Report

Rethinking the Brazilian Amazon

This report from UK think tank Chatham House looks at sustainable development in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Brazilian Amazon, which has long been a symbol of abundant natural and cultural wealth, is at risk of becoming savannah following years of deforestation and degradation. The region could support a bioeconomy of unrivalled richness: however, this cannot be achieved without land-use planning that reflects the priorities and aspirations of the Amazon’s diverse populations and maintains a balance between environmental, social and economic goals. An effective strategy for the Amazon will acknowledge the complexities of the region and further the conservation and development goals of the region’s stakeholders. Brazil’s international development partners must work alongside the country’s state and municipal governments, business, civil society and indigenous populations to ensure the conservation of the rainforest and its biodiversity. This research paper is the outcome of a series of dialogues hosted by Chatham House with stakeholders from the Amazon region and in the international community, whose contributions enabled in-depth exploration of the diversity of opinion on the region and shaped the paper’s recommendations for the most effective interventions.