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Brazil joins nearly 100 countries in a pledge to triple renewable energy by 2030, moving away from coal dependency.

Brazil has officially joined a global agreement to significantly increase renewable energy use, aiming to triple it by 2030 while reducing reliance on coal. This move, announced by the country's Foreign Ministry on Friday, aligns Brazil with an ambitious deal backed by major global players, including the European Union, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

As South America's largest country, Brazil's commitment adds substantial weight to the pledge, now supported by approximately 100 countries, according to a European official familiar with the negotiations.

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This pivotal agreement, titled the "Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Targets Pledge," is expected to be formally adopted during the upcoming United Nation's COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai, sources told Reuters earlier this month. The Brazilian embassy in Abu Dhabi conveyed Brazil's decision to join the pact in a letter to the UAE's Foreign Ministry, a move confirmed by a spokesperson for Brazil's Foreign Ministry.

Brazil is already a significant contributor to renewable energy, with over 80% of its electricity derived from renewable sources, primarily hydropower, supplemented by rapidly expanding solar and wind energy sectors.

However, a spokesperson from Brazil's Foreign Ministry acknowledged that while Brazil supports the global initiative to triple renewable energy, achieving such an increase domestically is not feasible due to the country's already high renewable energy usage. "Brazil won't be able to triple its own renewable energy because it's already very high, but Brazil is once again reinforcing its support for renewables," he stated.

The draft of the renewable energy pledge, reviewed by Reuters, includes a commitment to "the phase down of unabated coal power." This aspect of the agreement aims to end financing for new coal-fired power plants, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In Brazil, coal accounts for just over 1% of the country's electricity, according to official statistics.

Additionally, the pledge includes a commitment to double the global annual rate of improving energy efficiency, targeting a 4% improvement per year until 2030.

Brazil's participation in this global pledge marks a significant step in the country's ongoing efforts to champion renewable energy and contributes to a broader international push towards sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. This commitment, set against the backdrop of the COP28 negotiations, highlights the growing consensus among nations to address the challenges posed by climate change through collective and decisive action.

Samira is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, but deep inside, her heart is a nomad! She's a state champion debater, a public speaker, a scriptwriter, a theater actress, but most importantly — A GREEN CITIZEN! She thinks of herself as a storyteller who thrives on enjoying the life at fullest and telling everyone the tales of life.

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