Brazil updates its NDC again, with 2030 emission target higher than in 2015

Brazil has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), confirming its commitment to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to environmental groups, the updated NDC is less ambitious than the 2015 version and could infringe the Paris Agreement, since the 2005 emission level has been revised upward. Under the 2015 NDC, Brazil committed to cut 2005 emissions (2.1 GtCO₂eq) by 43% by 2030, i.e. to 1.2 GtCO₂eq; in the 2020 update, the 43% reduction target was kept but the 2005 level was raised to 2.8 GtCO₂eq, leading to a higher 2030 emission target (1.6 GtCO₂eq). The 2022 update revises the 2005 level downward (to 2.6 GtCO₂eq) and the 50% cut goal should reduce GHG emissions to 1.3 GtCO₂eq in 2030, i.e., more than in the 2015 NDC.