London Climate Action Week 2026 highlighted the crucial role of culture in climate solutions, with events focusing on climate justice, adaptation, and international policy. The Cool Off for Culture campaign was launched to provide cooling spaces during heatwaves, while the Third International Seminar for Culture and Climate showcased Brazil's leadership in promoting cultural solutions to climate challenges. Discussions emphasized the importance of cross-ministerial action, the integration of Indigenous knowledge, and the value of artists in driving positive tipping points for climate action. The event underscored the significance of culture as essential social infrastructure for meaningful system change in the face of climate change.
Tag: Brazil
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Interview: COP31 president says electrification is ‘surest way to protect citizens’
COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum has launched a target for 35% of the world's final energy to come from electricity by 2035, aiming to keep the 1.5C Paris Agreement target within reach. The urgency for renewables and electrification is highlighted due to the ongoing Hormuz crisis, with countries like the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, and Ethiopia welcoming the target. This initiative focuses on electrification as a key action agenda to drive progress in reducing global emissions, particularly in critical sectors like buildings, transport, and industry. Financial support for developing countries and investment in grids and infrastructure are crucial, with the target aiming to triple renewable energy capacity and take advantage of falling costs. Turkey is also taking ambitious steps, planning to reach 120GW of renewable capacity by 2035, with the target expected to be central to discussions at COP31 to align global efforts and send a clear market signal.
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Press Release: Initiative in Recife draws on learnings from report to tackle waste and plastic pollution
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is partnering with the City of Recife, Brazil's Federal Government, and businesses like Mars Inc., Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever to tackle waste and plastic pollution. The collaboration aims to unlock up to R$300 million for collection and recycling systems in Recife, creating jobs, improving conditions for waste pickers, and keeping plastics out of Brazil's rivers. The initiative aims to develop a new approach to collection and recycling systems for packaging, with the hope of informing national policy and becoming a model for other cities. The Foundation and municipality will work with stakeholders to develop a detailed plan for the city, with implementation expected to begin in 2027. The Closing the Loop report highlights the potential for a better urban waste system in Brazil to recover BRL 14 billion in recyclable value and create around 9,300 jobs by 2030, emphasizing the important role of waste pickers in recovering recyclable materials and calling for systemic change in plastics and packaging. Clean Rivers, a foundation backed by the United Arab Emirates, is also taking action to address water and waste challenges in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil.
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We need no-go mining zones for the energy transition to be just
Perrine Fournier from Fern highlights the threat mining poses to ecosystems and the urgent need to declare some areas off-limits for mining, driven by the demand for minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium for clean energy technologies. The expansion of mining in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as efforts in Europe to secure minerals, are threatening fragile ecosystems and Indigenous peoples, impacting climate change by releasing stored carbon. To prevent mining from undermining human rights and climate goals, a global and precautionary approach is needed, with protected areas off-limits to mining. Diversifying economies, reducing mineral demand, and promoting policy choices such as efficient vehicles, alternative battery technologies, public transport, and recycling are crucial steps in addressing these issues. Europe could potentially meet half of its critical mineral needs through recycling by 2050, highlighting the importance of a framework to restrict mining in sensitive areas to protect the environment.
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What to expect from the Bonn climate talks
The annual June climate talks in Bonn are crucial this year due to the oil and gas supply crisis, deadly heatwaves, and global economic and political instability caused by fossil fuel dependency. Key goals of the negotiations include supporting a just transition away from fossil fuels, funding adaptation to climate impacts, and demonstrating a shift towards climate action and clean energy on a global scale. The upcoming COP31 in Bonn will focus on key climate priorities such as a just transition mechanism away from fossil fuels, funding for adaptation to climate impacts, and shifting global finance flows to support a low-carbon world. Additionally, efforts are being made to accelerate the implementation of emissions-cutting and adaptation plans through initiatives like the Belém Mission to 1.5 and Global Implementation Accelerator. Brazil is also working on a roadmap to implement climate solutions, including phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation by 2030, with the establishment of a new rainforest fund to support these efforts.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/06/04/what-to-expect-from-the-bonn-climate-talks/
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Health risks from climate change spur stronger public support for action, research finds
A study found that informing people about health risks linked to climate change is more effective in spurring public support for government-led climate action than messages focused on economic or environmental impacts. Over 80% of participants in a survey across Brazil, India, Japan, and South Africa expressed concern about climate change impacts and backed government measures to prevent public health impacts. The World Health Organization stated that humanitarian emergencies are increasing worldwide due to human-caused rising temperatures, with over a third of the global population exposed to climate threats. Communicating these risks to the public can inspire climate action, as health is a universal concern. Despite pledges to strengthen policies to cut carbon emissions and improve health sector resilience to climate impacts, health has not been a top priority at key climate meetings. Different countries had varying reactions to climate change messaging, with South Africans concerned about children's health and food/water insecurity, Brazilians focused on mental health impacts, and Japanese prioritizing extreme heat. In India, air pollution and access to healthcare were top concerns. Respondents across countries supported government action to address health impacts of climate change, with measures like building solar capacity and investing in air-conditioned public buildings being popular. Experts emphasized the urgency of implementing climate action to protect human health, calling for declaring climate change a global health emergency and scaling up climate-health investment. The article section discusses the importance of climate action as a high-return investment for a more just and resilient society. The Wellcome Trust's survey shows that the public supports stronger action on climate change, with a focus on health being an effective way to engage new audiences. The health angle is seen as a fresh approach to climate dialogue, as it is personal, relevant, and depolarizing. While economic messages still have a purpose, health messaging could be a "missing piece" in climate communications, providing a new way to talk about climate change that feels very relevant to people.
