Economy Minister Paulo Guedes defended Brazil’s leading role in the implementation of public policies for environmental protection. He participated in a debate on the green economy promoted by the federal government on Brazil’s stand at COP26, which is held in Glasgow, Scotland.
Geddes pointed out that advanced nations look at the annual influx of pollution, which is the amount of pollutants released by each country into the atmosphere each year. In this scenario, the United States accounts for 15% of the annual pollution flux, the European Union, 14%, China, 30%, Indonesia, 5% and Brazil, 1.7%. According to the minister, to curb this pollution, countries propose punishment through taxes.
Brazil’s position is that other countries recognize those who have protected and begin to pay remuneration to those who have kept their forests standing. Ministers took the matter to Indonesia and India, countries that will chair the G20 together with Brazil in the coming years. The idea is that all three countries seem to defend their positions simultaneously. “It is good that we have a common agenda, so that in the G20 meeting itself, Brazil, Indonesia and India have this recognition for the conservation of natural resources, this stock of money, as opposed to the annual inflow, which is taxed. We have to find a way to remunerate those who preserve this stock of wealth”, the minister said.
Paulo Guedes highlighted that the federal government is developing some guidelines in this regard, such as raising funds from public banks, primarily Banco dos Brix, a group formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. , for investment in green infrastructure. . According to Guedes, Banco dos Bris is providing US$2.5 billion for sustainable infrastructure, bioeconomy, sanitation and measures that can reduce pollutants and encourage conservation of natural resources.
The economy minister also cited the example of the federal government with the creation of the Green Card, which encourages rural producers to produce while starting and receive payment for environmental services, thus generating additional income. The equipment allows companies interested in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to earn the title through a manufacturer’s commitment to maintaining a protected area. “For the first time in Brazil, we have a financial tool that encourages rural producers to conserve natural resources. A living tree costs more than a dead tree because it [o produtor rural] receives for environmental services”, Geddes said.
Another measure pointed out by the minister during the program was the offer of subsidized interest for those producing low-carbon agriculture.
Paulo Guedes also said that illegal deforestation is a problem that needs to be solved by Brazil and that the federal government has doubled its resources to fight this type of crime.
