News
21/12/2009
President Lula: Brazil had prominent position at COP15
The broadcast ‘Breakfast with the President’ (Café com o Presidente), aired on radio this Monday (21 Dec), looked into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15), held last week in Copenhagen (Demark). During the conversation, President Lula said that the feeling left from the meeting was “a feeling that leaders from the whole world will have to take this issue as a priority so … 
19/12/2009
Even without consensus, UN ‘takes note’ of Copenhagen Accord
The 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference closed officially this Saturday, 19 December. The main outcome of the Conference was the ‘Copenhagen Accord’, drafted by a limited group of countries on Friday night and formally accepted by the UN.
Without unanimous approval, the accord will have an annex with the list of countries against it. The initiative of ‘taking note’ was t …
18/12/2009
Climate Agreement will not happen with understatements and wrangling
“The world will not come to an agreement on climate with understatements and wrangling, without a strong commitment on CO2 emissions reduction targets and the assurance that poor countries will have their rights of development guaranteed”, underlined President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the final plenary session of the 15th UN Climate Conference (COP15), held this Friday, 18th Decembe …
18/12/2009
Transcript of President Lula's address in Copenhagen
COP15 Joint High-Level Segment of COP/CMP National Statements
Official Translation:
Address of
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Friday, December 17, 2009
Copenhagen
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary General, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of State, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of Government, …
18/12/2009
Video: Tackling deforestation in Brazil
Combating deforestation in the Amazon is Brazil’s biggest contribution to tackling climate change. The protection of the forest will account for more than half of the country’s voluntary goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in between 36.1 and 38.9 percent by 2020, announced last November. According to the first National Inventory of Greenhouse Gases, up to 75 percent of Brazil’s emi …
17/12/2009
Interview: Jacques Marcovitch, professor from the School of Economics, Management and Accountancy from the University of SP
Jacques Marcovitch is a Professor from the School of Economics, Management and Accountancy from the University of São Paulo (FEA/USP), Researcher since 2002 of the implementation policies of the Climate Convention, with emphasis on the strategies that aim the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. He is also the general coordinator of the study Economics of Clime.
< …
17/12/2009
Publication gathers government actions against deforestation
The policy of control and prevention of deforestation in the Amazon, led by the federal government since 2004, is the main theme of a publication that the Ministry of the Environment presents at COP-15.
The publication details the successful efforts undertaken by the Brazilian government to address the causes of deforestation in the region, which enabled the country to achieve the lowest …
17/12/2009
Recovery of pastures could contribute with 12% of Brazil’s voluntary targets
The Brazilian Agricultural Research Enterprise (Embrapa) counts on the technique of recovery of pastures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country.A recently published study points out that the recovery of these areas and the integration of crops with livestock are two available technologies that contribute to solve the problem of emissions reduction and, together, they could represent …
17/12/2009
Head Minister Dilma Rousseff says rich countries want to equal emerging nations at Climate Conference
Copenhagen (Denmark) – The head of the Brazilian delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, the Minister of the Civil Household, Dilma Rousseff, said today (16 Dec) that rich countries want to establish virtually equal contribution shares to both rich and developing countries in the composition of the fund against global warming.
The Minister said …
16/12/2009
Op-Ed: Time for 'Housecleaning' in Copenhagen
Just over two months ago in Copenhagen, I enjoyed one of the happiest days of my life when the International Olympic Committee chose Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. I am now returning to the Danish capital for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). The IOC event was the highpoint of Brazil's successful bid. For the international community, it is the COP15 th …
16/12/2009
Brazilian Press Conference, Dec 15th
Check it out the press conference of Brazilian delegation held on December, 15th.
16/12/2009
Video: press conference of Brazilian delegation, Dec 15th
Check it out the press conference of Brazilian delegation held on December, 15th.
16/12/2009
Interview: Carlos Nobre , researcher at the National Institute for Space Research
COP 15: World leaders must take into account the scientific evidence
Carlos Nobre is a researcher at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and, as part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was a recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize for the contribution of the Panel to the climate science.In this interview, Nobre talks about the Brazilian experience …
15/12/2009
Brazil is at the top of a ranking of countries that are most active against climate change
Brazil is at the top of a ranking of countries that are most active against climate change. It is the first time in which an emerging country figures as the first one in the list, which was published last Monday (14 Dec) by the NGO Germanwatch and the Climate Action Network (CAN).
