Brazil Forges Ahead with Amazon Oil Drilling Despite Climate Worries

In the lead-up to Brazil's hosting of the COP30 climate summit in November 2025, the country's state-owned oil company Petrobras has commenced drilling operations in the Amazon region. This decision has raised concerns from environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, who worry that it could undermine Brazil's climate leadership credentials.

The International Energy Agency has been clear that no new oil projects should be approved if the global target of net zero emissions by 2050 is to be achieved. However, Petrobras has stated that the current drilling is solely for the purpose of assessing the economic viability of potential oil and gas reserves in the area, and not for commercial production at this stage.

Brazil's environment minister, Marina Silva, has opposed oil exploration in the Amazon, but President Lula da Silva has expressed support for the move, citing economic reasons. Lula has defended his stance, stating that Brazil is a country with oil resources and that the country is not yet prepared to entirely give up fossil fuels.

The drilling operations are expected to last for five months, and Petrobras has assured that it will demonstrate the robustness of its environmental protection measures during the process. Other international oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, have also acquired exploration rights in the Amazon region and are awaiting the necessary licenses.