The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, announced this Thursday (1) by President Donald Trump, is bad news for the world. It affects the construction made over decades in favor of the global fight against climate change and multilateralism. However, this decision does not change the facts, nor the historical position of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), its associated companies and its national and international partners.
The science is clear in stating that limiting global warming to 2ºC is the only way to preserve living conditions on the planet.
The world supports the Paris Agreement and 146 countries have already ratified their medium and long-term emissions reduction targets.
Companies are already engaged in the transition to a low-carbon economy. More than 1,000 cutting-edge companies are already taking action on climate change, including in the USA, and have reaffirmed their deep commitment to the Agreement. Large companies have already understood that this is a path of no return and that those who get ahead will be better positioned in the global market.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is good business. Implementation of the Paris Agreement could unlock at least US$ 13.5 trillion in investments over the next 15 years. Only project solutions Low Carbon Technologies Partnership Initiative (LCTPi) could generate 25 to 45 million jobs per year, accounting for 65% of needed emissions reductions worldwide.
The climate agenda has a strong weight in current geopolitics. While the USA is isolating itself, countries from the European Union and China, for example, quickly spoke out repudiating the North American position and stating that they will accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the global transition to clean energy. Brazil has also demonstrated its discontent with the Trump administration's position and, given the great competitive advantages it has in a low-carbon economy, it can occupy a leadership position.
The global networks articulated by World Business Council for Sustainable Development and by We Mean Business, of which CEBDS is representative in Brazil, sought to dissuade the Trump government from this mistaken position. We will remain willing to dialogue.
At the national level, we have already delivered a study to the federal government where we point out the opportunities that we must take advantage of and the challenges that we must overcome to implement the goals that the country has assumed. We will continue to be active and purposeful in all spaces for a sustainable and prosperous world for everyone.
Marina Grossi
President of CEBDS
