Buenos Aires, December 10th, 2004- Today Brazil and China will each announce their “Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC”. The information has already been released in Brasilia and Beijing. In both countries the communication was done at the Ministerial level showing the importance that Climate Change has taken in the national agenda of both countries. It is the first greenhouse gas emission report that either country has released since their signing UNFCCC ten years ago. The report only covers the data for the years up until 1994.

Nevertheless, the announcement sends an important political message: first, that Brazil and China are working together strategically on the fulfillment of their commitments under the UNFCCC; second, that they recognize their role as two of the biggest emitters from the developing world, and at the same time their vulnerability. Now it’s time for real implementation of concrete measures to address this challenge.

The Chinese report states that mainland China emitted 3.6 billion tones of carbon dioxide equivalent in 1994, of which 76.5% are from energy activities, and agricultural activities and waste treatment account for 23.5%. Within the past 10 years, China’s economy has had an average growth of 8% annually. Even with a decrease from 75% in 1994 to 67% in 2003, coal still accounts for the majority of Chinese energy generation, which causes both very severe air pollution and climate change.

“In China, the western part of the country is the poorest and most vulnerable to climate change. The emissions related to economic growth will increase the suffering of the people in the west from desertification, floods, and glaciers melting. So, any reduction on emissions in China will not only contribute globally but also will have an effect domestically” said Yu Jie, Climate Change campaigner from Greenpeace China attending COP10 in Buenos Aires. “Strong development of renewable energy and energy efficiency should be a major priority for the Chinese Government” added Yu Jie.

The Brazilian data shows that in 1990 total CO2 emissions were estimated at 979 million tons. In 1994, total CO2 emissions were estimated at 1,03 billion tons. 75% of this total comes from forest conversion (land use change and forestry) while 23% comes from fossil fuels (energy production, transformation and consumption). The data confirms the historical inability of the Brazilian government to address forest destruction.

“If the Brazilian government is really serious about its commitment to address climate change and support a sustainable development, it needs to move on from making speeches into taking concrete actions, showing strong political will and a sense of urgency on implementation,” said Marcelo Furtado, representing Greenpeace Brazil at COP 10 in Buenos Aires. “We need to ensure first and foremost the halt of deforestation, and the development of a national climate change policy, vulnerability studies, and more incentives for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency,” added Furtado.

Recent data indicates that the deforestation in the Amazon has gotten worse. In the period between August-2003 and August-2004, over 23.000 km2 were destroyed. According to the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) 47% of the deforestation happened in the state of Mato Grosso largely due to forest conversion to agricultural use (mainly soya). Forest fires increased by 19% during the period, and 60% of that increase took place in Mato Grosso.
“It’s clear that addressing land occupation and use in the Amazon is the fastest way for Brazil to address climate change” said Paulo Adario, Amazon campaign co-ordinator for Greenpeace Brazil. “If the country wants to take a leadership role in the climate debate, it needs to start doing its own homework, bravely facing the causes of forest destruction such as uncontrolled expansion of agribusiness and large infra-structure projects,” added Adario.

More Information:

Natalia Trucchi, Greenpeace Press Officer at COP 10 +54-911-40315222
Marcelo Furtado, Greenpeace Brazil in Buenos Aires +54-911-53858877
Yu Jie, Greenpeace China in Buenos Aires +54-911- 45389029
- Cristina Bodas, press officer in Sao Paulo: +55-11-8245-2268
- Tica Minami, press officer in Manaus: +55-92-9995-2070
- Paulo Adário, Amazon campaign coordinador in Manaus, Brazil: +55-92-8115-8928

Brazilian Initial National Communication available at:
http://www.mct.gov.br/clima/ingles/comunic/textocomunac.htm

Chinese Initial National Communication available at:
http://www.ccchina.gov.cn/english