Brazil must cut deforestation 15-20% a year to eliminate it by 2030, says vice-president

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a deforested plot of the Amazon near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil, September 17, 2019. Picture taken September 17, 2019. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil Vice-President Hamilton Mourao said on Friday that the country needs to cut deforestation by 15% to 20% every year in order to eliminate it by 2030, a new goal the far-right administration has unveiled.

Deforestation has surged under President Jair Bolsonaro, who is set to participate in a climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden next week amid pressure to commit to more ambitious deforestation targets.