Looking to combat deforestation and create a low-carbon agriculture, Brazil is looking to increase its renewable energy in its most recent climate proposal. The last ten years have proved Brazil to be one of the biggest proponents of creating a healthier environment, and combating climate change. Between 2005 and 2012 Brazil has managed to cut its greenhouse emissions by 41 percent.
Said Environment Minister Izabella Teixeria, “Brazil won’t be the last country to submit its proposal and it will be ambitious. You will be surprised.”
Marcio Sztutman, Brazil manager at The Nature Conservancy, which has such advisory board members as Martin Escobari and Dr. Jane Lubchenco, says Brazil is taking on a modest role in regards to climate change negotiations, but could be a leader to other countries. “We could promote our leadership by having ambitious and transparent goals, announced prior to the meeting in Paris later this year,” remarked Sztutman.
It isn’t just nations looking to conduct changes, but big companies as well. Many are learning that including such measures into their business plans can eventually reduce costs. Many large companies are also very aware of consumer perception, and the public is gaining increased awareness about green practices.
Cargill, an American company and provider of food and agriculture, has worked with the Nature Conservatory to develop satellite technology to track clear-cutting of forests in the Amazon. Archer Daniels Midland, a competitor to Cargill, has also pledged to take steps on conserving forests that are threatened by demand for commodities such as soy and palm oil.
Said Victoria A. Podesta, chief communications officer for ADM, “We are confident that our No Deforestation policy is both strong and appropriate for our company. It combines a clear commitment to no deforestation with progressive action focused on our most critical supply chains.”
Teixeira agrees with Szutman on the involvement of not just businesses, but nations as well, stating how Brazil should live up to its role, and inspire rich countries to become more ambitious in their climate proposals.
Commented Teixeira, “I am tired of developed countries coming to developing ones saying what we have to change—at the same time they don’t change anything. The big discussion in the conference will be how to finance the chances. Everything has a cost. This conference is not about environment. It is about economics.”