"Brazil must be back!" - But Real Climate Action Is Possible Only after Bolsonaro

Abstract

Jair Bolsonaro's presidency has been characterised by a sharp increase in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, support for agribusiness, and the repression of indigenous peoples and environmental activists. At the Glasgow COP26 climate conference this November, however, Brazil presented itself as more willing to compromise. Yet, the reasons for new pledges do not indicate a changed mindset, but rather an increasing commodification of climate protection that serves economic interests. Brazil's contribution to international climate protection is urgently needed. At first sight, the promises made by the Brazilian government at the Glasgow climate conference seem surprising, as Jair Bolsonaro's presidency has been marked by increasing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions and reduced climate protection measures. A closer look at the government's record and its new pledges reveals that they do not represent a real shift in the country's climate policy. Greenwashing rhetoric aside, the latest pledges also need to be understood as an attempt to secure profits from financialised conservation mechanisms such as voluntary carbon markets. Chances for a real turnaround in Brazil's domestic and international climate approach will come only with a change of president in the upcoming elections in October 2022. Until then, the hopes for climate action lie with Brazil's federal states and with civil society organisations, both of which have been implementing climate initiatives on the subnational level and demonstrated strong unity and commitment at the Glasgow summit. Until a new federal government is putatively elected in 2022, European policy­makers and non-governmental organisations should actively support indigenous communities and subnational and civil society initiatives working towards sustainable and socially just ways of climate protection. European banks and enterprises should avoid investing in "greenwashing initiatives" and instead support sustainable and socially responsible projects that contribute to climate protection in the long term.