US and Brazil on climate change

Below are highlights from the joint statement made by the Brazilian and US governments on climate change.

Leading together

“The Presidents expressed their commitment to work with each other and with other partners to resolve potential obstacles towards an ambitious and balanced Paris agreement. Mindful of the long term goal of limiting global temperature increase to a maximum of 2°C above preindustrial levels, they agreed that there should be strong nationally determined contributions, regular updating by parties in order to promote greater ambition over time, and encouragement of longer term strategies for transitioning to low carbon economies. There should also be strong and credible transparency, including reporting and review, as well as periodic stocktaking of its overall effectiveness.”

“The Presidents recognise the social and economic value of mitigation actions and their cobenefits to adaptation, health and sustainable development. The Presidents pledged to work together toward mobilising public funding and developing financial instruments to catalyse large scale private investments to support low carbon development projects and countries’ transitions to low carbon economies. Further, the Presidents affirmed the need for continued, robust financial support to help realise developing countries’ mitigation potential and to enhance their adaptation actions.”

Ambitious action

“The Presidents underscored the benefits of early mitigation actions for limiting global temperature increase…President Rousseff welcomed the ambitious national mitigation policies and measures of the US and its constructive engagement in multilateral climate change negotiations. President Obama commended Brazil for its very strong mitigation results, principally through a significant curbing of deforestation in the Amazon region.

“The Presidents highlighted the fact that, since 2005, Brazil and the US have reduced greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms more than any other countries in the world. Brazil has reduced its emissions by around 41% as compared to 2005, while the United States has reduced its emissions by around 10% and is on track to meet its 2020 target.”

“Recognising the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy to help power our economies, the United States and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables, beyond hydropower, in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20% by 2030.”

Joint initiative on climate change

“The two Presidents decide to launch a joint initiative on climate change, which will be implemented through a new high level United States/Brazil Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues relating to land use, clean energy, and adaptation, as well as policy dialogues on domestic and international climate issues.”

Clean energy

“The United States and Brazil will strengthen bilateral cooperation mechanisms for energy, including the Strategic Energy Dialogue.”

“Renewable energy: Taking advantage of the abundant renewable resources in both countries, we will expand research on energy supply from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and renewable transportation fuels. Energy efficiency and storage: deepening existing cooperation, we will support smart grid initiatives, the use of energy efficient building materials and improve industrial energy efficiency, including through increased adoption of energy management and efficient energy storage systems, including batteries.

“Basic energy research: Exchanging experiences related to research, development and innovation, and fostering cooperation among universities and research institutions in both countries through the US Energy Frontier Research Centers and Brazil’s Scientific Mobility Program. Catalysing finance: Aiming to spur investment, the United States and Brazil will seek to jointly pilot innovative finance instruments in Brazil designed to mobilise new investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and/or resiliency efforts.”

Cooperation on adaptation

“The United States and Brazil will work together, including through sharing experiences related to national adaptation planning, to build resilience to climate change impacts in areas such as biodiversity and ecosystems; infrastructure, including energy; agricultural production and food security; and water resources. The United States and Brazil will continue collaboration on atmospheric and ecosystem science research.”

“The United States and Brazil will cooperate on managing issues at the nexus of water and energy, in the context of climate change.”

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/02072015/us-brazil-alliance/