Editorial: The legal protection of the Amazon rainforest

Abstract

This Special Issue aims to critically evaluate the current legal and institutional frameworks for environmental protection in the Amazon, against the backdrop of increasing deforestation rates, forest fires, and unfavourable political contexts in some of the Amazon countries. In this vein, the contributions to this Special Issue discuss legal pathways that may contribute to the protection of the Amazon. These include (national, regional and international) laws and policies; domestic and international litigation; and market-based mechanisms and private sector initiatives aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation. The Special Issue also highlights the challenges related to regional cooperation and forest governance more broadly.