The effects of global warming and the need to develop goals for the decarbonization of the planet have led Brazilian governors and mayors to mobilize in the search for sustainable solutions, aiming at the future of new generations. In São Paulo, one of the alternatives found was the commitment to Race to zero, a United Nations movement to combat climate effects and help countries achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreement.
In order to meet these demands, the São Paulo government launched the São Paulo State Climate Action Plan “Net Zero 2050”, aiming to achieve neutrality of greenhouse gas emissions in São Paulo municipalities by 2050. The project was presented on July 28 of this year and includes a series of strategies to mobilize investments in the renewable energy sector, with a focus on promoting solar power generation.
In total, the program will be based on five axes: accelerated electrification, advanced fuels, systemic efficiency, resilience and nature-based solutions, and green finance and innovation. Total investment will be 5% of São Paulo’s GDP by 2050.
In an interview with Canal Solar, Eduardo Trani, state undersecretary for the Environment, explains that the plan also foresees establishing new solutions for renewables, aiming to meet goals such as: restoration and preservation of forests, pollution control and guarantee of better air quality, valorization of sustainable transport and guarantee of greater water security.
Canal Solar: How was the process of creating the Climate Action Plan for the State of São Paulo?
Eduardo Trani: At the beginning of the year, Governor João Doria (PSDB) showed sensitivity to the idea that we could present him with the possibility of joining global campaigns, such as “Race to Zero”. With our international relations, especially with the United Kingdom, we were encouraged to take on this challenge. Today, we are the only state in the country that has joined the movement by creating a decree.
How does the State intend to implement the new plan? Is there already a pre-established schedule?
The São Paulo State Climate Action Plan is divided into five guidelines and five lines of action. We will draw up an action plan by June of next year and another adaptation plan by the end of 2022. In addition, we will have targets for different periods: first for 2030, then for 2040 and, finally, for 2050.
Because of this, we decided to offer society a base text, which is under public consultation until September 31st, through which society can help us with contributions. We are currently holding several sectoral discussions with professionals from agribusiness, agriculture, commerce, transportation, and many others. These discussions will be important for us to improve the guidelines document.
In other words, at this moment, the Climate Action Plan is not yet ready. Correct?
Exactly. Let's do this jointly with the whole of society and with all sectors. We will include all contributions in this consultation process. The first phase ends in September so we can finalize the guidelines. Then comes the second phase, from December to March, where we will deepen the investment goals and financing mechanisms.
Does the Plan have energy transition policies aimed at the solar energy sector?
In the climate action plan, the weight and importance of solar energy will be quite relevant. We are still planning how the energy and economic transition will be carried out. The fact is that we need to create a state with a greater composition of electricity based on renewables and to achieve this, large sectors will need to be worked on.
In addition to biofuels, we will focus on solar photovoltaic sources, sugarcane biomass and biogas. These are areas that we are already encouraging. The solar photovoltaic generation capacity in the state is enormous and we are looking at this component very closely. We must invest more and more in technologies and innovation in this area.
One of the actions we are going to take is to support, through our universities, lines of research in the areas of renewable energy (including solar), because we will only be globally competitive if we have better conditions and more affordable prices.
