Brazil: Mr. Figueiredo Machado talks about the negotiations

Posted on 07. Oct, 2009 by Juliana Russar in Brazil

English version below

Hoje conversei com o chefe da delegação brasileira nas negociações de mudanças climáticas da ONU, o Embaixador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado. Além de comandar o trabalho do Brasil aqui, ele é vice-presidente de um dos trilhos das negociações e é responsável pelo grupo que está discutindo a transferência de recursos financeiros dos países desenvolvidos de modo que os países em desenvolvimento possam implementar ações de mitigação e adaptação. Ele falou sobre o papel do Brasil nas negociações, temas de especial interesse para o país, a importância do Protocolo de Quioto para a Convenção de Clima, quais são as expectativas do governo brasileiro em torno de Copenhague e também sobre a contribuição que projetos como o “Adote um negociador” podem dar às negociações. Clique aqui para assistir o vídeo (abaixo segue a transcrição da conversa em inglês).

AAN - Could you introduce yourself and tell us what is happening here in Bangkok?

LAFM - My name is Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado and I’m the head of the Brazilian delegation in these negotiations in Bangkok. This round of negotiations taking place here in Bangkok is a preparatory meeting to the Copenhagen Conference in the end of the year.

What is the role of Brazil in the negotiations and which issues are important to the country?

Brazil has been playing a leadership role in the negotiations for a long time. Last year, Brazil chaired the negotiations. This year, I’m the vice-chair of the Convention track (the negotiation has two tracks: a Kyoto Protocol track and a Convention track). Brazil coordinates the Group of 77 (G-77) in several issues, especially mitigation.

Which issues are important to Brazil?

The important issues to Brazil are mitigation, both to developed countries and developing countries. As a developing country Brazil is very interested in the forests issue – we want a strong REDD system. Adaptation, finance, technology transfer and capacity-building are very important to us too. Finance negotiations are fundamental to all the others because without financing it’s not possible to take mitigation and adaptation actions.

What is the importance of the Kyoto Protocol to the Climate Convention?

The Kyoto Protocol is the son of the Climate Convention. It is conducted by the same rules as the Convention and it was a significant step to establish legally binding emissions reduction commitments for developed countries; their historic emissions are most responsible for climate change. The Kyoto Protocol is an irreplaceable instrument in this moment because it guarantees all the rules related to developed countries emissions reductions and the carbon market.

What do you expect from Copenhagen?

In Copenhagen, Brazil expects a strong outcome commensurate with what science recommends. Science is showing unequivocally the seriousness of climate change and the urgency to act. Therefore, in Copenhagen, we want an outcome that makes it possible to take urgent action to promote deep cuts in developed countries’ emissions and clear actions for developing countries, like Brazil, to reduce the growing rate of their emissions. By doing this, we hope all countries contribute in a fair and adequate way to combat climate change.

What contribution can projects like “Adopt a negotiator” bring to the negotiations?

Projects like the “Adopt a negotiator” are very important because they are related to transparency. One of the most fundamental things in the negotiations process is to have transparency; societies must know what is happening here. They need to be informed about what countries are saying. Too often people read one thing in the newspapers, while inside the meeting room, the negotiator are saying something else. Brazil is in favor of total transparency, it’s our interest that civil society representatives and media can go inside meeting rooms. So projects like “Adopt a negotiator” are essential because of participation and transparency.

Just a “Yes” or “No” question, are you confident in the Copenhagen outcomes?

Yes.

Tags: Adopt a Negotiator, Bangkok, Brazil, climate change, climate negotiations, CoP-15, Copenhagen, head of Brazilian delegation, Kyoto Protocol, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, UNFCCC