COP26 president Alok Sharma has welcomed key climate commitments from the Brazilian government made during his recent visit to the South American country.
Sharma met with vice president Maurão and a number of other Brazilian ministers to discuss their progress toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and plans to bring forward a target of ending illegal deforestation by the end of the decade.
With three months to go until the UK’s hosting of the COP26 climate change summit in November, the UK government has been calling on its international counterparts to come forward with ambitious plans to end deforestation and reliance on fossil fuels, as well as hastening the transition to green vehicles.
While in the capital city of Brasilia, Sharma hosted a conference called “Closing the Ambition Loop with Gonzalo Muñoz, a UN climate champion, during which a further two regions, plus a number of cities and businesses committed to net zero by 2050.
In approval of Brazil’s newest commitments, Sharma said: “I welcome Brazil’s pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and eliminate illegal deforestation by 2030. I have heard encouraging signs of progress towards these goals and look forward to seeing detailed plans on implementation of those commitments.
“Brazil is key to the global fight against climate change, and as an agriculture powerhouse has much to contribute to advancing climate action and delivering green growth.”
Brazil’s total commitments made toward the drive for net zero will account for almost half of its total carbon emissions currently, as well as 50 per cent of the Brazilian GDP.