The fifth Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) assessed ongoing measures in 57 countries and compared them with …
15/12/2009
With new investments in sight, Brazil boosts wind power generation
Brazil took an important step towards the expansion of its clean energy mix when it held its first wind-only power auction this Monday, December 14th. Over 1805 MW were contracted, at an average selling price of US$ 84.88/ MWh. The auction will allow the building of 71 wind power plants located in five states of the Northeastern and Southern regions of the country. In the 20 year period in whic …
15/12/2009
Interview: Marina Grossi - director of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Development (CBEDS)
Companies are main agents for investment in innovation
The director of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Development (CBEDS), Marina Grossi, explains how the Brazilian industry intends to contribute and benefit from the transition to a Green Economy
Is the Brazilian private sector already seeing the advantageous scenario for the pursuit < …
14/12/2009
Brazilian initiative for sustainable soybean production is presented at COP15
This Tuesday, 15 Dec, at 9:30 a.m., a side event will be held to discuss the contribution of the soy moratorium for deforestation reduction in Brazil. The event is promoted by the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove). The panel will show how partnerships between civil society and government can make feasible the sustainable production of soybean.
The commitment agree …
14/12/2009
Side event - Brazil: for a Sustainable Economy
Invitation: The head of the Brazilian delegation, Minister Dilma Rousseff, Minister Chief of the Presidential Staff Office, will host a side event today – Monday, 14Dec09 at 7PM – and you are invited to join.
Brazil: For a Sustainable Economy
Developing our country, preserving life, guaranteeing the futures
Topics will include:
- Brazil’s carbon emission …
14/12/2009
Interview: Mauro Pires, Director of the Ministry of Environment’s Deforestation Combat Department
Program to combat deforestation reaches historical results
The Director of the Ministry of Environment’s Deforestation Combat Department, Mauro Pires, shows how the Brazilian government has achieved historic reductions in deforestation in the Amazon and has 25 million hectares of federal protected areas, equivalent to the total area of the United Kingdom
11/12/2009
Interview: Suzana Kahn, The Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Quality at the Ministry of the Environment
The debate does not end in Denmark
The Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Quality at the Ministry of the Environment, Suzana Kahn, talks about her expectations in relation to Copenhagen negotiations. Kahn, who is also a scientist of the transport area and a 2007 Nobel prize winner with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, highlights actions foreseen by the …
11/12/2009
Upon being interviewed, the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs said it is necessary to demand commitment from rich countries
While commenting the negotiations of the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15), the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Celso Amorim (photo), said yesterday (10 Dec) that rich countries are trying to ride on the back of the proposal presented by the United States of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 17% by 2020.
'The position of Brazil has motivated other countries t …
11/12/2009
Flying Rivers Project is presented at COP 15
This Friday, 11 December, another remarkable side event will be held at the Climate Conference. The Flying Rivers Project will be presented by its coordinator, Gérard Moss, at 11 a.m., in the Brazilian Delegation Pavilion, Hall C7, Bella Center.
The objective of the project is to try to understand the functioning of meteorological processes in Brazil, by following wind flow paths on a smal …
11/12/2009
New climate change measurement agreement signed Brazilian space institute and FAO partner to monitor GHGs
Recognizing the importance of monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in climate change mitigation, FAO and Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) signed an agreement, on Dec 10th, to work together in the field of emissions measuring and reporting.
The agreement, signed by FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf and INPE head, Gilberto Câmara, lays the groundwork for a major pus …
10/12/2009
Brazilian beef production chain joins responsible certification program
The Brazilian Government has found a new ally in the fight against deforestation in the Amazon. It is the Program for Certification of Responsible Beef Production Chain, an initiative from the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras).
With this program, the association aims to promote environmental, economical and social sustainability in the companies of this sector, as well as to provi …
10/12/2009
Brazil’s Climate Fund will use resources from oil exploration to fight climate change
The new fund will have up to US$ 570 million per year to finance emissions reduction projects.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned this Wednesday, in Brasília, the creation of the National Climate Change Fund, which will use resources from oil activity profits to finance mitigation and adaptation projects in the country.
