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COP29: Reflections and strategies for Brazil

COP29 , held in Baku, Azerbaijan, was marked by in-depth discussions on climate finance, carbon markets, and the energy transition. With the largest number of participants since the beginning of climate conferences, the event stood out for its geopolitical relevance, but also faced criticism over the influence of fossil fuel industries. For Brazil, COP29 represented a strategic moment to reinforce its climate leadership, even if the results fell short of expectations.

COP29

The importance of COPs


The Conference of the Parties (COPs) are annual meetings organized by the UN since 1995, aiming to align global efforts to combat climate change. Decisive moments such as COP21 , which resulted in the Paris Agreement, and the current COP29, nicknamed the "COP of Finance," have shaped the paths to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, recent data indicate that a 1.5°C increase may be inevitable, requiring more urgent action.


Main results of COP29


Despite important advances, such as strengthening the carbon market and defining new climate finance targets, COP29 also revealed significant challenges:


  1. Climate finance

    • Developed countries have agreed to mobilize US$300 billion by 2035 to support developing nations, an amount criticized as insufficient given the magnitude of climate challenges.

    • Brazil requested US$50 billion for sustainability projects, but secured only US$28 billion , mainly earmarked for forest conservation projects (REDD+*), energy transition and sustainable agriculture.


  2. Carbon market

    • Progress has been made on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including safeguards to protect human and environmental rights. This strengthens markets such as the Brazilian Emissions Trading System (SBCE) , positioning Brazil as a key player in the global carbon market.


  3. Energy transition

    • The transition away from fossil fuels was once again a polarizing issue. Despite efforts to reduce dependence on oil, concrete measures were absent from the final text.


  4. Geopolitics and resistance

    • The absence of the United States, led by Donald Trump, weakened multilateral discussions, while nearly 2,000 fossil fuel industry lobbyists raised concerns about the influence of anti-decarbonization interests.


The Brazilian strategy


Brazil presented an integrated approach at COP29, valuing the alignment between economic and environmental policies, focusing on:

  • Forest conservation : Guaranteed US$10 billion for REDD+ projects, which are essential for reducing emissions and protecting biodiversity.

  • Carbon markets : Consolidation of the SBCE, with a focus on transparency and credibility.

  • Education and engagement : The importance of educating public and private actors on sustainable practices was highlighted.


What about agribusiness?


COP29 highlighted the importance of Brazilian agribusiness in the context of climate change, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and public policies that reconcile agricultural production and environmental preservation.


Participation of Brazilian agribusiness in COP29:


  • Significant Representation : Brazil led the conference in terms of agribusiness representatives, with 54 participants, including lobbyists from companies such as JBS and Bayer. This significant presence sparked debate about the sector's influence in climate negotiations.

  • Official position: Environment Minister Marina Silva stated that Brazil can balance agribusiness development with environmental preservation, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices.


Initiatives and Commitments


  • National Program for Conversion of Degraded Pastures (PNCPD): The Ministry of Agriculture presented the PNCPD, which aims at the sustainable use of approximately 40 million hectares of degraded pastures, allowing the doubling of the food production area without generating deforestation.

  • Use of bioinputs: Data from Embrapa revealed that 64% of Brazilian producers use biofertilizers and 61% use biopesticides, rates higher than those of European countries, indicating significant progress in sustainable agricultural practices in the country.


Challenges and perspectives


  • Pressures and expectations: COP29 highlighted the pressure on Brazil to align agribusiness with more ambitious climate goals, with significant challenges such as reducing deforestation and implementing low-carbon agricultural practices.


  • Sustainable future: The active participation of Brazilian agribusiness in COP29 highlights the need for public policies that promote sustainability, ensuring food security and environmental preservation.


The route to COP30 in Belém


Brazil will play a central role at COP30 , which will take place in Belém. The event will provide the opportunity to lead discussions on new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and establish a new credibility framework for climate multilateralism. As host, Brazil will face the challenge of restoring trust in the global process and advancing critical issues such as financing and energy transition.


Conclusion


COP29 reaffirmed the importance of ambitious and coordinated strategies to tackle climate change. Brazil has demonstrated leadership in initiatives such as REDD+ and carbon markets, but it still needs to overcome challenges in raising funds and implementing projects.


The conference also reinforced the need for Brazilian agribusiness to increasingly adopt sustainable practices, balancing production and environmental preservation to mitigate climate change.


With COP30 on the horizon, the country has the opportunity to consolidate its position as a global benchmark in sustainability, leading negotiations for a more just and resilient future.


* REDD+, which stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, is a program developed under the auspices of the United Nations to combat climate change. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from activities that cause deforestation and forest degradation, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, REDD+ also encompasses actions that promote forest conservation, sustainable management, and the increase in forest carbon stocks, expanding climate, social, and economic benefits.



What we saw and read to write this file


 
 
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