A relatively young city, Brazil’s capital Brasilia is playing to its strengths and building a low-carbon transport sector to support citizens and cut emissions.
Set within the country’s green highlands, and with high levels of inequality and a dependence on hydropower Brazil’s young capital, Brasilia, is extremely vulnerable to climate hazards, including drought, forest fires and rainstorms.
In the wake of these risks and in a bid to drive progress, Brasilia is in the process of developing a new strategy for climate adaptation and mitigation. Central to this, is the city’s climate target to reduce emissions 40% by 2020 (on 2005 levels) – in line with Brazil’s national target of 37% emissions reductions by 2025.
On top of this, the city is also internalising the country’s target to reduce emissions from deforestation by 40% by 2020, with ambitious aims to reduce forest destruction in the city’s surrounding area and to improve its natural carbon sinks.
Greening the transport sector
Known for its modern urban planning and artistic architecture, Brasilia is using these strengths to respond to the threat of climate change in the heart of the city; the transport sector.
By 2020, all buses within the city will be run entirely on renewable energy, and five extra subway stations will further reduce the city’s dependence on cars.
The low carbon transition has quickly been identified as a way to attracted increased public and private funding into Brasilia, especially in the transport sector as well as renewable energy, with the city is currently seeking investors for its new Brasilia Solar Program.
Such moves will bring significant social benefits for Brasilia’s citizens, while also bring economic opportunities to the city.
Updated September 2017.