South America
Carbon taxes are key to stop deforestation
In Colombia and Costa Rica, where governments have imposed carbon taxes, deforestation rates are down, while revenues to fund forest restoration efforts are up
Indigenous lands, protected areas limit Amazon’s carbon emissions
Greater international support for indigenous land rights and livelihoods is a cost-effective way to limit climate change, PNAS study
Chile delays emissions goal boost at its own UN climate talks
The presidency of Cop25 had planned to mark the conference by taking a leading role in raising ambition, but that announcement is now expected in 2020
Catholic church denounces ‘attacks’ on Amazon people and forest
Setting up a collision with Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, the church said ‘ecocidal’ projects should be stopped and proposed indigenous-led development plan
Massive protests and disruption in Chile ahead of trade and UN climate summits
Government said plans for the meetings had not changed, but protesters and military remain on the streets and the death toll has reached 18
After 11 days of civil unrest, Ecuador reinstates fossil fuel subsidies
Cuts to subsidies, imposed without an alternative, led to price rises, strife and, eventually, a government backdown
Brazil fights attempt to cancel its old carbon credits
Credits from an old regime could undermine the Paris climate agreement, but negotiations ended in stalemate after the biggest holders dug in their heels
Europeans must face their own role in the destruction of the Amazon
Through consumption of agricultural products that can drive deforestation, the EU is complicit in the loss of the great forest, it’s time lawmakers stepped up
Seven stories that will help you understand the destruction of the Amazon
CHN’s correspondent has been documenting the forces tearing the Amazon apart since long before the world heard of Jair Bolsonaro. Here are several must read stories
Brazil says South American countries will meet over Amazon wildfires
President Jair Bolsonaro made the announcement after meeting with his Chilean counterpart on Wednesday
G7 countries offer $20 million emergency aid to fight Amazon wildfires
The Brazilian government has suggested it would reject the offer after president Jair Bolsonaro’s chief of staff said the resources are “more relevant to reforest Europe”
Ireland threatens to block Mercosur trade deal unless Brazil protects Amazon
Leo Varadkar said Ireland could vote against the free trade deal between South American countries and the EU over deforestation and wildfires concerns
Record 72,000 forest fires detected in Brazil this year
Brazil’s space research center INPE reported 9,507 new forest fires across the country, mostly in the Amazon basin, since last Thursday
Bolsonaro shrugs off German aid cuts, as deforestation surges
Brazil “doesn’t need” €35 million of international funds earmarked to protect the Amazon rainforest, the president insists
Trade deal binds Brazil to Paris Agreement, says top EU official
‘President Bolsonaro chose, and came with us,’ said Cecilia Malmström, as she defended the EU deal with several South American nations
EU-Mercosur trade deal will drive Amazon deforestation, warns ex-minister
French former minister Nicolas Hulot slammed pact with South American countries, saying it would enable rainforest clearance under Brazil’s Bolsonaro regime
A brutal murder reveals the chaos spreading in Bolsonaro’s Amazon
When Carlos Cabral was killed this month, it seemed history was repeating itself in a corner of the Amazon known for violence. But the real story was more disturbing
Coal-dependent Chile vows to eradicate fuel by 2040
The host of the next UN climate talks announced its ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, which will require one of the fastest coal shut downs anywhere
Brazil reverses decision to cancel Latin American climate week
Government backtracks under pressure from mayor of host city, who is a political friend of president Jair Bolsonaro
Brazil cancels Latin American climate summit
After backing out of hosting the 2019 UN climate summit, the Bolsonaro administration has changed its plan to hold a week-long event in Salvador