São Paulo – Brazilian private sector representatives are meeting this Tuesday (16) and Wednesday (17) in the capital city of São Paulo to discuss the low-carbon economy and prepare for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP27), to take place in November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The debates are occurring at the event “Industry Strategy for a Low Carbon Economy,” held by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and its partners.
At the seminar’s opening, the tone of the speeches was the leading role Brazil could play in this new scenario of transition to a more sustainable economy and creating a carbon credits market. The Egyptian ambassador to Brazil, Wael Aboulmagd, participated in the event over the internet from Cairo and spoke about expectations for the climate event the Arab country will host.
At COP27, countries will discuss the implementation of measures to meet the goal of neutralizing carbon emissions by 2050, among other climate-related targets. “The world is looking for nearby, friendly countries with green energy, and that country is Brazil,” said the Brazilian minister of the Environment, Joaquim Leite, at the meeting’s opening. The minister said the new upcoming economy has to be a profitable climate solution for entrepreneurs, people, and nature.
He told the measures already adopted in Brazil in favor of the transition, including incentives for producing biomethane and biogas and the decree that established the regulated carbon market in the country. Leite said the carbon market could bring extraordinary revenues for green projects in the country. Specialists believe Brazil has the potential to be a significant exporter of carbon credits due to its possibility of generating clean energy, among other features.
Leite spoke about the Brazilian participation in COP27 in a booth with the CNI, the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). He claims this will be the COP of sustainable industry and renewable energy and said Brazil could offer security in clean energy for the world, especially Europe.
CNI president Robson Andrade also highlighted Brazil’s role in the climate issue. He stated renewable sources account for 50% of the national electrical power matrix, and Brazil is a pioneer in biofuels. Andrade also highlighted the country’s natural attributes and environmental legislation. “With these characteristics, we have the conditions to attract climate finance resources that could be important to consolidate our path towards a green economy,” he said.
The president of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), Carlos Melles, spoke on the opportunity to be in a new economic cycle, which interests the world’s seven billion inhabitants. He called the carbon market the new accounting in which Brazil could have a substantial stock. “Our bank is sizeable, and they will have to come and get the carbon credits here in Brazil.”
Federal deputy Carla Zambelli (PL – São Paulo) also spoke at the opening of the seminar about the work for the creation of a registration and regulation system for the carbon market. The European Union’s ambassador to Brazil, Ignacio Ybáñez, also spoke at the opening and said the UNFCCC COP27 and CBD COP15 (United Nations Biodiversity Conference, to take place in Canada) would be crucial opportunities for the global community to gather and take concrete measures to contain climate change.
Egypt
The Egyptian ambassador spoke at the event as a special representative of COP27. He said it was time to focus on implementing the Paris Agreement and following up on the commitments made in Glasgow. Aboulmagd said, despite recent efforts, progress still needs to be made to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The diplomat recalled the current global challenges, such as the issues caused by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine; still, he said they could not justify a retreat from the commitments made. “We must realize that time is of the essence,” said the ambassador.
The ambassador told the participants of the São Paulo event that in addition to the summit of heads of state, there would be an action plan as part of COP27. There will be 11 days of discussions on different themes in which Brazilian and global private companies can participate together with other sectors. Other initiatives and programs will also be carried out as part of the conference.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
