Local Communities Combating Deforestation in Brazil

Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to approximately 20% of the planet’s known species and some of its most vital ecosystems. However, Brazil’s native vegetation continues to face significant pressure, particularly from deforestation and land degradation. In response to these challenges, Brazil has developed action plans (PPCDs) to address deforestation across all Brazilian biomes—marking the first time such a comprehensive approach has been undertaken. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are among the key actors in efforts to combat deforestation and conserve biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge and practices have been widely recognized for their crucial role in protecting ecosystems, storing carbon, and fostering sustainable local economies. Strengthening this role requires addressing persistent challenges and gaps, while learning from and scaling up solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and innovative approaches. The Brazilian-German IKI project Networks4conservation (Redes pela Conservação) was developed in this context by a consortium consisting of two deeply rooted Brazilian civil society networks—Rede Cerrado and ASA—alongside UNDP and Caritas Germany, in close alignment with the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. This high-level side event will provide insights into the German-Brazilian cooperation in the context of nature and ecosystem conservation, and explore how innovative finance, socio-biodiversity product chains, and strengthened Indigenous and traditional territories can contribute to curbing deforestation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change, and supporting Brazil’s Deforestation Prevention and Control Plans (PPCDs). At the same time, the event will highlight how these approaches can improve livelihoods, conserve native biomes, and enhance climate resilience.