Brasília – The Minister of the Environment of Brazil, Joaquim Leite (pictured above), announced this Monday (1) a new target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the country. The information was announced at the opening of the Brazilian participation in the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.
“Today, we present a new, more ambitious climate target, going from 43% to 50% by 2030; and carbon neutrality until 2050, which will be formalized during COP26,” he stated. Leite participated in the summit opening over an online transmission at an event held in Brasília at the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) headquarters.
According to the minister, the conference marks “a transition from the debate on climate promises to creating green jobs.” Leite also argued Brazil has acted as an articulator of the debate. “We held previous bilateral meetings with over 60 countries, acting as articulators, seeking dialogue and points of convergence,” he said.
Bolsonaro
In a recorded speech for the conference, President Jair Bolsonaro stated, “Brazil is a green power” and a solution to current problems. “Brazil is a green power. We have the greatest biodiversity on the planet, the largest and richest forest covering, and one of the largest ocean areas. In the fight against climate change, we have always been part of the solution, not the problem,” he said.
Bolsonaro also stressed the National Green Growth Program, launched last week, “brings environmental concerns to the center of the economic agenda.” The initiative aims to combine the reduction of carbon emissions, the conservation of forests, and the rational use of natural resources with the generation of green jobs and economic growth.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
