Peruvian Environment Minister Fabiola Muñoz on Friday affirmed the Government has put the
Amazon on the national agenda, adding that protection and sustainable use of the largest tropical forest in the world should be given a place on the global stage.
The official explained there is no need to give up sovereignty over the Amazon area to coordinate
efforts to protect it.
In this sense, the Ministry of Environment (Minam) seeks ways to promote carbon offsets.
There are interesting international law experiences —as the one implemented in Colombia— in which private companies offset their carbon emissions through green bonds that are used to plant fields, as well as recover degraded areas.
Green bonds
"During my previous term at the Ministry of Environment, we started to boost —along with the Economy-Finance Ministry and the Inter-American Development Bank— the issuance of green sovereign bonds in Peru. My predecessor Lucia Ruiz continued with said idea and now I will resume it," Muñoz expressed.
Mercury Operation
On the other hand, the official highlighted the Government's commitment to protecting the Amazon and fighting its threats, such as illegal mining and related crimes, through solid and decisive actions like Mercury Operation in Madre de Dios region.
Furthermore, she said, efforts have been undertaken to prevent and confront wildfires that destroy forests and their rich biodiversity.
"We cannot continue deforesting the Amazon, this is a key issue," the official added.
(END) LZD/MAO/DTK/RMB
Published: 10/4/2019