Brazil
In Brazil, CPI has a partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) via the Brazil Policy Center, led by Juliano J. Assunção, professor in the Department of Economics at PUC-Rio. CPI’s work in Brazil combines rigorous economic, institutional and legal analysis to identify areas for improving public policies and provides concrete recommendations on how to reconcile economic development with environmental conservation. CPI supports public policies in Brazil through rigorous analysis and evidence-based research, strategic partnerships with members of the government and civil society through a constructive approach, and direct collaboration with policymakers.
CPI has a long history with regards to conservation policy and land use, having conducted significant research and evaluation of policies related to deforestation and land conservation in the Amazon, becoming an academic reference in the field. CPI combines its institutional knowledge and conservation policy lens with rigorous economic and legal analysis.
Featured work
Publication
The Impacts of Rural Credit on Agricultural Outcomes and Land Use: An Analysis by Credit Lines, Producer Types and Credit Uses
In this work, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-RIO) provides a detailed impact analysis of the Brazilian Rural Credit policy on agricultural production, land use and deforestation.
Publication
Os Impactos Ambientais da Ferrogrão: Uma Avaliação Ex-ante dos Riscos de Desmatamento
Análise dos pesquisadores do CPI/PUC-Rio mostra que a construção da Ferrogrão incentivará agricultores e pecuaristas localizados no estado do Mato Grosso a ampliarem a produção, aumentando a demanda por terras. Caso nenhuma medida de mitigação seja implementada, isso pode induzir o desmatamento de cerca 2.043 quilômetros quadrados de vegetação nativa em quase quarenta municípios desse estado.
Publication
Mapping the Effect of Deforestation on Rainfall: a Case Study from the State of Mato Grosso
In this insight, CPI/PUC-Rio shows that Amazon deforestation affects rainfall in the state of Mato Grosso – one of the most important agricultural hubs in the world, home to more than three million people, and 8 hydroelectric power plants.
Partners
Latest work
Publication
Public Policies for the Protection of the Amazon Forest: What Works and How to Improve
This report consolidates the main findings of the academic literature that rigorously evaluates policies aimed at combating deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, it draws on empirical evidence to propose ways of strengthening Brazil’s policy agenda for protecting the Amazon Forest whilst promoting the region’s sustainable development. The report thereby aims to contribute to the design and implementation of an effective policy framework for Amazon conservation.
Publication
The Economics of Cattle Ranching in the Amazon: Land Grabbing or Pushing the Agricultural Frontier?
In this report, researchers from CPI/PUC-Rio dig deeper into the link between cattle ranching and deforestation in the Amazon to investigate the economic dynamics behind it.
Publication
Amazônia Sustainable Supply Chains Mechanism
The Amazonia Sustainable Supply Chains Mechanism leverages off-take agreements for forest-compatible products to provide upfront finance, technical assistance, and structural community resources that catalyze the bioeconomy and keeps forests standing.
Publication
Guarantee Fund for Biogas
The Guarantee Fund for Biogas (GFB) is the first environmental-oriented guarantee fund in Brazil. By providing short-term collateral for biogas project loans, it unlocks public and private finance as a promising renewable energy source in the country.
Data Visualization
Analysis and Mapping of Infrastructure Projects in the State of Pará: EF-170 Ferrogrão, BR-155/158, BR-163/230/MT/PA, and BR-230
Para apresentar os principais projetos de infraestrutura terrestre federal no estado do Pará, o CPI/PUC-Rio focou (i) na análise do ciclo de vida dos projetos, bem como nos estudos socioambientais, identificando eventuais pontos que podem ser fortalecidos, e (ii) no potencial de desmatamento que cada projeto apresenta.
Publication
Governance, Area of Influence, and Environmental Risks of Transport Infrastructure Investments: Case Studies in the State of Pará
This study compiles a detailed overview of the four key federal infrastructure projects – either planned or being upgraded – in the state of Pará: Ferrogrão and BR-155/158, not yet started, and BR-163/230/MT/PA and BR-230, which are currently in the process of improvement.
Publication
The New Legal Framework for Railroad Authorizations Requires Adjustments to Strengthen the Socio-environmental, Governance, and Transparency Aspects of Projects: an Assessment of MP no. 1,065/2021 and PL no. 261/2018
In this Technical Note, CPI/PUC-Rio researchers draw off previous work and outline how the legal framework for railroad authorizations suffers from similar problems.
Publication
7 Peculiarities of Rural Credit in the Cerrado: Private Resources Attracted to Finance Large Producers Contrast with Scarcity of Credit for Family Farming
This work seeks to provide a deeper understanding of rural financing in the Brazilian biomes and aims to help improve the credit policy and adapt this instrument to the specific challenges and context of the Cerrado.