The Fund has an estimated budget …
10/12/2009
Interview: Tasso Azevedo, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Environment
Brazil has a winning model for combating deforestation
Tasso Azevedo, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Former General Director of the Brazilian Forestry Service, says that Brazil has the necessary technology and governance to enable REDD projects in the country to succeed
On what basis the actions for REDD are being discussed in the scope< …
09/12/2009
Program will integrate actions against CO2 emissions from forest fires
Another initiative from the Brazilian Government with the objective of reducing CO2 emissions in the country has just been launched. The Ministry of the Environment has announced this Tuesday, 8 Dec, the launch of the National Program for the Reduction and Substitution of Fire in Forest and Rural Areas (Pronafogo), which will integrate a number of other governmental actions to fight forest fire …
09/12/2009
Brazilian Development Bank approves the first five projects within the scope of the Amazon Fund
Copenhagen - The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved the first five projects that are set to receive funding from the Amazon Fund, Brazilian government officials announced today during the United Nations Climate Conference, in Copenhagen. In total, US$ 40.2 million will be disbursed to prevent and combat deforestation, collect environmental and land data on rural properties, and res …
09/12/2009
Amazon Fund project
» Forest Allowance Program (Programa Bolsa Floresta)
The BNDES approved R$ 19.2 million for the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation to expand the Forest Allowance Program, which was created in 2008. The Program is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation, besides promoting improvements in the standard of living of the population that lives in the forest. …
09/12/2009
Head of U.S. Environmental Agency considers Brazil a strategic partner for biofuels
Copenhagen - The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, assured that the United States are interested in a strategic partnership with Brazil in this area, during an event promoted by Brazilian Government last Tuesday, 08/12, to discuss the contribution of biofuels the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions . “Brazil and United States can work together for the devel …
09/12/2009
Brazilian researches are one of the high spots of COP15
Brazil has a great potential of becoming a world leader in tropical agriculture and is therefore investing increasingly more in scientific researches. In the context of climate change, there is a great effort from different areas to assess impacts and evaluate adaptation strategies for this sector.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP15, which is being held in Copenhagen u …
08/12/2009
Amazon Fund is theme of panel discussion in Copenhagen
For the Brazilian climate agenda, protecting the forests of the Amazon is a priority action. Therefore, on the path of the contribution to the global strategy of tackling climate change effects, Brazil has been striving in different fronts to reduce deforestation in the region.
One of the most important initiatives is the Amazon Fund, theme of a presentation by Brazil’s National Ban …
08/12/2009
Side event: Bright Green Cities Connections
This Wednesday, 9 Dec, at 11 a.m., the Euro-Brazilian Sustainable Development Council will hold the panel ‘Bright Green Cities Connections’, within the side program of COP15.
The project ‘Bright Green Cities Connections’ brings together cities, companies and universities, orchestrating actions and activities aimed at securing funds and gathering solutions for a clean developme …
08/12/2009
Rich countries should cooperate with projects of Brazil, said Secretary-General of COP15
Copenhagen (Denmark) – The Secretary-General of the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15), Yvo de Boer, said today (8 Dec) that projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, financed with public funds from rich countries, should also be considered for major developing countries like Brazil, China and India.
“The money should be directed to projects in all poo …
08/12/2009
Check out more information about Brazilian side events at COP15
Brazilian government agencies, private sector organizations and civil society institutions will host a series of events throughout the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) at the Espaço Brasil room (Hall C7, Bella Center), including debates and presentations on renewable energy, the Amazon Fund, food security and climate change.
See below the updated list of events:
…
07/12/2009
COP15 starts. Brazilian delegation brings 600 people to Copenhagen
The Brazilian government has come to Copenhagen with a delegation of over 600 people, including representatives of federal, state and municipal governments, parliamentarians, as well as members of the private sector and civil society. The Brazilian delegation will be coordinated by the Chief of Staff to the Brazilian Presidency, minister Dilma Rousseff, accompanied by others ministers of Stat …
04/12/2009
Brazil promotes side event on biofuels in Copenhagen
Bioenergy and climate change are the themes of a side event promoted by the Brazilian Government during the COP 15
The panel “The contribution of biofuels to climate change mitigation” will be held on December 8, 1pm, in the Victor Borg room at the Bella Center, in Copenhagen.
The goal is to clarify issues related to bioenergy as a low carbon energy source. Experts and scientist dedica …
04/12/2009
Amazon Fund approves its first three projects on the eve of COP-15
The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) announced on Thursday (December 3), in Belém (PA), the approval of the first three projects which will receive resources from the institution.
