![]() Chances for a real turnaround in Brazil’s domestic and international climate approach will come only with a change of president in the upcoming elections in October 2022. Greenwashing rhetoric aside, the latest pledges also need to be understood as an attempt to secure profits from financialised conservation mechanisms such as voluntary carbon markets. A closer look at the government’s record and its new pledges reveals that they do not represent a real shift in the country’s climate policy. At first sight, the promises made by the Brazilian government at the Glasgow climate conference seem surprising, as Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency has been marked by increasing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions and reduced climate protection measures. Brazil’s contribution to international climate protection is urgently needed. Yet, the reasons for new pledges do not indicate a changed mindset, but rather an increasing commodification of climate protection that serves economic interests. At the Glasgow COP26 climate conference this November, however, Brazil presented itself as more willing to compromise. Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency has been characterised by a sharp increase in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, support for agribusiness, and the repression of indigenous peoples and environmental activists. With the recent signing of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, Europeans should seek to enforce social and labour rights standards as well as binding and verifiable regulations on agricultural goods linked to deforestation and violations of indigenous rights. Germany and the European Union should start using their economic leverage to side with Brazilian minorities and human right defenders. Brazil is on the edge of becoming an illiberal democracy. Policy Implications Shared Brazilian-German goals are limited to the peaceful re-democratisation of Venezuela and soft balancing China's New Silk Road project. However, the Brazilian government has already transformed itself from an advocate for into a vio-lator of indigenous, LGBT, and other minorities' rights.
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