The excitement at last year’s COP was palpable, with Lula’s Brazil promising to be a breath of fresh air as a climate champion.
But, as Uncle Ben in Spiderman would say, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Brazil is the winner of today’s Fossil of the Day as they appear to have mistaken oil production for climate leadership. Brazil’s dash for oil undermines the efforts of Brazilian negotiators in Dubai who are trying to break old deadlocks and act with a sense of urgency.
Brazil’s Energy minister, Alexandre Silveira, thought it strangely appropriate to announce membership of Opec+ on day one of the conference. In line with this skewed logic they must be thinking: in for a penny, in for a pound, as they have plans to auction off 603 new oil blocks on December 13, just one day after COP28 ends. This can’t be just a coincidence, right?
According to Agência Pública yesterday, expected emissions from one of the new oil frontiers Brazil wants to open, the Equatorial Margin (which includes blocks at the mouth of the Amazon River) will more than cancel out emission cuts achieved from zero deforestation by 2030. Contrary to what the oil companies tell us, you can’t offset the destruction of an entire ecosystem with one good deed.
Brazil, we don’t want a tour of oil fields when we are in Belém in 2025. And, if you just want to join a club, then may we suggest you follow your next-door neighbour, Colombia by signing up for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty instead of Opec+.
South Africa Dishonorable Mention
A dishonourable mention goes to South Africa due to its recent decision to expand coal mining operations, violating its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Attention South Africa, you are being called to the principal’s office. You keep taking shortcuts which will only lead to dead ends on a dead planet if you prioritise short-term economic gain over long-term environmental stability.
Contradicting your previous pledges not only poses a substantial threat to global efforts in mitigating the climate crisis, it’s a bad example for all the other kids.
It is time to get back on the right path before you end up on top of the Fossil of the Day podium.