Sustainable Consumption Governance in the Amazon

Environmental Law Reporter News & Analysis, Forthcoming

San Diego Legal Studies Paper No. 08-065

9 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2008 Last revised: 18 Dec 2013

See all articles by Lesley K. McAllister

Lesley K. McAllister

University of California, Davis - School of Law

Abstract

Tropical deforestation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated to contribute as much as a quarter of global emissions. In the Brazilian Amazon, the two most important drivers of deforestation have become cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, both increasingly export-driven. While this commodity-driven paradigm threatens to accelerate deforestation as producers expand their participation in international markets, it also provides an opportunity for sustainable consumption governance. This article characterizes the problem of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon; describes the sustainable consumption governance regimes that are emerging; and analyzes their likely impact on Amazonian deforestation. It argues that sustainable consumption governance initiatives in the Amazon have the potential to enhance compliance with strict but under-enforced Brazilian forestry laws and reduce deforestation.

Keywords: tropical deforestation, sustainable consumption, Brazilian Amazon, agricultural exports, cattle ranching, soybean production, biofuels, governance, climate change

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

McAllister, Lesley K., Sustainable Consumption Governance in the Amazon. Environmental Law Reporter News & Analysis, Forthcoming, San Diego Legal Studies Paper No. 08-065, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1230446

Lesley K. McAllister (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis - School of Law ( email )

400 Mrak Hall Dr
Davis, CA CA 95616-5201

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