Brazilian Federal Government Cuts Disaster Budget Amid Climate Crisis

After a year marked by a climate tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, record-breaking wildfires in the Pantanal, and historic drought in the Amazon, the federal government has decided to reduce the budget for managing and mitigating environmental disasters. The funds set aside for the risk and disaster management program in 2025 total R$1.7 billion ($246 million), down from R$1.9 billion in 2024. This reduction comes in the same year Brazil will host the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference COP30, scheduled for November in Belem. The government chose to cut R$200 million ($33 million) from this critical area. In response to inquiries, the ministries involved stated their commitment to climate action. Data obtained by and compiled by the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies (Inesc) highlight a scenario of financial constraints, corroborated by Congress. Parliamentary amendments directed at climate disasters dropped from R$69.9 million in the previous year to just R$39.1 million.