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Brazil to rank among countries with lowest greenhouse gas emissions in energy production, study finds
According to the study, even with the increase of emissions due to Brazil’s improved social and economic standards by 2034, per capita emissions will be low compared to other nations - Credit: Getty Images
The Environmental and Energy Dossier of the Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan (Caderno de Meio Ambiente e Energia do Plano Decenal de Expansão de Energia / PDE) 2034, published by Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (Ministério de Minas e Energia / MME) and Energy Research Company (Empresa de Pesquisa Energética / EPE) on Monday, October 21, provides a socio-environmental analysis of the country’s energy sector and highlights key challenges and opportunities for the next decade.
According to the study, even with increased emissions resulting from Brazil’s improved social and economic conditions by 2034, per capita emissions will remain low compared to other countries. In 2022, energy production and use accounted for only 24% of Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), thanks to its diversified energy mix and significant reliance on renewable sources.
The projected emissions of 2.4 tCO2eq per capita (tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita) indicate that, compared to Europe (5.4 tCO2eq/capita) and the United States (13.8 tCO2eq/capita), Brazil will be aligned with a sustainable and inclusive energy transition.
SECTORS — Projections for the next decade indicate that the transportation and industry sectors will remain the largest emitters, contributing 68% of sectoral emissions by 2034. However, emissions from the transportation sector are expected to see only a modest 12% increase between 2024 and 2034, due to advancements in public policies promoting the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable alternatives like ethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), alongside improvements in efficiency, motorization, and the gradual adoption of electric vehicles.
The study also highlighted strategic social and environmental opportunities, such as energy generation from waste, optimization of existing resources and infrastructure, and the adoption of sustainable practices and decarbonization strategies in energy projects. The energy sector’s main strategy to mitigate emissions focuses on maintaining a high share of renewable sources and exploring innovative solutions and technologies that align with Brazil’s potential and cost-effective alternatives.
Access the Environment and Energy dossier (available in Portuguese).