Brazil Updates Its Commitment to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brazil has become the second country to present its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining commitments for the year 2035. NDCs are voluntary commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming. Brazil’s target is to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% below 2005 levels, which corresponds to emissions of 1.05 to 0.85 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035. Although the deadline for submitting updated NDCs is February 2025, Brazil has taken the initiative to present its updated NDC during COP29.

The implementation of the NDC will occur through the Climate Plan, which includes the National Mitigation Plan, the National Adaptation Plan, and the Cross-Sectoral Strategy. Brazil highlights several priorities, such as “eliminating” illegal deforestation and promoting the preservation of native vegetation. The restoration of native vegetation is identified as a critical element for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This new paradigm for land use requires not only the strengthening of command-and-control measures but also the establishment of positive incentives to make the maintenance and restoration of vegetation economically viable. These incentives could include payments for environmental services, carbon markets, and other financial instruments.

In agriculture, Brazil plans two key transformations: the conversion of new areas, primarily from degraded pastures, and the expansion of integrated crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forestry systems, along with productivity gains in agricultural production systems. Other sectors emphasized in the plan include energy, transportation, cities and urban mobility, waste management, and industry.

With these efforts, Brazil aims to position itself globally as a climate leader, particularly as it takes on the presidency of the next Conference of the Parties (COP).