One of the projects, called "Green Cities", is a proposal coordinated by the NGO Imazon, in association with other NGOs, which will receive R$ 12 million to be invested in various municipalities of Pará.
…
04/12/2009
Brazil has already 18 REDD projects
Brazil goes to COP 15 showing its potential for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD).
Data recently released by the Brazilian Forestry Service shows that the country has already 18 projects in different stages of development in five states, comprising an area of 46 millions hectares. Most of the projects focus on avoided deforestation reduction (61%), follow …
04/12/2009
Green steel for the Brazilian steel industry
Considered as an environmental villain, the steel industry may become an ally of the Federal Government in the challenge to reduce Brazil’s emission of greenhouse gases. The proposal presented by the Ministry of Environment aims to produce the “green steel”, which uses charcoal from afforested areas, instead of coal, to produce the pig iron (steel with impurity). As a result of the Brazi …
04/12/2009
Brazilian Government stimulates the purchase of ethanol cars
Bonus to who contributes with the environment and opts for cars moved by ethanol. The Brazilian Government has just announced a measure of tax reduction for the sectors that contribute to the environmental preservation in line with the proposal to reduce CO2 emission, which Brazil will take to Copenhagen.
Part of the Industrialized Products Tax (IPI) has been reduced for ethanol/flex fuel …
04/12/2009
Natural Gas should avoid emissions of 1.2 million tons of CO2 per year.
Besides investing in the reduction of the deforestation and in the valorization of the standing forest, in order to bring socioeconomic development to the Amazon, the Brazilian Government invests in natural gas for the generation of electric power.
In this sense, on November 26, a great step was taken with the inauguration of the gas pipeline Coari-Manaus that will supply the Tambaqui Therm …
04/12/2009
Brazil and Sweden widen the exchange of information to stimulate renewable energy
The Governments of Brazil and Sweden are willing to widen up the exchange of information about production and sustainable use of energy from renewable sources, including biomass and other areas of interest related to the theme.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy decided, recently, to continue with a memorandum of understanding signed in 2007. The document envisages the maintenance of the coop …
03/12/2009
Green Arch Programme - Legal Land is part of actions to tackle deforestation and to work towards sustaintable development
Discouragement of deforestation is not enough. There is also a need to give opportunities so that the population living in the forest can also develop. Thinking of this, the Federal Government started to execute the Green Arch Programme - Legal Land in 2009.
Present in the 43 municipalities in the Amazon region that are the worst deforesters, within the space of 20 weeks the group effor …
03/12/2009
Record drop in deforestation of the Amazon
During the countdown to the start of the Climate Conference, the Brazilian Government commemorates a historic feat: the rate of deforestation in the Amazon region declined by 45% over the period between August 2008 and July 2009. This is the lowest deforestation rate registered by the National Space Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) since 1988, when the regio …
03/12/2009
Biodiesel: auction ensures a B5 mixture in 2010
Brazil is placing high bets on clean energy, and the expectations with regard to biodiesel - made from oleaginous plants, are very optimistic indeed. This is shown by the significant results of the 16th Biodiesel Auction, held by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel Agency on 17 November, in Rio de Janeiro.
This was the first auction to deal with the mixture known as B5 (5% o …
03/12/2009
Government classifies cars by emissions of pollutants
Apart from the best cost and the client’s preferences of brand and model, the Brazilian consumer may use another criterion when buying a car: levels of emission of polluting gases. Anyone can know just how much CO2 each model of car made in Brazil spews into the atmosphere by accessing the website www.ibama.gov.br.
Interested parties may also have access, on browsing the same site, to …
03/12/2009
Brazil and France join forces for an ambitious climactic agreement
At a meeting held in Paris on 14 November, presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Nicolas Sarkozy reinforced Brazil’s and France’s conviction that climate change now presents itself as one of the most urgent challenges that the world now faces, strengthening the need for a global response based on the principles of justice and equity, in a way compatible with sustainable economic growth …
03/12/2009
More funds for wind energy in the Brazilian Northeast
At the end of November, the National Development Bank announced funding of R$ 258.5 million for the construction of four wind farms for generation of wind energy, in the Brazilian Northeast. These projects, situated in the state of Ceará, shall have a combined installed capacity of 155 Megawatts, which is enough to supply a city with 450 thousand people. The beneficiary company, Bons Ventos En …
