When President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva assumed office in early 2023, there was a sigh of relief from environmentalists. After four years of environmental devastation under his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, Lula pledged to protect the climate upon arrival.
Fast forward two years to disappointment, as Brazil is set to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), and Lula and his government are promoting oil exploration at the Amazon River’s mouth and approval for joining the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+).
The global community expected Brazil to lead the climate discussion in 2025, and doubling down on oil expansion is seen as a betrayal, according to Claudio Angelo from Observatorio do Clima.
Brazil is the eighth-largest global oil exporter and wants to increase its oil share and become a top-four player. The Brazilian government says the state should not be ashamed of being an oil producer.
OPEC brings together major oil producers, and critics argue that Brazil should not join OPEC+ as it cements the country’s oil ambitions for the future. Lula argues that oil revenues are needed to fund a green energy transition.
However, Ilan Zugman from 350.org rejects the government’s argument and says that Brazil gives billions in oil subsidy. He wants to see a shift in subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables. Federal subsidies for oil, gas, and coal were five times more than what is invested in renewables in 2022.
Brazil is the world’s sixth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, with deforestation and land-use changes in the Amazon region responsible for emissions. President Lula promised to curb deforestation and end tree felling by the end of the decade.
Despite being a climate leader, some researchers argue that Brazil’s targets for emissions reduction aren’t ambitious enough. The country is also experiencing some of the worst consequences of climate change, such as droughts and wildfires.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/lula-s-climate-betrayal-brazil-eyes-oil-expansion/a-72000689?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
