Řešení hlavních ekonomických příčin deforestace: Případová studie brazilské Amazonie

Forests are an indispensable part of our planet. Unfortunately, recently they have got into serious trouble. The Brazilian Amazon rainforest is the most extensive tropical rainforest in the world. This bachelor thesis aims to identify the most important direct economic drivers of deforestation of primary forests with a focus on the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and proposes possible solutions which would slow down the deforestation. In particular, the analytical-synthetic method is used for this purpose. The bachelor thesis is divided into two parts. Theoretical findings of the first chapter are then applied to a specific case of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest in a form of a case study. The Brazilian Amazon rainforest has lost a forest area as large as Spain in the last 30 years. The annual primary forest loss reached over 1,3 million hectares in 2021 – the most since 2009. At fault is also the Brazilian government led by the president Jair Bolsonaro. The most important direct economic driver of the deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest is cattle ranching with a 74% share of deforestation, reaching up to 80% according to other studies. Agriculture alone is responsible for 98% of the deforestation. Finally, solutions to reduce the contribution of cattle ranching to deforestation are introduced. Firstly, solutions within supply chains such as innovative agroecology methods, zero-deforestation agreements, sustainable forest management certifications or limited beef consumption. Secondly, economic and financial solutions in form of concessional credit lines, environmental lending criteria, guarantees, subsidies or tax incentives – all of these motivate sustainable management. Thirdly, legal solutions such as national environmental legislation, clear and secured land tenure and establishment of protected areas.