Brazil

We evaluate Brail’s net zero target as: Target information incomplete.

As part of their updated NDC submission in December 2020, Brazil set an indicative goal of reaching net zero by 2060 (Government of Brazil, 2020). This target is conditional on the receipt of financial transfers. The NDC states that reaching net zero by 2050 may be possible if the Paris Agreement’s market mechanisms function properly, without specifying what is meant by a “properly functioning market”. In April 2021, President Bolsonaro announced Brazil’s aim to achieve net zero by 2050 as part of the 2021 Leaders' Climate Summit (Spring & Paraguassu, 2021).

Brazil neither provided specific information in its NDC nor after the announcement at the Summit. An assessment of the net zero target remains impossible given the preliminary status of net zero announcement.

Scope

• Target year – Brazil aims to reach net zero by 2050.
• Emissions coverage – Brazil provides no information on the target’s emission coverage.
• International aviation and shipping – Brazil provides no information on its intention to cover international aviation and shipping.
• Reductions or removals outside of own borders – Brazil provides no information on its intention to use international offset credits to meet its net zero target.

Target architecture

• Legal status – As part of their updated NDC submission in December 2020, Brazil first set an indicative goal of reaching net zero by 2060 (Government of Brazil, 2020). President Jair Bolsonaro announced the target of reaching net zero by 2050 at the 2021 Leaders' Climate Summit in April 2021 (Spring & Paraguassu, 2021). Brazil has not submitted an LTS as of August 2021.
• Separate reduction & removal targets – Brazil provides no information on its intention to communicate separate emission reduction and removal targets.
• Review process – Brazil provides no information on its intention to establish a review cycle for its net zero and intermediate targets.

Transparency

• Carbon dioxide removal – Brazil provides no information on its intention to communicate transparent assumptions on carbon dioxide removals.
• Comprehensive planning – As of August 2021, Brazil does not provide any underlying government or government endorsed pathways, nor does it specify measures and actions to achieve net zero.
• Clarity on fairness of target – Brazil provides no information on its intention to explain the target’s fairness.

The Climate Action Tracker has defined the following good practice for all ten key elements of net zero targets. Countries can refer to this good practice to design or enhance their net zero targets.