International conference points the way for a sustainable economy in Amazon based on carbon credits

Mencius Melo – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Issues related to the development of the Amazon, with focus on technology and sustainable economy, was the centre of the debate of the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Finances and Creative Economy of the Amazon, promoted by the Amazonas State Government, through the Amazonian Company of Development and Mobilization of Assets (Cada). In all there were two days of event held at the Palácio Rio Negro Cultural Center, located at 7 September Avenue, with the BNDS, Ambify, CVM, Abcripto and the State Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy (SEC).

During the opening of the conference, the debate on the use of carbon credits intensified. The idea is to create a collection asset targeting foreign resources as a form of payment for the environmental services provided by the Amazon Forest. The debate comes in the wake of the decree signed in November by Governor Wilson Lima establishing the quotas and allocation of carbon credits. Amazonas has more than 809.6 million tons of carbon equivalent (tCO2e) available for sale.

According to Acram Isper Jr., CEO of Each, the Amazon is facing a new economic reality that can be consolidated in partnership with the Industrial Pole of Manaus (PIM). “The sale of carbon credit in our State is a granary that is open and waiting to receive investments from the world so that, in partnership with the Manaus Free Trade Zone model, we can develop a solid economic matrix”, he said.

Moment

For the manager of Cada, the moment is ripe to consolidate the political and economic reading that the Amazon is more important “standing up than lying down”. That is why events like the one taking place at the Palácio Rio Negro Cultural Centre are fundamental. “The idea of this event is to make it clear that it is not necessary to deforest in order to evolve economically and to show Brazil and the world the attractions of the investments that Amazonas has”, highlighted Acram Isper Jr.

Mércia Monteiro, operational director of Cada, celebrated the initiative. “We are talking about the first international conference on sustainable finance in the Amazon. It is an initiative of the State Government that is, for the first time, holding this event in Amazonas. It is something great and extremely relevant for our region and, mainly, for the whole Amazon”, she noted.

Still according to Mércia, all the economic arrangements and projects aimed at the Amazon should have, as a priority, the forest people. “Our region has its main actors and they are the traditional peoples who inhabit our forest. Sustainability cannot exist without them. When we talk about the economy we cannot forget those who really take care of the Amazon. Who really are the guardians of the forest, which is the people of the Amazon itself”, he concluded.