The concentration of greenhouse gases broke a record in 2023, according to the United Nations. Carbon dioxide is responsible for around 64% of the climate warming effect.
An alarming situation, according to experts. They state that to stop this situation it is essential to invest in the energy transition with a clean matrix.
“In order for us to reduce this global warming that is occurring on the planet, the fastest and most efficient way is to do what we call an energy transition, where we seek to replace all fossil derivatives that emit an additional load of carbon into the atmosphere with products that will also emit carbon. But this carbon is a carbon that we call renewable. It enters a cycle of reuse”, explains José Magalhães, CEO of Honeywell for Latin America.
This transition can replace sources such as oil and coal with solar, wind and water energy, benefiting the environment.
“Companies and governments have to balance these investments and returns so that progress can be made towards the energy transition while not impacting people’s cost of living”, says José Magalhães.
During COP29, starting on November 11th, in Azerbaijan, specific points of this transition and adaptation to climate change will be discussed.
The new amount of resources transferred from rich countries to developing nations is the uncertainty that most worries experts. The current target of US$100 billion per year between 2020 and 2025 has only been partially met.
“At COP29, we have an important role in thinking that we have reached the point of being able to identify fossil fuels as one of those responsible for the crisis, for the climate emergency that we are experiencing. How can we move forward fairly now?” asks Kátia Fenyves, climate change specialist at IDB Brazil.
Brazil stands out in this sector with an energy matrix that is 84% renewable, while the average for G20 countries is 29%. The highlight in Brazil is solar energy with a production that accounts for 90% of national production, second only to China, the United States and Germany. Furthermore, the country still has wind and water sources.
“Brazil has immense potential to extract renewable energy from the oceans. All of this has to happen on a much larger scale, but, for example, wind and solar energy, it is much cheaper economically speaking. It costs 1/3 of electricity for fossil fuels and it employs many more people. So, it improves society. It is economical, therefore, in the industrial sector, the cost of using energy drops a lot”, says scientist and climatologist Carlos Nobre.
