Trump and Bolsonaro's implementation of punitive tariffs and climate policies under fire by Brazil's Environment Minister Silva
Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva has called for a proactive role in the upcoming COP30 climate conference, to be held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. Silva emphasizes the need for this conference to be the "COP of implementation," turning past climate pledges into tangible actions.
In her recent interview with Der Spiegel, Silva expressed her commitment to preventing the dismantling of Brazil's environmental licensing system, which she views as crucial for protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining Brazil's international credibility. She has been assigned by President Lula da Silva to submit proposals for alternatives to correct problematic points of the bill.
Silva has also criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change and denounced Donald Trump's tariffs against Brazil as legally impermissible due to the division of powers in the country. She has accused the former President Jair Bolsonaro, his party, and the Bolsonaro family of working with the U.S. government to avoid criminal charges.
In the realm of climate action, Silva insists on securing US$1.3 trillion in international financing to support vulnerable countries, doubling global renewable energy production, and establishing a clear roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and deforestation. She asserts that Brazil, under President Lula da Silva, is committed to reducing deforestation to zero by 2030 and supports environmental protection.
However, Silva has not yet specified any alternative proposals for the environmental licensing law. She has expressed the need for these countries to take a strategic role in the COP30 conference, including Brazil, the European Union, Britain, South Africa, China, and India, to ensure that the world meets its climate goals.
Silva also condemned Trump for demanding the dropping of charges against Bolsonaro while imposing 50 percent tariffs on Brazil. She asserts that COP30 should focus on implementing existing agreements, including limiting global warming to 1.5°C, providing funds for implementation, tripling renewable energy, and phasing out deforestation.
In summary, Silva is firmly opposed to weakening Brazil's environmental protections and views legislative measures, such as the controversial Bill 2159, as potentially harmful. Her main focus lies in environmental protection and COP30 preparation within Brazil, rather than trade disputes or individual political figures.
- Marina Silva, the Brazilian Environment Minister, believes in the significance of environmental-science and science, emphasizing their roles in addressing climate-change and space-and-astronomy.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation, Silva is working on proposing alternatives to address problematic points in bills, with a specific emphasis on the environmental licensing system.
- General-news outlets have reported Silva's criticisms of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the tariffs imposed by former President Trump, which she views as legally impermissible.
- Silva is advocating for Brazil to play a proactive role in the COP30 climate conference, notably focusing on implementation of previous climate pledges, reducing deforestation, and increasing international funding for renewable energy production.
