Marina Awaits Key Technical Decision on the Equatorial Margin: What It Means for the Future

Brazil’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva recently stated that the environmental licensing for an oil exploration project in the Amazon River’s estuary will be determined by a thorough technical review from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, known as Ibama.

On February 25, Silva made it clear that the decision will not be influenced by political pressures. “If the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ it will be based on technical merit,” she explained during an event focused on climate adaptation ahead of COP30. Silva mentioned that the technicians at Ibama will be the ones making the final call.

This announcement comes after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly expressed his frustration with Ibama’s slow pace in assessing Petrobras’s request for exploratory drilling. He suggested that the agency seemed to be acting against the government’s interests.

When questioned about the review process, Silva clarified that ensuring a smooth operation isn’t her responsibility but lies with President Lula, who is committed to maintaining respect for public institutions like Ibama and ICMBio, the institute responsible for managing Brazil’s national parks and conservation efforts.

Throughout her term, Silva has worked to protect Ibama from pressures coming from other government sectors, including the Ministry of Mines and Energy, as well as from industry interests within North states.

As Brazil prepares to host the COP30, there are increased demands for the government to take a clear stance on climate issues, especially regarding the reduction of oil consumption. Silva affirmed that bringing COP to Brazil demonstrates a commitment to addressing climate change. She echoed President Lula’s call for the world to move away from dependence on fossil fuels.

During the event, she stressed the need to transition to renewable energy significantly, aiming to triple its supply and double energy efficiency. She also highlighted Brazil’s commitment under the “Mission 1.5” initiative, which aims to prevent global temperatures from exceeding 1.5°C, as agreed in the Paris Agreement.

Silva pointed out that Brazil has a relatively clean energy mix, providing it with unique advantages in the global race against climate change. Her remarks came after COP30 CEO Ana Toni addressed the importance of an adaptation agenda, acknowledging the challenges that the current international political landscape poses for collaborative efforts to combat climate change. “The situation is tough globally, especially with the U.S. elections and the complexities of multilateralism,” she stated.

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