It's welcome news for Lula, who has promised to achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030 and is seeking to repair his country's environmental reputation. The government, however, has received criticism over its plans to open new oil fields near the mouth of the Amazon River. Dave Benett | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty ImagesThe Amazon is critical in absorbing the planet's carbon dioxide — making it a vital bulwark in the fight against climate change. Txai Surui, an indigenous leader and activist from the Brazilian Amazon, welcomed the trend of falling Amazon deforestation but criticized Lula's administration for its willingness to potentially develop offshore oil. "How are you doing agreements about deforestation and all these things and yet you want to explore [for oil]?"

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Persons: Michael Dantas, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro's, Guajajara, Bolsonaro, Sonia Guajajara, Txai Surui, Dave Benett, Buda Mendes, Rui Costa, Costa, Lula's, Surui, Brazil's, Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Andressa Anholete, Guillermo Lasso, Tipping, Brazil's Guajajara Organizations: Afp, Getty, CNBC, IBAMA, FUNAI, Indigenous Peoples, Petrobras, Reuters, Amazon, Nature Sustainability, U.N Locations: Manaquiri, Amazonas, London, Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, Annabel's, England, Brazil, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Buda, Planalto, Brasilia, Ecuador