Climate takes stage as Brazil election looms

The two main candidates in next month's election are looking to win over voters with a string of environmental pledges

Decarbonisation and adaptation to climate change have gained more prominence in the last stretch before the country heads to the polls on 2 October. Brazil's presidential frontrunner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has embraced a host of green pledges, while far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has sought to reassure foreign investors and gain back some credibility on environmental issues.

Former president Lula has joined forces with his erstwhile environment minister Marina Silva as he seeks to create a broad front "to defend democracy" following Bolsonaro's repeated attacks on the electoral system. Three-time presidential candidate Silva left her position in 2008, and eventually Lula's PT party after a series of clashes over infrastructure projects in the Amazon that she said would harm the rainforest.

But after a two-hour meeting between the former allies, Silva said she would endorse Lula's candidacy "to defeat Bolsonaro and the malevolent seed of Bolsonarism", after the ex-president committed to more than 20 policies she proposed, as outlined in a document. Her priority is said to be the creation of a national climate change authority, ensuring that all public policies adhere to Brazil's targets under the Paris climate agreement. "It is necessary to promote the alignment of public policies with the general objectives of the Paris agreement," Silva says.

A significant proposal is to include carbon emissions reduction targets in contracts for new power plants generating centralised energy. There is no public policy linking decarbonisation targets for the electricity sector with new energy auctions at present. Instead, actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are carried out individually by companies as part of their sustainability agendas.

The document also recommends the implementation of a carbon market in Brazil, with "environmental safeguards" and the generation of credits for reducing emissions from deforestation. The document indicates support for a regulated and mandatory carbon market.

The bold type

Lula calls the programme "bold" and says it consists of goals to be pursued over the course of the government if he is elected, adding that implementation depends on a series of political factors. But he has made it clear that "all ministers will have an obligation on the climate issue".

The former president had already in June pledged to meet Brazil's targets as set out in the Paris agreement, to work towards net zero deforestation and to combat environmental crimes, such as illegal logging, but the new commitments are a significant step further.

Bolsonaro has sought to reassure foreign investors and gain back some credibility on environmental issues, mapping out a vision in the future global green economy through solutions such as green bonds and carbon credits.

But with deforestation rates in the Amazon soaring and environmental agencies weakened under his watch, critics doubt whether the recent signals would translate into a shift in policy if he were re-elected.

Lula increased his share of voter intentions from 45pc last month to 47pc in the latest poll, widening the gap with Bolsonaro from 12 to 14 points.