Protected Areas as mitigation tools for climate change in Mato Grosso

Abstract

This research aimed to understand how Protected Areas act for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The state of Mato Grosso, located in the center-west of Brazil, was analyzed as it is a state of large dimensions and with different biomes in its composition. A case study was carried out in order to dimension the importance of PAs in dealing with the sequestration of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), using the state of Mato Grosso. From the literature review, it was identified that the Protected Areas are a mitigating instrument for climate change, since conservation maintains ecosystem services and helps in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide, called carbon sinks. Through a legal analysis, it was found that the environmental policies of Protected Areas do not materially establish climate change as a basis. The data obtained showed that 4.73% of the state area under study fits into this legal instrument. Despite corresponding to a small territorial parcel, the Protected Areas are spread over the three biomes that make up the state, in the search to protect the three different biodiversity. From the analysis of the data, it is concluded that the Protected Areas have a mitigating role for climate change in the state of Mato Grosso, due to Land Use Change, a factor of great incidence in the state. For further research, it is suggested to analyze the relevance of indigenous areas in this same scenario.