The expansion of urban tree planting, the tightening of environmental compensation rules and the reinforcement of reforestation actions were at the center of the meeting held this Wednesday (27) between Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere, representatives of environmental movements, community leaders and parliamentarians linked to the movement for a Greener Rio.
At the end of the meeting, the mayor made seven commitments considered priorities by the participants. Those present at the meeting included state deputy Carlos Minc and city councilwoman Tatiana Roque, both from the PSB party, leaders of the Federation of Residents' Associations of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (FAM-Rio), representatives of residents' associations, environmental movements, actress and ecologist Alexia Dechamps, and musician Léo Jaime.
More trees and environmental compensation
Among the main commitments made by the city government is the change in environmental compensation rules. Currently, half of the resources are allocated to tree planting and the other half to environmental services. With the new guideline discussed at the meeting, all compensation will be applied to tree planting.
Another point agreed upon stipulates that half of the trees used as environmental compensation must be planted in the same neighborhood where the vegetation was removed.
The city government also pledged to use larger saplings, at least one meter tall, to accelerate tree growth and increase the chances of survival for the planted species.
Stricter rules
During the meeting, the group also discussed measures to strengthen environmental oversight and expand urban reforestation in different areas of the city. Among the commitments announced is a ban on issuing new licenses to those responsible who have outstanding issues related to environmental compensation.
Another point agreed upon was the increase in reforestation efforts, with expanded funding and larger teams involved in planting activities. The city government also committed to increasing municipal treasury resources allocated to tree planting, prioritizing less wooded neighborhoods, especially in the North Zone.
Plan for less wooded areas
The discussions were based on the 13 points of the letter from the "For a Greener Rio" movement, an initiative that brings together environmental organizations, parliamentarians, and residents' associations from Rio and Niterói in defense of policies aimed at combating urban heat islands and preserving the environment.
Another commitment made during the meeting involves adopting stricter rules for calculating environmental compensation, expanding the requirements currently applied by the city government.
According to the participants, specific demands presented by residents' associations will be discussed in future meetings with the municipal government. A new meeting between representatives of the movement and the city hall has already been scheduled for June.
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