By Fabio Teixeira
RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 27 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Seeking to burnish Brazil’s green credentials ahead of the U.N. COP26 climate change conference, the country’s government recently said it had asked 200-some organizations to contribute ideas about the country’s approach to the summit.
Yet several of those listed in its announcement – including non-profits, think-tanks and state-owned companies – last week told the Brazilian newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo they had not been approached about the meeting, which starts in Glasgow Sunday.
Public outcry was swift following just the latest controversy for Brazil ahead of COP26.
Days earlier, an environmental non-profit accused President Jair Bolsonaro of crimes against humanity over the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
But Brazil’s Environment Minister Joaquim Leite has declared his South American nation will be “part of the solution” at the U.N. negotiations.
“We’ll help encourage green projects and move towards a new green economy,” Leite – who will lead the country’s delegation to the conference – said in a statement earlier this month.
But activists, analysts, and politicians are concerned about Brazil’s reception at COP26, where the country’s agribusiness sector and stance on carbon trading markets will be scrutinized, as well its high rate of Amazon deforestation.
Experts fear the government will use the conference to try to boost its image with misleading statements – but they say officials could also be more cooperative with other leaders than usual at the climate talks.
“In the past (COP25) conference, in Madrid, the government sabotaged every discussion,” said Congressman Rodrigo Agostinho, leader of the environmental caucus in Brazil’s Congress.
“We will not be as big of a nuisance this time,” predicted Agostinho, who believes one of the reasons is a growing loss of support for Bolsonaro’s climate policies in Brazil and abroad.
Internationally, Bolsonaro has become more isolated since former U.S. President Donald Trump – who was dismissive of climate change and pulled his country out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting global warming – lost the 2020 election.
In Brazil, businessmen and politicians have felt the impact of the country’s tarnished reputation, Agostinho said, with nations including France seeking alternatives to Brazilian soy and meat, which are linked to deforestation.
“The agro-exporter is under serious pressure from their buyers,” said the congressman, as commodity traders strive increasingly to ensure their goods do not come from deforested areas.
He said some legislators in Brazil with ties to agribusiness, who are aware of the growing pressure, “want the government to change its ways”.
The Environment Ministry did not reply to a request for comment.
