INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC CLIMATE POLICIES

The document analyzes the Brazilian transportation sector's shift toward low-carbon pathways, focusing on two key policies: the National Plan on Logistics and Transport (PNLT) and the Pro-Transport programme. While these policies were primarily designed for economic competitiveness and urban mobility rather than climate change, they offer significant greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation co-benefits. The author argues that while national-level logistics infrastructure is easier to fund due to its impact on economic competitiveness, local-level public transport funding remains a challenge. The paper suggests that international cooperation, including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and UNFCCC frameworks, could catalyze these efforts, particularly in electrifying rail and improving urban transit.

• The Brazilian transportation sector is heavily reliant on road transport, which accounted for 58% of freight transportation in 2005 (measured in t/km).
• The National Plan on Logistics and Transport (PNLT) aims to shift the freight modal split toward more energy-efficient railways and waterways to improve economic competitiveness and reduce emissions.
• The Pro-Transport programme provides an alternative funding channel for urban public passenger transportation infrastructure, prioritizing low-income classes, using resources from the Government Severance Indemnity Fund for Employees (FGTS).
• A study by the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) indicates that 'recent policy' scenarios in Brazil's transport sector could reduce 2020 GHG emissions by 18% (44 MMTCO2) compared to the 'business as usual' scenario.
• Funding for national logistics infrastructure is more readily mobilized than funding for local urban transport because the former is tied to national economic competitiveness.
• The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has had limited impact on the transportation sector due to the difficulty of proving 'additionality' for modal shift projects.
• Brazil's high share of hydroelectricity (88.7% in 2007) means that electrifying the transport sector, such as through long-distance passenger rail, would significantly mitigate GHG emissions.
• The Curitiba public transportation system serves as a best-practice example, with estimates suggesting it reduces fuel consumption by 25-30% compared to eight other Brazilian cities.

APA

Machado-Filho, H. (2008). INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC CLIMATE POLICIES. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/machado-filho-251108-final.pdf

Chicago

Machado-Filho, Haroldo. INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC CLIMATE POLICIES. Climate Strategies, 2008. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/machado-filho-251108-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Machado-Filho |first1=Haroldo |title=INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC CLIMATE POLICIES |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=25 November 2008 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/machado-filho-251108-final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{machadofilho2008international, author = {Machado-Filho, Haroldo}, title = {{INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC CLIMATE POLICIES}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2008}, month = nov, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/machado-filho-251108-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }