Greenhouse emissions down over 40% in seven years
In 2012, emissions totaled 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, against 2.03 billion in 2005.
Greenhouse gas emissions were cut down by 41.1% from 2005 to 2012, says a report entitled Yearly Estimates on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, published on Thursday (Nov 13) by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). In 2012, emissions totaled 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, against 2.03 billion in 2005.
The most significant reduction was observed in LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry), which accounts for 58% of the emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2005—a figure cut down to 15% in 2012. The decline is seen as a result of the decrease in the deforestation rate as of 2004.
In the view of Carlos Nobre, MCTI Secretary for Research and Development Programs, taking the current trend into consideration, Brazil is likely not to reach 3.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020, (Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil)
In the view of Carlos Nobre, MCTI Secretary for Research and Development Programs, taking the current trend into consideration, Brazil is likely not to reach 3.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020, a maximum target voluntarily agreed by the country in 2009 at the Climate Change Convention, in Copenhagen. The 2012 emissions, for instance, were 44% lower than the forecast for the year.
“Another good piece of news is that the emissions in agriculture show a tendency towards stabilization at a pace faster than previously supposed. Emissions rose 7%, whereas the gross agricultural product increased between 26% and 28% and we can't gauge the results of the Plano ABC [a plan implemented in 2010, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in agriculture]”, noted the secretary.
“MCTI also presented on Thursday a project entitled Options for the Mitigation of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in Brazil's Key Sectors—a partnership with the United Nations Environment Program, with financial support from Global Environment Fund.
The purpose of the project is to further prepare the Brazilian government to deal with climate changes through public policies specifically adapted to the country's reality. The key sectors the title refers to are: industry, energy, housing and services, LULUCF, transport, and waste management, as well as inter-sector options.
The project's technical coordinator, Régis Rathmann, says that the first announcements are expected to be made in March 2015, in an effort to support the Brazilian government when making decisions over climate policies to be proposed at the Climate Change Convention, to be held next year in Paris.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Greenhouse emissions down over 40% in seven years
