Brazil hosts international clean transport convention

The First International Workshop on Transport Decarbonization is expected to bring together specialists from Brazil and the world to debate different experiences and strategies for the decarbonization of transport in several countries. The event is to be held in Brasília, and slated to begin Wednesday (Dec. 6).

Decarbonization is a key topic especially for countries like Brazil, where pollution has increased at alarming rates in and outside of major urban centers. The issue has been subject to heated debate since the Paris Agreement launched a global movement attempting to curb greenhouse gas emissions in all major economic activities.

In Brazil, transport accounts for virtually half (48%) of all emissions in the energy sector, according to the latest figures released by the System of Estimates for the Emissions and Removals of Greenhouse Gases (SEEG), which detected a surge of 4% in gas consumption in light vehicles, whereas ethanol saw a 10% decline in 2016.

Among the confirmed international speakers are Harry Lehmann, Director-General at Germany's Federal Environment Service; Carolina Tohá, former Mayor of Santiago, Chile, and co-President of the High-Level Consultative Group for Sustainable Transport of the United Nations Secretariat; and José Mendes, Portugal's Deputy State Secretary and Environment Secretary—which has recently launched the Transport Decabornization Alliance (TDA), an international effort joined by France, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Portugal, among others, and companies such as Michelin and Itaipu Binacional.

Confirmed Brazilian speakers include Martha Martorelli, Planning Manager at the National Secretariat for Urban Mobility of the Ministry of Cities; Clarice Linke, Executive Director at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP Brasil); Juliana Karina Pereira Silva, Environment Manager at Logistic Planning Company (EPL); Leandro Siqueira, Volkswagen/MAN Director for Product Development Director and Portfolio; Aline Cavalcante, cycling advocate and Coordinator at the Climate and Active Mobility; Plínio Nastaria, President of DATAGRO, Sugar & Ethanol Market Analysis.

Confirmation is still pending for Maurício Quintella Malta Lessa, Brazil's Minister of Transport, Ports, and Civil Aviation; and Brazilian Senator Jorge Viana.

The event is organized by the German Embassy, the Institute for Climate and Society (iCS), and the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEMA).

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira