Brazil creates climate change committee days before COP26

The federal government announced the creation of the National Green Growth Program, spearheaded by the Environment and Economy Ministries. The initiative was unveiled Monday (Oct. 25) and aims to combine slashing carbon dioxide emissions, forest conservation, and the rational use of natural resources with green employment generation and economic growth.

“Brazil is home to the world’s largest biodiversity, one of the biggest oceanic areas and native forests on the planet—features that are translated into competitive advantages in the country as the leader of a new global green agenda,” said Environment Minister Joaquim Leite during an event at the Planalto presidential palace, attended by President Jair Bolsonaro and cabinet ministers.

The announcement comes less than a week before the beginning of the 26th Climate Change Conference (COP26)—to take place from October 31 through November 12, in Glasgow, Scotland. This is the main United Nations meeting on climate and the environment, and should draw representatives from over 190 countries. The Brazilian entourage will be headed by the environment minister.

Early this month, Leite said that, at COP26, Brazil would unveil the target of bringing illegal deforestation to zero by 2030, with no further details on how to meet this goal. The same commitment had been announced by Bolsonaro in April.