Brazil Allocates Over R$160 Billion for Low-Carbon Economy Transition Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva announced on Tuesday that Brazil has secured more than R$160 billion in funding to support its transition to a low-carbon economy. The resources, sourced through various financing mechanisms, are intended for projects in renewable energy, clean transportation, green industry, and reforestation. Silva made the remarks at the opening of the Technical-Scientific Congress on Organic Agriculture in Campinas, São Paulo state. The total includes R$27.5 billion allocated to the Climate Fund’s 2026 budget, approved by its governing committee last week. “The fund used to have R$400 million [in its previous budget], and [Finance Minister] Fernando Haddad and I came up with the idea of turning it into something that, with a guarantee mechanism, could raise funds in the market. We announced that it has gone from R$400 million to R$27 billion approved last week. And when we combine the Climate Fund with EcoInvest, we already have more than R$160 billion for the ecological transformation plan,” the minister said. The Climate Fund, created by the government in 2009 to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate adaptation, has mobilized R$52.4 billion in financing since 2023, including R$34.6 billion in 2025 alone, according to the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). EcoInvest, launched in 2024, was designed to attract private capital—particularly from international investors—to finance long-term low-carbon projects. Silva noted that the Lula administration’s next challenge will be ensuring these resources are allocated fairly across the country’s decarbonization initiatives.#brazil #marina_silva #climate_fund #ecoinvest #campinas
Brazil Unveils New Climate Plan Focused on Forest Protection and Emission Reduction Brazilian leaders announced a revised national climate strategy on Monday, March 16, emphasizing expanded forest conservation as a central tactic for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The country has not revised its primary climate mitigation framework since 2008, and the updated plan outlines goals extending to 2035, when Brazil is projected to have significantly reduced its emissions. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 67% compared to 2005 levels. Brazilian officials highlighted that 40% of the nation’s emissions stem from deforestation, often driven by illegal land-clearing activities to expand agricultural operations. Lula has committed to achieving zero deforestation by 2030, a pledge aimed at addressing the root causes of emissions. Recent years have seen Brazil grappling with severe weather events, including floods, wildfires, and droughts, which scientists attribute to climate change. Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva warned reporters that the country is facing a "very serious situation of climate emergency." Meanwhile, Claudio Angelo of the Climate Observatory network praised the new plan for its attempt to tackle the challenge of financing climate goals, though he noted it remains incomplete. Despite the plan’s focus on forest preservation and emission cuts, critics argue it fails to deliver the necessary economic shifts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The strategy’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to balance environmental targets with economic development, a challenge that has long plagued Brazil’s climate efforts.#brazil #luiz_inacio_lula_da_silva #marina_silva #climate_observatory #deforestation
