MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Norway pays Brazil US$ 70m for deforestation reduction in the Amazon in 2017

Norway's money will go to the Amazon Fund, a joint project backed by Brazil and Germany, which helps pay for management of 1 million square km of Amazon

Norway will pay Brazil US$ 70 million for reducing deforestation in the Amazon in 2017 but is concerned over a more recent surge in the destruction of the world's largest tropical rainforest, according to a Norwegian government statement.

Norway's statement comes as right-wing President-elect Jair Bolsonaro threatens to pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate change and end environmental fines, spurring activist fears that deforestation could accelerate.

Bolsonaro also pushed the Brazilian government to withdraw its offer to host next year's United Nations climate conference, saying foreign involvement in the Amazon threatened Brazil's sovereignty.

Norway's money will go to the Amazon Fund, a joint project also backed by Brazil and Germany, which helps pay for management of 1 million square km (247 million acres) of Amazon, a system for registering rural properties that aids in monitoring deforestation, and other services aimed at preserving the rainforest.

The annual funding is linked to Brazil's success in reducing Amazon deforestation in the prior year. Deforestation fell 12% in August 2016 to July 2017, the period used to measure annual destruction.

Norway has cut its support for the fund in the past when deforestation spiked. Brazil last month reported a preliminary 13.7% rise in deforestation from August 2017 to July 2018. It was the highest level in a decade, signaling a potential impact on next year's round of international funding.

“These figures will only be verified next year, but the preliminary estimate of increased deforestation gives reasons to concern both in Brazil and in Norway,” the Norwegian statement said.