'For us, industry is not the problem, but the solution,' says the Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment.

Da National Confederation of Industry -  The environmental agenda represents a great opportunity for Brazil to advance towards sustainable development, and industry has a strategic role in this path. This assessment, made by the executive secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), João Paulo Capobianco, summarizes a broader perspective: that the industrial sector is a partner in the search for joint solutions capable of stimulating new businesses, increasing job and income opportunities, and thus addressing social inequality while promoting the preservation of natural resources.

“We have a monumental challenge ahead of us, which is the emergence of the climate crisis, but we also have many opportunities and we need to seize them. For us, industry is not the problem, it is the solution. Industry adds value, and that is central to a long-term economic vision, especially in the Amazon,” said the secretary. 

He participated, on Wednesday (29), in the 133rd meeting of the Thematic Council on Environment and Sustainability (Coemas) of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI). On the occasion, he presented the perspectives and priorities of the federal government in this area, highlighting the fight against illegal deforestation, the development of the bioeconomy, the use of clean technologies for energy generation, such as bioenergy and green hydrogen, and the circular economy.  

Preserving while promoting the development of local communities.

Deforestation, besides being one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, generates poverty, destruction, and water insecurity. Therefore, this issue is a priority for the government, the secretary emphasized, informing that 19 ministries are participating in the coalition to reduce deforestation rates in all Brazilian biomes. 

Bioeconomy is another highly relevant topic on the federal government's agenda, so much so that it motivated the creation of a national secretariat on the subject, with the commitment to bring the economic sector closer to the potential of biodiversity. According to Capobianco, genetic resources have great potential to boost development and should be viewed from the perspective of new opportunities for using forest assets to generate business, add value, create jobs, and attract tax benefits. 

Also highlighted as priorities for the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) were the promotion of clean energy production solutions, such as green hydrogen and bioenergy, and the development of the circular economy—all alternatives and actions that are aligned with the industry's strategy for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. 

The secretary also expressed support for draft laws that are part of the industry's minimum agenda, presented this week to the National Congress, especially the tax reform proposals – an important proposal to create mechanisms that favor and stimulate the development of an industry focused on a green economy – and the regulation of the carbon market. 

Convergence of agendas demonstrates the sustainability of the industry.

The president of Coemas and director of the Instituto Amazônia+21, Marcelo Thomé, described the government's environmental agenda as positive and proactive, and highlighted the convergence of interests between the federal Executive branch and the CNI (National Confederation of Industry) towards a low-carbon economy capable of boosting the country's sustainable development.

"Brazilian industry, which accounts for approximately 24% of GDP, has been demonstrating how sustainable it is," the leader emphasized, highlighting the paper and pulp and sugar-alcohol sectors as examples of a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, both with a favorable balance when calculating carbon emissions and removals applied to their activities.

According to the Brazilian Tree Industry Association (IBÁ), planted forests for industrial purposes in Brazil absorbed 1,69 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere in 2014 through photosynthesis, equivalent to one year of national emissions. 

“We are 100% in agreement with the priorities of the Ministry of the Environment, especially regarding the fight against deforestation, which is urgent. We have a lot to contribute to a sustainable development agenda in the Amazon,” Thomé emphasized.

He also highlighted that the creation of the Amazon+21 Institute by the CNI demonstrates a significant mobilization of industry to foster sustainable businesses in the region. 

CNI's priorities for 2023

Davi Bomtempo, CNI's Executive Manager of Environment and Sustainability, used the meeting to present the Confederation's environmental agenda priorities for 2023 to the participants. The actions encompass measures related to the industry's four strategic pillars: carbon market, energy transition, circular economy, and forest conservation.  

Among the main actions aimed at developing a low-carbon economy and increasing competitiveness are the preparation of a decarbonization plan for industry and support for the structuring of a regulated carbon market. On the global climate agenda, the focus is on CNI's participation in the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, which will be held in Dubai and will have a strong focus on attracting investment, with business roundtables and business missions.

In the pillar related to energy transition, CNI will prioritize the implementation of the strategy for the development of the sustainable hydrogen chain, which plays a central role as a clean energy solution; the encouragement of energy efficiency actions in industry, through the second phase of the Alliance Program; and support for the development of the offshore wind energy market. 

In the area of ​​circular economy, the priority is the development of a national policy on the subject. And in the area of ​​forest conservation, actions are needed to internalize the Post-2020 Global Framework for Biodiversity and strategies to stimulate sustainable forest production.