par jake spring
BRASILIA, April 23 (Reuters) – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has approved a 24% cut in Brazil’s environmental budget for 2021 from last year’s level, according to official figures released on Friday, just one day after pledging to ” increase spending to fight against deforestation.
Speaking Thursday at the climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, Jair Bolsonaro pledged to double the budget for environmental law enforcement and end illegal deforestation by 2030.
The US government has applauded the goals, which are part of a change in tone by the Brazilian leader, although many environmentalists have said they will not take the rhetoric seriously until they see real progress.
Less than 24 hours later, Jair Bolsonaro signed the 2021 federal budget, which provides for 2 billion reais (302 million euros) for the Minister of the Environment and the agencies he oversees, a decrease compared to 2.6 billion initially approved last year, according to the official government gazette. Expenses can be adjusted during the year.
Jair Bolsonaro vetoed a list of environmental budget arrangements worth $ 240 million (€ 198 million), including spending on environmental law enforcement. (French version Camille Raynaud)
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