GDP growth to boost if Brazil cuts greenhouse emissions

A study recently presented by the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change to Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira reveals that Brazil could increase its growth if the country cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. The survey was led by Luiz Pinguelli Rosa and Emilio La Rovere, scientists and professors at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

According to the survey, entitled Economic and Social Implications: Scenarios for the Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases, Brazil could add over $150 billion to the GDP estimated for the country between 2015 and 2030 by adopting more ambitious measures aimed at reducing global warming-related gas emissions.

Possible mitigation strategies for building a greener economy include an increase in the use of biofuels—like charcoal in metalworking—lowering the rate of carbon dioxide in agriculture, and more investment in transport.

According to the scientists, these moves could make a positive impact on economic and social indicators. “We've put this tool in the hands of people from the government, from NGOs, from the production sector, and from trade union centers to consider a variety of scenarios. As a result, we learn a great deal about the debate on the future of the Brazilian economy”, La Rovere argued.

“One of the project's achievements is the proof that growth in the country and a rise in employment are possible in a green-economy scenario through a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,” Professor Luiz Pinguelli Rosa stressed. “We've been resorting to science to tackle this challenge in the environment arena, in a bid to develop a new competence for the decisive development process,” Minister Teixeira said.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira