Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the May 2020 letter from UK companies including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Burger King to Brazilian Deputies and Senators expressing concern at the rapid destruction of the Amazon, what representations he has made to his Brazilian counterpart on halting deforestation in that country.

In June, the Foreign Secretary spoke with the Brazilian Foreign Minister about Brazil's climate commitments, including on illegal deforestation. In August, COP26 Conference President Designate, Alok Sharma met key stakeholders in Brazil to reinforce the need for action on deforestation and climate change. At COP26 in November, we plan to agree a game-changing global roadmap of actions, reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable development to put the world on a path to truly sustainable supply chains. As COP26 approaches, we will continue to engage with our Brazilian partners on deforestation and climate change.

We are also working to secure important subnational and private sector commitments. Four Brazilian states have now made formal net-zero pledges, including Pará, which has Brazil's highest deforestation rate. Four other states have applied to join the Race to Zero, and almost 50% of Brazil's economy and half its emissions will be covered by pledges to reach net zero by 2050.