Brazil keeps climate targets despite failed summit

subscribe

Brazil will make its ambitious 2020 greenhouse gas emissions targets legally binding even though global climate talks failed this month, the country's environment minister said.

"We will fully comply with the targets. It doesn't matter that Copenhagen didn't go as well as we had hoped," Environment Minister Carlos Minc told reporters after meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula will veto three items from a climate bill approved by Congress in November but would maintain the emissions targets, Minc said.

"The targets were maintained, which is the most important. Brazil will have a strong climate change policy," he said.

Brazil aims to reduce its projected 2020 greenhouse gas emissions by as much 39 percent. That amounts roughly to a 20 percent reduction from 2005 levels.

According to the bill that has become law, those targets will be quantifiable and verifiable.

Latin America's largest country had tried to prod other developing and industrialized countries into adopting bold targets at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen earlier this month. But the meeting failed to produce a new framework agreement on climate to follow the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012.

Brazil is one of the largest carbon emitters, largely due to the destruction of the Amazon rain forest. Deforestation, which has fallen sharply in recent years, releases carbon as trees burn or decompose.

Among the items Lula will veto were proposals to limit the construction of small hydroelectric plants and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Related News

berlin-electric-utility-wins-national-safety-award

Berlin Electric Utility Wins National Safety Award

BERLIN - The Town of Berlin Electric Utility Department has been recognized for its outstanding safety practices with the prestigious Safety Award of Excellence from the American Public Power Association (APPA). This national honor is a testament to the utility’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety for its workers, ensuring both their well-being and the continued reliability of the electrical services provided to the community.

Recognition for Excellence

In an era when workplace safety is a critical concern, the Town of Berlin Electric Utility Department’s achievement stands out. The department earned the Gold Designation award in the category…

READ MORE
nova scotia power plant

N.S. joins Western Climate Initiative for tech support for emissions plan

READ MORE

graph

Florida PSC approves Gulf Power’s purchase of renewable energy produced at municipal solid waste plant

READ MORE

frisco solar power

Flowing with current, Frisco, Colorado wants 100% clean electricity

READ MORE

indian electricity

OPINION Rewiring Indian electricity

READ MORE