Brazil submits to the UN its new NDC in alignment with the Paris Agreement

The Vice President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, accompanied by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, and the Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha, officially submitted Brazil's new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) this Wednesday (Nov. 13), 5:00 p.m. (Baku local time). The document was delivered during COP29, the UN climate conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.

The new NDC establishes the goal of reducing the country's net greenhouse gas emissions by between 59% and 67% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels, which is equivalent to reaching between 850 million and 1.05 billion tons of CO₂ in absolute terms. This commitment reflects Brazil's alignment with the Paris Agreement goals.

By setting a target range, Brazil’s NDC defines the goal  to make every effort to achieve an ambitious reduction in net emissions by 67%, as explained above, allowing, however, for a margin of variation in the event of significant changes in the economic scenarios, international cooperation and technological advances adopted in its definition and which, therefore, may influence its implementation by 2035.

Based on this new NDC, the sectoral plans for mitigation, being currently developed and expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, will establish absolute values ​​for reducing emissions of all greenhouse gases and targets for all sectors of the Brazilian economy. As a result, Brazil will be in line with the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and of the global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels, as per the Global Stocktake agreed on at COP28, held in Dubai in 2023.

Based on the Pact between the three branches of the Brazilian Government for Ecological Transformation, signed in August 2024, Brazil's climate commitment demonstrates the country’s determination to inaugurate a new development paradigm. This model seeks to reconcile ambitions for socioeconomic prosperity, climate justice and balance, reflecting an integrated vision of sustainability that promotes economic growth and environmental preservation and recognizes the value of  ​​the culture and contributions of the practices and lifestyles of indigenous peoples.

The document was also designed as an investment platform to channel international funds into ecological transformation based on technological innovation, conscious use of natural resources, increased economic productivity, generation of income and employment, and reduced inequalities. By fulfilling its NDC, Brazil will leverage its comparative sustainability advantages to expand and modernize the national productive structure.

As part of a sustainable development model for Brazil, the new NDC is guided by the country’s Climate Plan. Under development by the Federal Government since 2023, the plan focues on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, including seven sectoral plans for mitigation and 16 for adaptation.

The Climate Plan is supported by the economic mechanisms of the Ecological Transformation Plan, including the Brazil Platform for Climate Investments and Ecological Transformation (BIP), the Eco Invest Brazil Program, the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB), the Sustainable Sovereign Bonds, the Climate Fund, tax reform, and the regulated carbon market - the Brazilian Emissions Trading System (SBCE). In addition, actions to  fight deforestation and aimed at forest restoration will be sponsored by the Amazon Fund, the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), and initiatives by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), such as the Amazon Restoration Arc.

Significant reductions in deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado are direct results of Brazil's climate commitment, driven by strategic plans such as the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) and the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation and Fires in the Cerrado (PPCDAm). Between August 2023 and July 2024, deforestation droped by 30.6 % in the Amazon  - the most significant drop in 15 years – and by  25.7% in the Cerrado, the lowest level since 2019. These reductions avoided the emission of 400.8 million tons of CO₂ and reinforce the country's commitment to preserving its biomes.

The new NDC was prepared considering the most relevant advancements in science and the  guidelines established in the Climate Plan, developed through a consultation process involving government, society, the private sector, academia, states and municipalities.

The new NDC marks the beginning of a cycle of economic and social prosperity, supported by low-carbon solutions that promote technological innovation, conscious use of natural resources and job creation.  Through these initiatives,  Brazil aims to fulfill its climate commitment and to become a global reference for  prosperity, sustainability and development.