The agricultural sector opened 86,200 jobs from January to July this year, according to an analysis by the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA) based on data from the Cadastro Geral de Empregados e Desempregados (Caged). According to CNA, these vacancies were opened mainly in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, and Bahia.
The Brazilian government has zero-rated import tax on more than a dozen solar power generation equipment, a move that follows the elimination of tariffs on other components of the sector announced in July. The exemption is expected to reduce short term costs for the installation of solar enterprises in Brazil. The zero rate is valid until December 2021 for equipment, added to the list of so-called “ex-tariffs.
The Atlantic Forest is one of the richest in species diversity and also one of the most threatened on the planet. In the period between 2018 and 2019, 71% of deforestation in the Atlantic Forest occurred in less than 3% of the municipalities in the biome (3,429). In total, about 400 cities deforested the native forest in that period. The champion municipality for deforestation between 2018 and 2019 was Manoel Emídio (PI), with 879 hectares.
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) is studying a model for the concession of forests in the Amazon to the private sector. The objective of the institution is to arrive at a model that provides for the development of the region with environmental preservation. A bridge of opportunity with the concession of forests would be the creation of carbon credits.
Hydroelectric power generation grew 12.9% in the first half of August compared to the same period last year. The source showed average generation of 42,405 MW, compared to 37,568 MW in 2019. Wind power and photovoltaic plants grew by 6.5% and 26.9% respectively in the period between 01 and 15/08, compared to the same period in 2019.
Pressure from the private sector has made the federal government change its approach to the environmental issue, says Suzano’s president, Walter Schalka. “The numbers are clear: deforestation has increased in 2019 and 2020 and we need to go back to pre-2012 levels. This will generate credibility to Brazil and a high volume of investments”. In the Schalka’s perspective, carbon credits should bring $10 bn every year to the economy.
BYD announced the beginning of operations of its iron-lithium phosphate battery plant, located in the Manaus Industrial Complex (PIM), in Amazonas. The plant has a production capacity of up to 1,000 batteries per year. The initial quantity of 272 units are projected to be delivered by November. The Company has invested R$15 million ($2.7 mm) in the new plant, which will initially serve the assembly of electric buses.
$1.8 mm were invested on the launch of the brand Viva, including on researches, property certification and brand construction, according to Marfrig. The new carbon neutral bovine meat line, initially will be distributed only in Brazil. The initiative was developed in partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (Embrapa), said the company.
The government of Minas Gerais, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Attorney General’s Office, have petitioned the courts to block up to R$26.68 billion ($4.7 bn) in Vale’s accounts for socioeconomic damages caused by the deadly rupture of a company dam in Brumadinho in 2019.
The three major private banks in Brazil, Itaú Unibanco, Bradesco and Santander announced the establishment of the Amazon advisory board and have already selected its seven members. According to a statement, sustainability experts from the three financial institutions have already formed a working group, which has met regularly to propose concrete initiatives and actions for the Amazon region.
