Meio Ambiente

Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of Brazil

On December 29, in Brasilia, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted the law establishing the National Policy on Climate Change. The Policy sets the Brazil's commitment to reduce the projected emissions of greenhouse gases within limits ranging from 36.1% to 38.9% by 2020.

The new Policy implementation will be detailed in February 2010 with the publication of a presidential decree that will determine reduction ranges per sectors of the economy and measures to be carried out. Throughout the month of January, federal government technicians will conduct further studies on the subject, which will serve to bolster the presidential text. "Targets in figures are not enough, we must have the tools that will ensure that they are achieved", said Carlos Minc, minister of the Environment.

The National Policy on Climate Change has as main objectives to make the economic and social development compatible with the protection of the climate system and to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the use of clean energy. The document also paves the way for the implementation of measures for adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate by the three federative government layers: federal, state and municipal.

Other highlights of the law provide for the conservation and reclamation of national biomes, the consolidation and expansion of legally protected natural areas and development of the Brazilian Market for Emission Reductions.