The UN Environment Programme has named five new climate visionaries as its 2025 Champions of the Earth, recognizing their work on climate justice, sustainable cooling, forest protection, and methane emissions reductions. The laureates, including Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Supriya Sahu from Tamil Nadu, Mariam Issoufou Architects, and Imazon from Brazil, are driving real change for people and the planet with their innovative leadership in areas such as climate law, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and deforestation prediction models. Imazon's non-profit research institute, using science and AI-driven geospatial tools, is curbing deforestation in the Amazon and supporting legal cases. Cynthia Houniuhi is honored for pioneering forest monitoring systems, while Manfredi Caltagirone, posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, dedicated his career to addressing climate challenges, particularly methane emissions, and shaping global energy policy through his work at UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory.
Tag: Brazil
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CDR Monthly Recap
In November, the durable carbon removal market saw over 268,000 tonnes of CDR contracted, with deals from companies like Charm Industrial, Boeing, Reversion, and Frontier Buyers. Various partnerships and funding opportunities are driving momentum in the industry, with initiatives like the Carbon Issuance Calendar and the Open Standard Carbon Removal Purchase Agreement. Projects like NetZero's new biochar plant in Brazil are also contributing to carbon removal efforts. Companies and organizations worldwide are investing in projects focused on carbon capture and removal technologies, including direct air capture units, biochar facilities, and carbon-capture field pilots. The industry is focused on enhancing transparency, scalability, and coordination to support climate goals.
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The Symbiosis Of Food And Climate Arise At COP30
COP30 focused on addressing the unequal distribution of climate impacts, with a focus on food and climate solutions. Initiatives were announced to promote healthy food and climate exchanges, including reducing food waste and methane emissions. Brazil, Japan, and the UK supported goals for resilient agriculture and reducing environmental impacts. The Gates Foundation added funds for smallholder farmer climate adaptation. The Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge continues to mobilize investments to end hunger and malnutrition, with a focus on smallholder farmers and regenerative agriculture. The section also emphasizes the need for more media coverage on the impact of animal agriculture on climate change, the importance of finance in addressing climate-related issues in agriculture, and the updated Planetary Health Diet endorsing a plant-rich diet with reduced meat consumption to combat climate change.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/25/the-symbiosis-of-food-and-climate-arise-at-cop30/
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COP30 and the Just Clean Energy Transition
The COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil highlighted efforts to implement the Paris Agreement by transitioning from coal to clean energy in developing countries. The Kinetic Coalition, led by C2ES, is driving investment in clean energy systems in emerging economies through energy transition credits, with a focus on affordable, reliable, and secure electricity to meet Paris Agreement goals. The Final Report of the Transition Credits Coalition (TRACTION), led by MAS, aims to establish integrity and demand for energy transition credits, emphasizing a just transition for coal plant workers and communities. The partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation and the signing of a Statement of Support for Energy Transition Credits by various sectors demonstrate a commitment to advancing energy prosperity and accelerating the clean energy transition.
https://www.c2es.org/2025/11/cop30-and-the-just-clean-energy-transition/
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All you need to know about the outcome of COP30
COP30 in Belém, Brazil saw a strong focus on transitioning from promises to action in the fight against climate change, with discussions on phasing out fossil fuels, climate finance, and transitioning to renewable energy. Indigenous and frontline communities pushed for justice, leading to the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism for a just transition. Momentum for a fossil fuel phase-out grew, with countries like Brazil and Colombia moving towards this goal. Despite delays in funding, progress was made towards a just transition and a global push to end fossil fuels, driven by people-powered leadership. The upcoming International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels aims to address the finance gap and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate impacts.
https://350.org/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-outcome-of-cop30/
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Environmental News Network – Creating an Extension-Driven Vision for Smarter Farming
Luan Oliveira, a researcher in agricultural engineering and precision agriculture, utilizes machines, drones, artificial intelligence, and robots to improve farming operations. His work, influenced by his family's farming background in Brazil, directly supports Georgia's agriculture industry. Oliveira's passion for machinery and agriculture led him to focus on utilizing robotic equipment in the field to enhance agricultural practices. His research at the University of Georgia highlights the potential for technological advancements to revolutionize farming methods and increase efficiency in the agricultural sector.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77455-creating-an-extension-driven-vision-for-smarter-farming
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Brazil creates new Indigenous territories after COP30 protests
Brazil has created 10 new Indigenous territories, including one in the Amazon, to protect culture and environment, with calls for more lands to be legally recognized. Indigenous peoples protect biodiversity and traditional ways of life help tackle global warming, with past recognition of Indigenous reserves preventing deforestation and potentially reducing carbon emissions by 26% by 2030. The Brazilian government has announced the creation of new protected areas for indigenous peoples, crucial for regulating the global climate and storing carbon, with efforts at COP30 to limit global temperature rises and address the impacts of climate change. Indigenous groups face attacks when defending their land, with protests at COP30 demanding land demarcation to ensure the protection of Indigenous territories and their vital role in climate solutions.
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COP30 draft text includes energy transition minerals in UN climate first
Countries attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil are discussing the implications of extracting minerals for clean energy technologies, with a focus on the social and environmental risks of scaling up supply chains. The UN panel report emphasizes the importance of putting human rights at the core of mineral value chains, particularly for minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium that are in high demand. Developing countries, including African nations, are advocating for fair and sustainable mineral supply chains for the energy transition, highlighting the need for strong social and environmental safeguards, sustainable consumption patterns, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is debate over the inclusion of language on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with developing countries calling for technical assistance and international cooperation for a just energy transition, while developed countries are exploring alternatives to creating a new institution.
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COP30: Brazil leads a new global effort to accelerate multilevel climate action
Brazil and Germany have been announced as the first co-chairs of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) until 2027, aiming to enhance collaboration between national and subnational governments in climate policy and finance. The Plan to Accelerate the Solution (PAS) on Multilevel Governance was launched to advance global climate cooperation and implement the Paris Agreement, with a goal to include multilevel governance structures in 100 national climate plans by 2028 and train 6,000 public officials and practitioners in CHAMP-endorsing countries by the same year. The implementation of the PAS will be led by Brazil's Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, supported by various global initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalizing multilevel governance as a cornerstone of climate implementation. Germany's significant investment in climate and biodiversity projects worldwide, including subnational initiatives, further supports the coalition's efforts to advance global implementation and highlights the importance of tangible climate action in cities like Belém, Brazil.
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Keeping cool on a hotter planet: COP30 pushes for sustainable cooling and AI innovation
AI is being utilized to aid farmers in predicting droughts and managing crops efficiently, but concerns arise regarding the environmental cost of training large models and running data centers. Cooling is identified as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with sustainable alternatives gaining momentum. Initiatives like the Technology Implementation Programme at COP30 and the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive are working to promote sustainable solutions and bridge gaps in finance, policy, and delivery for vulnerable communities. Researcher Alisa Luangrath's AI-powered irrigation system in Lao People's Democratic Republic won the UNFCCC "AI for Climate Action" Award, integrating soil moisture sensors, groundwater monitors, and meteorological data to assist farmers in planning planting and irrigation cycles more efficiently. However, the environmental footprint of AI, including data centers, is a growing concern, with potential strain on water resources as countries like Brazil race to attract data centers.