Marcelo Lyra, Vice President of Communications, Institutional Relations and ESG at Acelen, shows that Brazil can be a “green economy hub”. André Valente, Sustainability Leader at Raízen, and Ligia Sato, Sustainability Manager at Latam, also took part in the panel.
During a panel held at the CNI stand on Tuesday (5) at COP28 in Dubai, Acelen’s Vice President of Communications, Institutional Relations and ESG began his presentation with figures from a McKinsey study showing the financial dimension of Brazil’s leadership in the world’s energy transition. According to the data, Brazil has opportunities of U$30 billion in renewable energies by 2040, U$60 billion in power-based energy and U$35 billion in the carbon market. “It seems that Brazil has huge potential to become a very important player in the world’s energy transition.”
Lyra points out that the financial potential related to renewable fuels in Brazil is U$40 billion by 2040. “We are moving away from the oil option towards multiple alternatives. In addition to the economic motivation, we have the environmental emergency, the survival of the planet.”
Lyra said that Acelen has already announced investments of more than US$ 2.5 billion focused mainly on the production of renewable fuels: SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and renewable diesel.
Lyra also explained that there are a number of potential energy transition alternatives in the country. “Brazil can change 47% of its electricity by including solar and wind energy and can produce one of the cheapest green hydrogens in the world, not to mention the growth of sugar and alcohol in the country.”
André Valente, Raízen’s Sustainability Leader, points out that Brazil has unparalleled features and is where many countries would like to be in terms of renewable energy and electricity matrix. “We have access to land, raw materials, efficient processes, traceability, active logistics and affordable production costs.” Valente mentioned second-generation ethanol as an example. Regarding the country’s role, he explains that Brazil is a green power that will help the world. “We have the duty to build a global consensus on this.”
Lígia Sato commented that Latam has an ESG strategy aligned with the UN’s objectives based on three pillars: climate change, circular economy and shared value. “Aviation accounts for 2% of carbon emissions. We have established the commitment to have carbon-neutral growth, reduce and offset 50% of our domestic emissions by 2030, be net zero by 2050 and use 5% of SAF by 2030 in our operations.”