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Lula poses for a photo with other heads of state and government during COP28 in Dubai
Item information
- Author: Daniel Gallas
- Role, BBC News Brasil Special Envoy to Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
5 hours ago
The Brazilian government hoped that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates his first as head of state in 13 years would mark Brazil’s return to the forefront of the world’s elite. on environmental issues.
Both episodes sparked criticism of Brazil’s environmental friendliness, especially at an event where Brazil was seeking a leading role in the green agenda.
In the case of joining OPEC+, Brazil has been criticized by environmentalists who say it is contradictory for the country to attack fossil fuel use while allying with a group fighting for the interests of the oil sector.
Regarding the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, criticism came from Macron, who praised Lula for his global role on environmental issues, but said that the agreement allowed the import of products manufactured in Mercosur countries with a dirty ecological footprint into France and Europe would make it easier. — especially from Brazil.
Lula’s answers
On Sunday (March 12), a few hours before his departure for Germany, Lula responded to the two points of criticism that were raised against Brazil at COP28.
Regarding OPEC+, Lula said that becoming an OPEC ally does not mean joining the group, but rather that the country will “pay attention” “I will listen and give an opinion,” the president said.
Lula stated that Brazil would join the forum to defend alternatives to oil.
“It is true that we need to reduce fuel. But it is true that we must create an alternative. So before sectarianism occurs.” [com o petróleo] They must give humanity an option. And our participation in OPEC+ is to discuss with OPEC the need for countries that have oil and are rich to start investing some of their money to help poor countries on the African continent, in Latin America and to help invest in fuel in Asia.”
Lula said OPEC can help countries like Brazil invest in ethanol, wind, solar and green hydrogen projects.
“There is no contradiction, there is nothing. Brazil will never be an effective member of OPEC because we don’t want it to be. Now we want to have an influence.”
Lula also responded to Macron’s criticism of the lack of environmental clauses in the MercosurEU agreement. The French president said on Saturday (March 12), minutes after meeting with Lula, that the agreement was “totally contradictory” to the environmental policies of France and Brazil, as it was not a guarantee of decarbonization of the economies involved.
The Brazilian president said that France’s real concern in the MercosurEU agreement was not the environment, but rather ensuring opportunities to protect its producers from competition from Brazil and South America.
“The position of our French presidential colleague is historically known. France has always been the country that has created an obstacle in the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, because in France there are thousands of small producers who want to produce their products. What does he do now?” “I don’t know that we also have 4.6 million small plots of up to 100 hectares that produce almost 90% of our food and that are quality food and that we also want to sell.”
Lula said he tried to “touch Macron’s heart” so that the French president would think a little more about South America.
“If there is no agreement, be patient, it is not due to a lack of will. The only thing that needs to be clear is that they no longer say that it goes to Brazil’s account. Take responsibility for the rich countries to do it.” I don’t want to make an agreement to make concessions.
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An indigenous Brazilian woman from the Carajá ethnic group takes a photo with a young woman during COP28
COP28
Lula’s participation in COP28 has ended but the meeting will continue until next week. Negotiators from around the world including Brazil will continue to discuss issues such as the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, funding from rich countries to the poorest countries suffering from extreme climate events , and the energy transition debate fossil fuels to renewable sources.
Lula was highlighted at the opening of COP28. He was only the fifth head of state to speak after UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres and King Charles III. of the United Kingdom.
Lula reiterated Brazil’s environmental agenda: commitment to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, that rich countries that emit high levels of harmful gases must compensate poor countries that suffer from extreme weather events and that There is a need for an energy transition there with a reduction in the use of fossil fuels and greater use of renewable energies.
“It is time to confront the debate about the slow pace of decarbonization of the planet and advocate for an economy less dependent on fossil fuels. We must do this urgently and fairly,” Lula said in his speech at the opening session. “How many world leaders are actually committed to saving the planet?”
Driven by recent figures showing a decline in deforestation in the Amazon during his term in office, Lula took part in several events at the UN summit such as reforestation, dialogue with civil society, the nonaligned countries agenda and official summits.
Brazil brought a large delegation of ministers, including from finance, environment and mining and energy, as well as presidents of BNDES, Petrobras and ApexBrasil, the Brazilian export and investment promotion agency.
The delegation of Brazilian negotiators will remain in Dubai until the end of the summit. And now the Brazilian government’s efforts are focused on hosting COP30 in 2025 in Belém, Pará. Lula told the press that he had warned world leaders “not to expect this luxury here in Dubai” in Belém, but that discussions there could be held under trees or on river banks.
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Lula lifts together with Dr. Shaking hands with Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP28 in Dubai
Criticism of Brazil
Environmentalists BBC News Brasil spoke to in Dubai were critical of Lula’s participation in the summit.
For many, Brazil’s alliance with OPEC+ ultimately overshadowed the positive agenda the government was trying to present to the world.
“The gradual abandonment of fossil fuels is the only way to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Any new drilling or even the exhaustion of current exploration projects would already represent an exceedance of the emissions limits necessary to achieve this goal,” said Javier Davalos, climate program lawyer at the USbased NGO Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense.
“Brazil’s proposal for COP28 is Mission 1.5, which defends the achievement of this common goal between nations, and President Lula committed the country to lead by example. However, words seem to be insufficient as the state has announced that it will become the fourth largest oil producer in the world and is likely to join the OPEC+ cooperation charter.”
Peri Dias, spokesman for the global movement 350.org, also based in the United States, which fights the use of fossil fuels in the world, said the alliance with OPEC was a “problem that Brazil did not have to buy, and that is it.” will damage Brazil’s image.”
“Brazil should, at this moment, move away from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, given the potential the country has, and not join a club of oil producers.”
For Dias, Lula gave good speeches at the UN, but “this speech contradicts the government’s actions.”
“And actions speak much louder than words.”