Post
Discussing CO2 emissions and (re)thinking transportation
Only 27 companies account for 8,5% of Brazilians GHG emissions. This surprising data has been released during the launching of “Empresas pelo Clima”, an initiative of Sustainability Studies Centre of Fundação Getulio Vargas – one of the most renowned Brazilian business schools, yesterday (8) in Sao Paulo. These companies emited 85,2 million tons of CO2 in 2008.
Photo: (CES/FGV)
The largest single contributor for the greenhouse effect in Brazil is oil state company Petrobras, with 51 million tons of CO2. Due to the discovery of new oil submarine reserves, Petrobras will probably increase its share in this (bad) cake. To read the complete report, click here.
When we take a further look at the figures, we notice that most emissions are provenient from the transportation industry. According to Mr. Fábio Feldmann, Sao Paulo State Secretary of Climate Change Forum, cars are responsible for more than half of emissions of CO2.
Feldmann gives an alarming information about transport logistics in Brazil: 60% of trucks circulate with an empty load in Sao Paulo metropolitan area. So, almost two thirds of these trips are not properly used. Besides the environmental damages, there is a situation that makes the goods’ prices higher.
The initiative of FGV/CES wants to be a platform to create regulatory marks to help companies to have an easier adaptation to climate changes. Eleven of 27 companies from GHG program are in this platform.
Finally, two conclusions about this program. As in the United States, companies and society in Brazil are making pressure on Government to fight against the global warming. Second, the economic perception in the companies about the need of a transition to “low carbon economy” is critical.
Comments
Interesting, and somehow very relevant, to break down the emissions per company.
Do you (or anyone else) know about similar numbers for other countries?
Hello Daniel. Thanks for commenting.
It´s reallly interesting to monitorate emissions per company in diferent countries.
Mission of Brazilian GHG Protocol is make this accountability.
It´s scaring think that Petrobras emited 5% of Brazil emissions in 2008. And this share will increase with “pre-salt” reserves discovery.
But, most important information in this piece is: 60% of trucks circulate with an empty load in Sao Paulo metropolitan area.
For me, three keys to combat global warming are: improve transport efficiency, rediscuss urbanization models and improve housing standards (e.g LEED)
Best,
Charlie
I agree about the keys to combat global warming.
In deed, the numbers are scaring, but it is anyway uplifting that the responsible company is pointed out. Knowing this I think we can move forward more efficient.
It would be interesting to see which companies emit most CO2 globally, instead of counting national emissions. Maybe this could be a way to make globalized companies responsible for emissions by their subcontractors in developing countries?
You are right. Only having good ways to measure emissions we can combat GHG.
And I also agree about making pressure on multinational companies to account its emissions in developing countries.
In Brazil, biggest companies - exception is Petrobras - are not based here. Their GHG should account on its origin nations? A huge discussion…
Best,
Charlie
Yes, a huge discussion. Maybe the most important initially is not the exact numbers, but that the developed world acknowledge its responsibility for business carried out in the developing world.
Greetings,
Daniel
I think companies in general have a historical debt when it comes about sustainability. I also think they have the obligation to do something in order to fix it. But the biggest problem, in my opinion, is the personal sustainability. If 6 billion people in the world did something to preserve the environment, we wouldn’t discussing climate change now.
Regards!
Do you know if this concentration of the problem (8,5% of emissions from 27 companies) is similar to the one that is seen in other countries? Are we better or worse than other emerging countries? And compared to the so-called industrial countries we are…
I can ask mates from other countries if they can obtain this data. So, we can compare if 5% of Petrobras emissions on Brazil account are scaring actually
Best,
Charlie
You could use our French TGV.
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