Brazil at COP28: climate leadership and expectations for a sustainable future

On the way to the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) to be held between November 30 and December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Brazilian Presidency's Social Communications Secretariat (Secretaria de Comunicação Social da Presidência da República/SECOM) presented a briefing for the national and international press this Monday, November 20, at Palácio Itamaraty.

The main goal of this COP is to approve what is known as the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement. We have to have a text that shows us what has been done and what is missing, in the context of the first eight years of the Agreement. The main expectation is that COP29 will set a new level for financing climate action and, after that, at COP30, countries are expected to present their new NDCs" 

André Corrêa do Lado, Brazil's Secretary of Climate, Energy and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Brazil's delegation will be headed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and will include ministers as well as government, private sector, academia and civil society representatives — thus reaffirming the importance and transversality of the topic to the Brazilian government. More than 138 heads of State and Government are expected to attend the conference.

Brazil is committed to leading by example at the major global event on climate change, starting by its positive results from reducing deforestation in the Amazon — which has registered a more than 40% drop since January, under president Lula's term.

Brazil is also focused on achieving other good results — such as reducing emissions by reducing deforestation. Moreover, 48% of its energy matrix is made up of renewable sources.

"The main goal of this COP is to approve what is known as the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement. We have to have a text that shows us what has been done and what is missing, in the context of the first eight years of the Agreement. The main expectation is that COP29 will set a new level for financing climate action and, after that, at COP30, countries are expected to present their new NDCs,” highlighted Brazil's Secretary of Climate, Energy and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.

NEGOTIATIONS – COP28 will take place after the sixth assessment cycle of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The latter reiterated the general sense of urgency and gravity, warning that there is only a narrow window open to avoid the points of no return caused by climate change, as well as any disruptive consequences to ecological and socioeconomic systems.

With this in mind, Brazil is working towards significant results this year, advancing the climate discussion to pave the way for COP30 — to be hosted in Belém do Pará in 2025. "Brazil will be in a very comfortable internal situation in Dubai, bringing the results of its efforts to reduce deforestation and its adjusted targets, and harboring a government that considers climate change one of its most important topics,” highlighted the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment's Secretary for Climate Ana Toni.

"Brazil is not only bringing up a successful internal policy regarding rainforests, but also strong coordination work and several proposals to ensure that the discussion around tropical rainforests is based on the ideas of those who harbor them in their territories," said Toni.

PARIS AGREEMENT – At COP21 in 2015, the world agreed to limit global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. To remain on target, science says that emissions must be reduced by more than 40% by 2030. "Science is an essential element to guide negotiations. The 1.5°C limit is a commitment, to Brazil," said Ana Toni.

Each signatory country has established its own targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These targets are the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The Brazilian NDC — which was updated in 2023 — states that Brazil must reduce its emissions by 48% (2025) and 53% (2030) in relation to 2005 emissions.

 Furthermore, in 2023, Brazil reiterated its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050; that is, everything the country still emits must be offset with carbon capture sources such as forest planting, biome recovery and other technologies. 

The Paris Agreement Global Stocktake (GST) is expected to guide the new cycle of nationally determined contributions that are expected for 2025. Brazil defends that the GST addresses gaps in the implementation of the regime, especially in financing, technology and training in favor of developing countries. The GST should reinforce that the international community must unite, commit to multilateralism and reject unilateralism.

LOSS AND DAMAGE FUND – The Climate Loss and Damage Fund is considered one of COP27's most important achievements. The Conference was held in Egypt in November 2022.

The mechanism is expected to provide financial aid to the countries that are suffering the greatest impacts of climate change, and is a long-standing demand from the countries that are suffering the most severe consequences of extreme events such as floods, droughts and wildfires.

ACTION AGENDA – In parallel to the decisions to be approved in the Climate Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and its Paris Agreement, the COP28 presidency is placing emphasis on the Action Agenda –– in which declarations, initiatives, commitments will be launched to encourage voluntary action in support of the climate. In this context, Brazil may give support to certain declarations and take part in events –– such as those concerning nature and forests –– in which it intends to show the results of the Amazon Summit and launch proposals for the period from Dubai to Belém.

ESPAÇO BRASIL – The venue will host cultural events, exhibitions and debates on tackling climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The main message of the Brazilian participation in COP28 is “Brazil united in its diversity on the path to a sustainable future.” A total of 110 events from a variety of fields will be held there over the two weeks of COP28.