As part of a plan aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C mission, Brazil has set an ambitious climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59-67% by 2035, based on 2005 levels. The newly announced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) will be presented by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, signifying Brazil’s elevated commitment to addressing climate change and advancing towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
A Milestone for Climate Leadership
Brazil’s revised NDC highlights a substantial increase in ambition from its previous targets. The target range of 59-67% emission reductions corresponds to an absolute reduction to between 850 million and 1.05 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2035. This commitment represents a significant enhancement from the initial NDC set for 2030, marking a 13-29% increase in Brazil’s climate ambition. Furthermore, this NDC encompasses all sectors of the economy, ensuring a holistic approach to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Strategic Initiatives and Policy Framework
To support the new climate goal for 2035, Brazil is advancing comprehensive plans such as the Climate Plan, the Ecological Transformation Plan, and the Three Powers Pact for Ecological Transformation. These initiatives are designed to promote low-carbon development, enhance climate resilience, and build a sustainable future for Brazil’s society, economy, and ecosystems. The Climate Plan, specifically, will serve as the roadmap for implementing emission reductions and adapting to climate impacts, with sector-specific plans addressing both mitigation and adaptation.
Key economic tools will also play a pivotal role in supporting these climate strategies. These include the Climate Fund, Sustainable Sovereign Bonds, Eco Invest Brazil, and the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy. The Tropical Forests Forever Fund will further contribute to preserving vital ecosystems, particularly the Amazon, a critical carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot.
Tackling Deforestation and Emission Reductions
Addressing deforestation is at the heart of Brazil’s emissions reduction strategy, as land-use changes have historically been one of the country’s primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, recent data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) shows a 30.63% drop in Amazon deforestation between August 2023 and July 2024, marking the largest percentage decrease in 15 years. Similarly, the Cerrado biome, which saw a 25.7% reduction in deforestation in the same period, reached its lowest rate since 2019. These efforts have prevented the emission of approximately 400.8 million tons of CO₂ equivalent, underscoring Brazil’s commitment to combating climate change through forest conservation.
Expanding the Climate Agenda: Multi-Sectoral Approach
In addition to tackling deforestation, Brazil is pursuing several other climate-focused programs. Initiatives such as the ABC+ Plan, the Fuels of Future Plan, the Degraded Pastureland Recovery Program, and the Energy Transition Plan support sustainable agricultural practices, renewable energy adoption, and improved land management. Other measures include Planaveg, which promotes reforestation, and the Productive Forests Program, alongside specific plans for preventing and controlling deforestation across various biomes.
A Path Forward: Resilience and Adaptation
The updated NDC not only commits Brazil to reducing emissions but also emphasizes strengthening resilience to climate impacts. This includes efforts to reduce the nation’s vulnerability to climate risks by developing adaptive capacities across sectors. With a projected implementation through 2035, Brazil recognizes that factors such as economic and geopolitical shifts will influence the path to achieving these goals, and the NDC’s flexible range reflects this uncertainty.
A New Era of Climate Commitment
Brazil’s ambitious climate strategy positions it as a proactive leader in the global fight against climate change. The new NDC, combined with sectoral initiatives, economic instruments, and substantial reductions in deforestation, illustrates Brazil’s commitment to a sustainable future. This trajectory aligns with Brazil’s vision for a resilient, low-carbon economy, contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate impacts and protect critical ecosystems.
Conclusion
As Brazil embarks on this strengthened climate agenda, it sets a precedent for environmental stewardship and sustainable development. By adopting a broad, cross-sectoral approach and employing economic instruments to support ecological goals, Brazil’s strategy reflects a comprehensive commitment to a greener, more resilient future. COP29 will mark a pivotal moment as Brazil presents this NDC to the global stage, reinforcing the nation’s role in addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges.