Brazil Allows Petrobras Oil Drilling Near Amazon Ahead of COP30 Amid Environmental Concerns

Brazil has recently granted an environmental license to Petrobras, the state-run oil giant, allowing exploratory drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River, specifically in the Foz do Amazonas area. This move, announced just weeks before the UN COP30 climate summit in Belém, has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups who warn it undermines the global effort to reduce fossil fuel dependency and protect the Amazon's biodiversity. The Brazilian government and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira defend the decision as a strategic step toward strengthening Brazil's energy sovereignty and economic development, highlighting the potential for significant oil reserves and job creation, while assuring adherence to environmental safety measures. Critics argue that the drilling contradicts Brazil's climate leadership stance and risks severe ecological damage, especially given the Amazon's critical role in global biodiversity and climate regulation. The controversy underscores a broader tension between economic ambitions tied to fossil fuels and urgent climate action goals that COP30 aims to address. Despite the environmental concerns, Petrobras plans to begin drilling imminently, with operations expected to last about five months.