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Hybrid tidal-photovoltaic system for modular renewables deployment in estuarine channels
Researchers in Brazil have developed a hybrid tidal-PV floating farm concept for estuarine channels, analyzing wake effects, turbine spacing, and energy trade-offs. Integrating PV with hydrokinetic turbines improves energy yield by offsetting wake-related losses and optimizing farm configurations. The study focused on the Boqueirão Channel, with tidal ranges above 6m and current velocities exceeding 2.5m/s. Results show that greater turbine spacing allows for better wake recovery and higher energy yield, but creates a trade-off between energy yield and installed capacity. To address this, solar panels were installed on top of each turbine on a floating platform to maximize energy production. Simulation studies showed that increasing the number of columns in the farm layout resulted in higher energy generation and varying levelized costs of energy. The integration of photovoltaic generation helped compensate for energy losses from downstream turbines, improving overall productivity. The study concludes that hybrid systems are a technically feasible and economically promising solution for renewable energy deployment in estuarine channels.
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Swapping Out Diesel For Solar & Batteries In The Amazon Rainforest
Affordability is driving the increase in new renewable energy installations at both grid and individual levels, with solar and wind, along with battery storage, becoming more popular due to decreasing costs. In areas like Africa, Pakistan, and the Amazon rainforest, the transition to solar energy is robust, supported by federal policy, falling technology costs, and philanthropic initiatives. Brazil has successfully increased its wind and solar power capacity to meet and exceed electricity demand growth, reducing the need for fossil fuel generation and lowering power sector emissions. The growth of renewables in Brazil has been significant, with the decline in hydro generation leading to a shift towards wind and solar power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and presenting opportunities to avoid costly imports. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind can provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution, especially in rural areas where diesel generators are currently used.
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New panel of climate scientists calls for fossil fuel transition roadmaps
A new panel of experts, including top climate scientists, is urging governments to develop science-based and just roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels. The panel's recommendations were presented in Santa Marta, Colombia, ahead of a ministerial meeting on transitioning away from coal, oil, and gas. The panel emphasizes the need for whole-of-government plans to overcome barriers to the energy transition. A draft roadmap for Colombia, developed with input from European scientists, shows a pathway to economic and societal benefits through phasing out fossil fuels with energy efficiency measures and renewable energy. Developing countries need an exit route from the "debt trap" of fossil fuels to enable a just and effective transition. Brazil is working on a national roadmap for its economy and leading a global roadmap for climate solutions, with the new panel aiming to provide more specific and targeted advice at a faster pace than the IPCC. The transition beyond fossil fuels depends on cities and collective action, with recommendations including banning new fossil fuel infrastructure and implementing carbon levies on imports. The panel will be co-chaired by experts from Cameroon, Germany, and Brazil, and will consist of scientists working on transition pathways, technological solutions, policies, and finance.
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Why the Next Era of Mangrove Restoration Must Be Led Locally
Coastal 500, the world's largest network of local government leaders committed to coastal protection, has surpassed its 500-member goal with the addition of 105 leaders from Indonesia's Sangihe Islands. The focus is on the importance of local leaders in building thriving coastal communities, particularly in protecting and restoring mangrove forests. Mangroves provide crucial benefits such as shoreline protection, habitat for fish and shellfish, biodiversity support, and food security. Local governments play a key role in balancing coastal development, fisheries access, and disaster planning to ensure effective mangrove conservation. Mangrove protection and restoration are most effective when locally owned, politically supported, and integrated into coastal governance priorities, as seen in Brazil, the Philippines, and Honduras. Coastal 500, representing over 2,000 communities across 8 countries, empowers communities and promotes sustainable fishing practices for climate resilience and food security, with Rare serving as the Secretariat to support members in coordinating activities and engaging with partners.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/the-next-era-of-mangrove-restoration-must-be-local