COP26: Brazil announces more ambitious emission cuts and deforestation targets

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “We are presenting a new, more ambitious climate target, increasing from 43% to 50% [greenhouse gas reduction] by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, to be formalized during COP26,” said Environment Minister Joaquim Leite during a presentation in Brasilia broadcast live at the Brazil pavilion in Glasgow.

Gas reductions will be based on 2005 emissions. The neutrality target had been advanced by the government from 2060 to 2050 last April.

The government also announced Monday that it will advance its goal to eliminate illegal deforestation by 2 years, from 2030 to 2028, despite high figures in recent years under the government of President Jair Bolsonaro.

In a pre-recorded video broadcast from the Brazilian pavilion, Bolsonaro stated that “Brazil is part of the solution to overcome this global challenge.” “The results achieved by our country through 2020 show that we can be even more ambitious,” he argued.

Accused of cutting staff and funding to public bodies dedicated to environmental preservation, the Brazilian government has made a number of announcements in recent weeks in an attempt to boost its international image during the summit.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry praised the announced measures. “We welcome Brazil’s new commitments,” he tweeted. “This adds crucial momentum to the global movement to fight the #ClimateCrisis. We look forward to working together!” he wrote.

Last Friday, the South American giant, home to 60% of the Amazon, announced that it will sign the Forest Deal, a key agreement intended to be reached during COP26 on reducing deforestation and land degradation between now and 2030.

According to a report published by NGO Climate Observatory, Brazil’s CO2 emissions increased by 9.5% year-on-year in 2020. The world average dropped by 7% due to the coronavirus pandemic, which forced a reduction in transport and production.

This exception was due to the fact that “the increase in deforestation last year, particularly in the Amazon, placed Brazil at odds with the planet.”

Since Bolsonaro took office in January 2019, the Amazon has lost some 10,000 km² of forest per year (almost the area of Jamaica), compared to approximately 6,500 km² per year in the preceding decade.

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