China and Brazil Enhance Collaborative Efforts on Sustainable Development
In December 2023, Brazil officially took on the one-year presidency of the G20, adopting the motto "Building a just world and a sustainable planet." This initiative reflects the shared commitment of Brazil and China to promote sustainable development and support global endeavors aimed at achieving low-carbon transformation.
TroibNews 
In December 2023, Brazil began its one-year presidency of the G20 with the theme "Building a just world and a sustainable planet." This initiative aligns with the mutual commitment of Brazil and China to promote sustainable development and support global efforts directed at low-carbon transformation.
In recent years, both countries have enhanced collaboration across a range of sectors, including renewable energy, space technology, and sustainable agriculture, focusing on advancing environmental and economic sustainability.
**Green Opportunities for Local Communities**
In the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, the Gameleiras wind farm supplies essential renewable energy to Joao Camara, a city challenged by arid conditions. Launched in 2021, this was the first greenfield wind project undertaken by the Brazilian branch of the Chinese State Grid Corporation. The facility produces 360 million kilowatt-hours each year, leading to a reduction of 358,900 tonnes of CO2 emissions and the creation of over 2,000 jobs in the local area.
Another collaboration between China and Brazil is the 180-megawatt wind project in Tanque Novo, located in Bahia, northeast Brazil. Developed by CGN Brazil Energy, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation, this project has been operational since 2023. Comprising 40 turbines manufactured in China, it generates 720 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, supplying power to 430,000 households and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 650,000 tonnes annually.
Andre Martini, chief development officer at CGN Brazil Energy, emphasized the partnership's advantages, noting its ability to harness Brazil's wind resources while creating jobs and generating tax revenue. This collaboration also introduced advanced Chinese technologies and competitive products to the Brazilian market, fostering mutual benefits.
According to Luis Antonio Paulino, a professor at Sao Paulo State University, this renewable energy partnership is crucial for Brazil in establishing a more balanced electricity supply network with significant implications for sustainable development worldwide.
**Protecting the Environment from Space**
In addition to energy, China and Brazil have cultivated a strong partnership in the space sector for 36 years, beginning with the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program in 1988. Six satellites have been developed, with CBERS-4 and CBERS-4A being instrumental in water management, urban planning, and disaster monitoring in Brazil. Clezio Marcos de Nardin, director of the National Institute for Space Research of Brazil, noted that these satellites played a vital role during the heavy rains and floods in Rio Grande Do Sul in April, providing essential data for damage assessment and recovery efforts.
Furthermore, this cooperation has aided in monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, a critical environmental issue for both Brazil and the global community, by supplying crucial data for conservation initiatives. "In other words, this partnership helps the Brazilian government make informed decisions, and therefore, cooperation between the two countries in the satellite field is instrumental in safeguarding the planet we all share," he remarked.
In April 2023, China and Brazil advanced their space collaboration by signing two key documents: a supplementary protocol for developing CBERS-6 and a 2023–2032 space cooperation plan between the China National Space Administration and the Brazilian Space Agency. These agreements aim to expedite the development of CBERS-6, advance studies on CBERS-5, and broaden cooperation in lunar and deep space exploration.
Luciana Santos, Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, expressed confidence that the new synthetic aperture radar on the CBERS-6 satellite will enhance monitoring capabilities, allowing for more precise alerts and data in all weather conditions. The satellite will monitor fires, water resources, natural disasters, urban growth, and land use, with an emphasis on safeguarding Brazil's ecosystems, particularly the Amazon. "The CBERS program is crucial in curbing deforestation in the Amazon," she stated. "China-Brazil scientific and technological cooperation not only benefits the development of both countries but also brings global benefits."
**Sustainable Agriculture**
China and Brazil are also deepening their collaboration in sustainable agriculture. One example includes promoting deforestation- and conversion-free soybeans, which are cultivated without harming forests or natural vegetation. COFCO Corporation, a leading Chinese food trader, has been at the forefront of this initiative.
Since 2019, COFCO has conducted land monitoring on several Brazilian farms, assessing risks and establishing a "soybean traceability system" based on supplier-provided information. The firm has also provided training to local farmers to help ensure that their soybean production does not contribute to deforestation.
