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An economic analysis of a zero-deforestation policy in the Brazilian Amazon

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  • Silva, Jonathan Gonçalves da
  • Almeida, Roselaine Bonfim de
  • Carvalho, Leandro Vinicios

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate alternatives to conciliate economic growth and the Amazon preservation. For this, we measured the economic costs to preserve the Brazilian Amazon by simulating a zero-deforestation policy. We also evaluate the scenario of deforestation in Brazil in the last decades. We observed a marked growth in deforestation starting in 2014. However, in the last two years, such growth has been even more expressive, which shows the urgency of thinking in multiple ways for the problem of deforestation in the Amazon Biome. Through an economic model for Brazil, we simulated a shock on land use, which shows that there are negative effects on economic dynamism in the Amazon region and that, through a spillover effect, there may be even higher rates of greenhouse gas emissions. This work also shows that the problem of deforestation in the Amazon does not mean only the issue of reducing deforestation rates, but that it must be accompanied by a serious and plural policy aiming to reduce regional inequalities. Finally, a public and private effort is needed so that sustainable practices become more widespread and information about the importance of maintaining the forest standing and conserving the biome can be disseminated.

Suggested Citation

  • Silva, Jonathan Gonçalves da & Almeida, Roselaine Bonfim de & Carvalho, Leandro Vinicios, 2023. "An economic analysis of a zero-deforestation policy in the Brazilian Amazon," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:203:y:2023:i:c:s0921800922002749
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107613
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    2. Adriane Terezinha Schneider & Rosangela Rodrigues Dias & Mariany Costa Deprá & Darissa Alves Dutra & Richard Luan Silva Machado & Cristiano Ragagnin de Menezes & Leila Queiroz Zepka & Eduardo Jacob-Lo, 2024. "The Intersectionality Between Amazon and Commodities Production: A Close Look at Sustainability," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Diego Hernandez Guzman & Seweryn Zielinski & Adriana Hernandez Guzman & Beliña Annery Herrera Tapias & Omar Ramírez & Celene B. Milanés, 2025. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock-Driven Deforestation in the Amazon: A Bibliometric Analysis 2004–2024," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-29, August.

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