Environment Forum
Global environmental challenges
Brazil’s Minc gains clout at home before Copenhagen
After a series of setbacks since he took office in May 2008, Brazil’s Environment Minister Carlos Minc has scored several political victories in recent weeks that give his portfolio some clout for the first time in Latin America’s largest country.
Only a few months ago Minc looked like he would follow the path of his predecessor, internationally-renowned Amazon defender Marina Silva, who stepped down in May 2008 citing opposition to her environmental policies.
He had complained to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about a plot from the country’s powerful farm lobby and colleagues in the cabinet to undermine his green agenda.
“We were losing 3-0 and now we’re nearly tied,” one of Minc’s aides said.
