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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Brazil

Brazil, home to the Amazon Rainforest and immense biodiversity, faces significant climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and increasing natural disaster risks. While recent policy improvements and reduced deforestation offer some hope, the country's climate action remains insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals. Environmental challenges are compounded by urbanization, industrial pollution, and uneven access to clean water, though Brazil maintains a medium global sustainability ranking and continues to develop its environmental policies.

Air Quality Index

Good

7.0/10

Stable trend

Brazil's air quality varies by region, with urban areas facing higher pollution due to traffic and industry. National monitoring exists, but comprehensive public AQI data is limited. The trend is stable, with no major recent deterioration or improvement reported.

Water Quality

Good

7.0/10

Access to clean drinking water is generally good in urban areas, but rural regions face challenges. Water pollution stems from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and inadequate sanitation. Government monitoring is present but unevenly enforced.

Urban areas generally meet standards; rural access and quality are inconsistent.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure in Brazil is developing, with collection systems in major cities but limited in rural areas. Informal waste pickers play a significant role. National recycling rates and types are not consistently reported.

Green Spaces

Brazil boasts extensive forest coverage, including the Amazon, but faces ongoing deforestation pressures. Protected areas and national parks are numerous, but enforcement challenges persist. Forest coverage is approximately 59.4% of the country's land area.

Forest Coverage: 59.4%

National Parks: 73

Brazil has over 2,000 protected areas, including national parks, biological reserves, and indigenous lands, covering about 26% of its territory.

Environmental Policies

Brazil has a mixed record on environmental policy. Recent years saw improved climate targets, reduced Amazon deforestation, and new adaptation plans. However, implementation and enforcement remain inconsistent, and fossil fuel expansion continues. Brazil is party to the Paris Agreement and is preparing updated NDCs for 2035.

Key Policies:

•National Policy on Climate Change (PNMC)
•National Adaptation Plan
•Amazon Fund

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy, mainly hydropower, dominates the electricity mix, but targets for wind and solar are expanding.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Brazil faces high natural disaster risks, primarily floods, droughts, and storms, which have increased dramatically in frequency and severity due to climate change. From 1991 to 2023, climate-related disasters rose by 460%, with over 4,000 events recorded annually in recent years. These events affect millions and cause billions in damages, exacerbated by budget cuts in disaster management.

floodsdroughtsstormswildfires

Climate Change Impacts: Each 0.1°C rise in global temperature leads to 360 new climate disaster records in Brazil, with economic losses of R$5.6 billion per 0.1°C. The 2020s have seen record heatwaves, with temperatures in some cities exceeding 38°C, made far more likely by climate change. Droughts have intensified, leading to water shortages and wildfires across biomes.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Brazil's electricity matrix is dominated by renewables, especially hydropower. Recent policy aims to expand wind and solar capacity, with stakeholder participation in national climate plans.

Deforestation Reduction

Stronger enforcement and policy changes under the current administration have led to a notable reduction in Amazon deforestation rates in 2023, though challenges remain.

Climate Adaptation

Brazil is developing a National Adaptation Plan and sectoral strategies to address climate risks, supported by new legislation and stakeholder engagement.

Wildlife & Nature

Jaguar (Panthera onca)Near Threatened

Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)Endangered

Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)Endangered

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