Brazil’s presidential candidates’ approach to climate change

Climate change already affecting Brazil

When Brazil ratified the Paris Accords on Climate Change in 2016, the largest transnational commitment to curb greenhouse-effect emissions, the country promised to reduce its emissions by 37 percent before 2025 and 43 percent by 2030. It is a bold goal that will take a considerable amount of political effort. So, what are the proposals of each presidential candidate for the environment?

It should be noted that projects regarding energy transition, the relationship between agribusiness and deforestation, and how to curb the effects of climate change also tell us a lot about each presidential candidate’s plan for Brazil’s future development. Environmental issues are connected to deep structural issues which are important for our country, such as transportation, water resources, fuel, and energy, among others.

Here’s how the programs of each of the main candidates address these issues:

Jair Bolsonaro

Energy

The far-right candidate wants to promote the Northeast region’s potential for producing energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind.
He also wants to reduce the process to issue environmental permits for small hydropower plants to up to three months, and increase the role of natural gas in Brazil’s energy matrix.