Local farmers collaborating with COFCO are aligned with the company's sustainability commitment, evident in their farming practices and long-term relationship with the corporation. Jack Hurd, executive director of the Tropical Forest Alliance of the World Economic Forum, emphasized the significant role of the Chinese market in global agricultural trade and its potential to drive the green transformation of the agricultural value chain. He observed that sustainable consumption and the high-quality development of the food and agriculture sector are essential trends, expressing hope that more companies will participate in similar initiatives.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
In recent years, both countries have enhanced collaboration across a range of sectors, including renewable energy, space technology, and sustainable agriculture, focusing on advancing environmental and economic sustainability.
**Green Opportunities for Local Communities**
In the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, the Gameleiras wind farm supplies essential renewable energy to Joao Camara, a city challenged by arid conditions. Launched in 2021, this was the first greenfield wind project undertaken by the Brazilian branch of the Chinese State Grid Corporation. The facility produces 360 million kilowatt-hours each year, leading to a reduction of 358,900 tonnes of CO2 emissions and the creation of over 2,000 jobs in the local area.
Another collaboration between China and Brazil is the 180-megawatt wind project in Tanque Novo, located in Bahia, northeast Brazil. Developed by CGN Brazil Energy, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation, this project has been operational since 2023. Comprising 40 turbines manufactured in China, it generates 720 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, supplying power to 430,000 households and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 650,000 tonnes annually.
Andre Martini, chief development officer at CGN Brazil Energy, emphasized the partnership's advantages, noting its ability to harness Brazil's wind resources while creating jobs and generating tax revenue. This collaboration also introduced advanced Chinese technologies and competitive products to the Brazilian market, fostering mutual benefits.
According to Luis Antonio Paulino, a professor at Sao Paulo State University, this renewable energy partnership is crucial for Brazil in establishing a more balanced electricity supply network with significant implications for sustainable development worldwide.
**Protecting the Environment from Space**
In addition to energy, China and Brazil have cultivated a strong partnership in the space sector for 36 years, beginning with the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program in 1988. Six satellites have been developed, with CBERS-4 and CBERS-4A being instrumental in water management, urban planning, and disaster monitoring in Brazil. Clezio Marcos de Nardin, director of the National Institute for Space Research of Brazil, noted that these satellites played a vital role during the heavy rains and floods in Rio Grande Do Sul in April, providing essential data for damage assessment and recovery efforts.
Furthermore, this cooperation has aided in monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, a critical environmental issue for both Brazil and the global community, by supplying crucial data for conservation initiatives. "In other words, this partnership helps the Brazilian government make informed decisions, and therefore, cooperation between the two countries in the satellite field is instrumental in safeguarding the planet we all share," he remarked.
In April 2023, China and Brazil advanced their space collaboration by signing two key documents: a supplementary protocol for developing CBERS-6 and a 2023–2032 space cooperation plan between the China National Space Administration and the Brazilian Space Agency. These agreements aim to expedite the development of CBERS-6, advance studies on CBERS-5, and broaden cooperation in lunar and deep space exploration.
Luciana Santos, Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, expressed confidence that the new synthetic aperture radar on the CBERS-6 satellite will enhance monitoring capabilities, allowing for more precise alerts and data in all weather conditions. The satellite will monitor fires, water resources, natural disasters, urban growth, and land use, with an emphasis on safeguarding Brazil's ecosystems, particularly the Amazon. "The CBERS program is crucial in curbing deforestation in the Amazon," she stated. "China-Brazil scientific and technological cooperation not only benefits the development of both countries but also brings global benefits."
**Sustainable Agriculture**
China and Brazil are also deepening their collaboration in sustainable agriculture. One example includes promoting deforestation- and conversion-free soybeans, which are cultivated without harming forests or natural vegetation. COFCO Corporation, a leading Chinese food trader, has been at the forefront of this initiative.
Since 2019, COFCO has conducted land monitoring on several Brazilian farms, assessing risks and establishing a "soybean traceability system" based on supplier-provided information. The firm has also provided training to local farmers to help ensure that their soybean production does not contribute to deforestation.
Local farmers collaborating with COFCO are aligned with the company's sustainability commitment, evident in their farming practices and long-term relationship with the corporation. Jack Hurd, executive director of the Tropical Forest Alliance of the World Economic Forum, emphasized the significant role of the Chinese market in global agricultural trade and its potential to drive the green transformation of the agricultural value chain. He observed that sustainable consumption and the high-quality development of the food and agriculture sector are essential trends, expressing hope that more companies will participate in similar initiatives.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
