About AMAZALERT

AMAZALERT examined how global and regional climate and land-use changes will impact Amazonian forests, agriculture, waters, and people; and how these impacts feed back onto climate. 

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“The AMAZALERT project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 282664, and was co-funded by many national agencies an institutes.”

Policy Recommendations
 

      1. Continued protection of standing primary forests is essential
        It is important to maintain the buffering capacity of forests against the impact of climate change on regional water cycles, the carbon cycle, and to conserve the many ecosystem services that depend on the integrity of Amazon forests. 

      2. The effectiveness of policies needs to be enhanced in multiple ways
        By improving spatial planning using coherent conservation strategies, formalising land tenure and ensuring effective law enforcement, that overall aims to maximise the ecosystem functions of Amazon forests such as water recycling, carbon storage and as a store of biodiversity. 

      3. Long-term monitoring systems need to be sustained and improved
        Due to the uncertainty of the future trajectory of forest degradation, sustained long-term monitoring of the environmental conditions in, and state of, the forest is of crucial importance to detect the possible onset of its instability in a timely manner. 

      4. The EU should support regional initiatives
        The most effective policy action available to the EU is to support efforts in Amazonia to towards a sustainable future, including actions to reduce deforestation because of their high likelihood of success and good fit within the national context. 

      5. European investments and laws have an impact on Amazonia
        Environmental and social impacts on Amazonia should be considered carefully in European investments and corresponding legal frameworks. 

      6. Certification should be stimulated
        Enhancing demand for products from the region that meet high environmental standards may reduce direct negative impacts and will generate momentum towards an overall increase in environmental standards. 

      7. The EU can play an important role in the international context
        An involvement of the EU in strengthening environmental standards in trade on a global level would enhance the impact of other countries and organisations that have a more important influence on Amazonia. 
          

Read further in the AMAZALERT Final project summary for policy makers