Brazil: a new chapter beckons
As the world tunes into the critical conversation unfolding at COP27 in Egypt, the Climate Crisis Advisory Group (CCAG) is releasing its latest series of accountability reports, looking into the state of the climate crisis in key nations. These include Brazil, China, India, and the U.S.
In its Brazil report, CCAG argues that the country must accelerate its action on climate change – as it looks to a new, optimistic chapter.
Overview
Home to some of the world’s most important, but ever-depleting, carbon sinks, CCAG argues that Brazil must do more to fight climate change now – having lost years of progress under former president Jair Bolsonaro. While Brazil’s energy mix is largely renewable, it is still the fourth highest emitter globally, and in recent years has diluted its climate commitments. This goes against the Paris Agreement principle of not backsliding – posing a huge risk to Brazil and to the wider world. But Brazil also has one of the worst socioeconomic divides in the world, and is under pressure to support its economy with emissions-intensive exports like beef and crude oil.
Clearly, the recent re-election of President Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva (“Lula”) could not have come at a more important time. Lula has promised to stop deforestation and reduce emissions, while tackling poverty and growing the national economy. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to garner support and make good on these promises – but CCAG is hopeful that this marks a new and drastically different chapter for Brazil’s critical fight against climate change.
Key findings
Brazil has the fourth highest CO2 emissions in the world. It contributes around 5% of the world’s total emissions, behind the United States (20%), China (11%) and Russia (7%).
The Climate Change Performance Index places Brazil at 33rd place, out of a total 61 nations. Meanwhile, The Climate Action Tracker gives Brazil a progress rating of “insufficient”.
In 2020, emissions stood at 8.43tCO2eq per capita, an increase from 7.29tCO2eq per capitabetween 2010 and 2018 – the majority of which come from the deforestation of the Amazon biome.
Amazon biome deforestation increased from 754,000 Ha (in 2018) to 1.3 million Ha in 2021 – with an average rate of 183,000 Ha per year.
Brazil is the second largest grain exporter globally, owning a 19% share of the market. It is also the world’s largest exporter of soy, coffee, sugar, beef and chicken. In 2020, agriculture accounted for 46% of Brazil’s primary (AFOLU) emissions.
Renewables have long been a part of Brazil’s energy mix, contributing 85% of all power generation in 2020 (63% of which was from hydropower). This means Brazil is well on track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of ensuring 23% renewables make up its energy mix by 2030.
In spite of its high proportion of renewables in the energy generation mix, oil is still the single biggest source in the total energy supply across Brazil, at 40%.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact:
ccag@firstlightgroup.io
Dani Wiggins: (+44)7760 136108
About CCAG
CCAG is an independent group of experts which reflects a wide range of academic disciplines and indigenous knowledge, comprising 16 experts from 11 nations. It includes leading authorities in climate science, carbon emissions, energy, environment, and natural resources. Some of the members also participate in governmental advisory groups. Its function is complementary, not an alternative, to these other roles. It will look at in-depth policy and financial issues, including ones not currently on governmental agendas. All scientists have agreed to give up their time at no cost.
Virtual monthly meetings are held on the final Thursday of every month at 12:00 GMT and streamed via Youtube and Twitter. To keep up to date with the group, visit ccag.earth or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
Full list of CCAG members:
Sir David King (Chair), Cambridge University – focus on alerting governments and institutions around the world to the dangers of the climate crisis and urgent need for climate repair
Alice Hill, Council on Foreign Relations - expertise in building resilience to catastrophic risks, in particular climate risk
Dr Arunabha Ghosh, The Council on Energy, Environment and Water – expert in public policy and climate change advisor to governments, industry, civil society and international organisations around the world
Professor Dr Johan Rockström, Potsdam University – specialises in environmental science with an emphasis on water resources and global sustainability
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, University of Bath – particular interest in perceptions and behaviours in relation to climate change, energy and transport
Professor Nerilie Abram, Australian National University – research expertise covering climate change impacts, from tropical oceans to Antarctica
Dr Tero Mustonen, Snowchange Cooperative – specialises in Arctic biodiversity and impacts to Indigenous and local communities and nomadic societies of the Arctic
Professor Mark Maslin, University College London – particular expertise in understanding the Anthropocene and how it relates to the major challenges facing humanity in the 21st century
Dr Robert W. Corell, US Global Environment Technology Foundation – particular interest in global and regional climate change and the link between science and public policy
Professor Qi Ye, Hong Kong University Science and Technology and Tsinghua University China – expert on China’s environmental policy with a focus on climate change, environment, energy, natural resources and urbanisation
Dr Klaus Lackner, Arizona State University – research interests include closing the carbon cycle by capturing carbon dioxide from the air, carbon sequestration, carbon foot-printing, innovative energy and energy and environmental policy
Professor Mercedes Bustamante, University of Brasilia – recognised for contributions to the ecological knowledge of threatened tropical ecosystems and their interactions with human-induced changes
Professor Lavanya Rajamani, Oxford University – specialist in the field of international environmental and climate change law
Professor Laura Diaz Anadon, University of Cambridge – expert on energy, climate and innovation policy, the drivers of technological change and policy evaluation
Dr Fatima Denton, United Nations University – particular expertise in natural resource management, especially in regards to Africa
Christophe McGlade, International Energy Agency - energy specialist, particularly in oil and gas analysis