Brazil Climate Action Hub is a success at COP27

The representative space of Brazilian society at the UN Climate Conference had a multisectoral presence, the launch of studies and purposeful debates with the international community and the new government-elect in Brazil

In 2019, the contempt of the government of Jair Bolsonaro for the climate agenda mobilized organizations from civil society and academia to develop a space at the COPs that would represent the efforts of these actors in combating climate change and in the preservation of Brazil’s original and traditional peoples. From this movement, at COP25, in Madrid, the Brazil Climate Action Hub was created, which reached its third edition in 2022, at COP27, in Egypt. The coordinators of the Hub, iCS, the ClimaInfo Institute and the Institute for Environmental Research of the Amazon (IPAM) celebrated a result beyond their expectations: 52 events took place between November 8-18, with 158 entities involved, a multisectoral presence and with pluralistic debates, in addition to a record public (of about 3,000 people)

The space was full of representatives from civil society, young people, the black movement, quilombolas, indigenous peoples, parliamentarians, governors, members of the transitional government, the private sector and the international community, as well as the press. Many topics were addressed; climate justice; strategies of funding and implementation; paths to decarbonization (from the perspective of the bioeconomy, green taxonomies, multisectoral and international alliances and forest protection, among others); adaptation, losses and damages and impacts on the territories (one of the highlights of the final text of the official negotiations); forests and responsibilities; and youth and energy were some of the central themes that were discussed in the debates.

In addition to the high-level discussions, many proposals and specific studies were launched and/or presented to the transition team of the new government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A significant amount of research work and content that has been developed and considered over recent years is now in the hands of the new Executive Branch, which has the support of civil society for the reconstruction of the national climate agenda.

The Brazil Hub had so many repercussions that it had to expand its borders. It was also a place of exchange with the international community. Representatives from countries from the Global South such as Indonesia, the Congo and South Africa were present on panels that discussed alliances, forests and the just energy transition in the developing countries. More than ever, the message was sent: that the climate agenda is not restricted to the environment. On the contrary, its vision and holistic needs pass directly through the economy, the reduction of inequalities, social inclusion, innovative proposals and disruptive strategies.

The highlight was left for the end, when Lula and his delegation met with civil society and recognized and thanked their efforts and the resilience employed in recent years, inviting everyone to actively participate in the reconstruction.

The Brazil Climate Action Hub complied with its mission at COP27, thanks its partners and advises: the work is only just starting.