Rio De Janeiro: Brazil unveiled its updated climate change pledge on Friday, setting a target to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. This announcement will be presented during the United Nations climate summit, COP29, which is set to take place in Azerbaijan. According to a government statement, the new pledge underscores Brazil’s commitment to addressing climate change.
Significance of the Pledge
As Latin America’s largest country and one of the world’s major carbon dioxide emitters, Brazil plays a pivotal role in global efforts to combat climate change. The United Nations has repeatedly emphasized that nations must enhance their climate pledges if the world is to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C (2.7°F), thereby avoiding catastrophic climate impacts. The U.N. has called for updated pledges by February 2025.
Emissions Reduction Targets
Brazil’s new climate target aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. This is a significant increase from the country’s previous goal of a 53% reduction by 2030, reflecting a more ambitious approach to curbing emissions.
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Official Statement
“This commitment will allow Brazil to move towards climate neutrality by 2050, the long-term objective of the climate commitment,” said the government in the statement.
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Broader Implications
While Brazil’s government insists the new target aligns with the global 1.5°C objective, some environmental groups are questioning the sufficiency of the pledge. The Climate Observatory, a Brazilian lobby group, argues that the target does not go far enough to meet the global climate goals. However, a full evaluation of Brazil’s commitment will only be possible once the formal documentation, known as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is released.
