Trending Now - Brazilian Banks to Use Satellite Data for Rural Credit Assessment

WHO:

ABC News - Brazilian banks, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Paulo Camuri (climate and territorial intelligence manager at Imaflora), Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), Brazilian Federation of Banks.

WHAT:

ABC News - Brazilian banks are required to verify satellite deforestation data before approving rural credit.

ABC News - Financial institutions must check if a property is listed in a government registry of areas with potential illegal deforestation after July 31st, 2019.

ABC News - Farmers can challenge a flagged property designation by providing authorization documents, restoration plans, or a technical remote-sensing report.

ABC News - The new rule links access to rural credit with environmental requirements.

WHERE:

ABC News - Brazil.

WHEN:

ABC News - The new rule takes effect on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

ABC News - The resolution was approved in December 2025.

WHY:

ABC News - The new requirements aim to align rural credit with conservation and sustainability policies.

ABC News - Agriculture is the leading driver of deforestation across all of Brazil's biomes, including the Amazon rainforest.

HOW:

ABC News - The database for deforestation is maintained by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and is based on satellite data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

ABC News - The Brazilian Federation of Banks stated that loans can proceed upon proof of compliance by farmers, ensuring socio-environmental compliance and legal certainty.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 15:19 UTC)

Brazil has implemented a new rule requiring banks to verify satellite deforestation data before approving rural credit, which took effect on Wednesday. Financial institutions must check if a property is listed in a government registry of areas with potential illegal deforestation since July 31stst, 2019, and farmers can challenge any flagged designations by providing necessary documentation. This initiative, approved in December 20th25, aims to align rural credit with conservation efforts, as agriculture remains the leading driver of deforestation in Brazil, including the Amazon rainforest.