Brazil has a population of over 209 million people and a GDP of 1.8 trillion US Dollars (World Bank 2018). Brazil is one of the world’s biggest democracies and has a very active participation in multilateral organizations, as well as a major influence in negotiations related to development and the environment. The country hosted the first United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, also known as the Rio Conference. Brazil also hosted the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in 2012, also known as the Rio+20 Conference.

Brazil's development targets

Brazil produced a document in 2014 called "Guiding Elements of the Brazilian Position", addressing the country’s initial deliberations on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. National coordination led to the creation by Presidential Decree in 2016 of the National Commission for the Sustainable Development Goals (CNODS), a collegial body for the domestic monitoring of the 2030 agenda. The Commission launched its Action Plan 2017-2019 in 2017 in order to adapt the global SDGs to the national context, and Brazil presented its first Voluntary National Review on the SDGs to the United Nations in the same year. The Brazilian Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) have been carrying out studies to adapt the global SDGs to the local environment. Currently, the Special Secretariat for Social Articulation, linked to the Brazilian Presidency, is responsible for the national governance of the 2030 Agenda.

The current Union’s Multiannual Plan (PPA), in effect from 2020 until 2023, establishes the national guidelines and objectives of the public administration for capital expenditures. Its 54 programs, 304 objectives and 1.136 goals amount to a total expenditure of US $ 1.5 trillion over the period of four years. Among its main goals are the promotion of the sustainable use of natural resources and the emphasis on sustainable urban development.

The Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan 2019-2029, an informational document released by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), foresees significant changes in the Brazilian energy matrix by 2029. The Plan projects the increase in energy demand in Brazil and the need for up to $ 513.5 billion in investments by 2029 to meet this growth. According to the document, around 77% of the total investments will be absorbed by the oil and gas sector, and about 2% will be used to increase the supply of biofuels. The government studies indicate that the Brazilian internal energy supply will increase 2.9% per year until 2029. Of this amount, renewable sources may reach a 48% share in 2029.