound policies for other environmental issues and Brazil’s indigenous populations.

Impacts

• Territories controlled by indigenous populations are seen as vital for reducing deforestation.
• The creation this year of the Ministry for Indigenous Peoples has increased the political leverage of indigenous groups.
• The Supreme Court is soon expected to reject an initiative that could drastically restrict indigenous territories.