Itamaraty could have written the speech of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), they claim to Sheet diplomats who attended the speech of the president-elect in the auditorium of COP27, the UN Climate Conference, this Wednesday (16).
The position, according to Brazilian negotiators, is in perfect alignment with what the Itamaraty has historically defended in environmental conferences.
The demand for rich countries to fulfill promises of climate finance was seen as courageous, as Lula has not yet come to power and could be more comfortable adopting a friendlier stance.
“He can hold the countries accountable because he is committed to doing his homework”, assesses federal deputy Alessandro Molon (PSB/RJ). “It is a speech that shows the arrival of a leader, not only national, but also global, whose voice is heard in other countries, in international forums.”
Congress –especially the Senate– occupied most of the reserved seats in the first rows of the auditorium, even attracting names that do not usually attend climate negotiations.
Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB/AL), who arrived two days ago for his first Climate COP, told the Sheet that Lula’s presence motivated his trip.
Parliamentarians who already follow the climate agenda also saw an important meaning in the president-elect’s message. “Lula is a political sensation at a conference that has, this year, very technical negotiations”, evaluates senator Kátia Abreu (PP/TO).
For senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede/AP), the main message was already being advanced. “The country that was exiled at the last climate conferences has arrived today to say it is back,” he said.
Among the international audience, an affirmation of the speech in which Lula recognizes the importance of the Amazon for the planet, saying that there is no climate security without the Amazon, had a strong impact.
An American observer of the negotiations stated that this recognition mutually helps the positions of Brazil and the world.
On the one hand, the country places itself as an international leader by assuming a vital role for the planet. On the other hand, the world manages to negotiate the implementation of the climate agreement as long as Brazil is on board and, therefore, that there are chances of mitigating the climate crisis.
Investors of funds linked to socio-environmental criteria also followed, from a distance, the pronouncement of the president-elect.
“We welcome the spotlight on strengthening the oversight bodies and monitoring systems that have been dismantled over the last four years,” said Arild Skedsmo, senior analyst at Norway’s largest pension fund, KLP, which manages $100 worth of assets. 80 billion.
“As Lula mentioned, here in Norway we had an immediate positive reaction to Lula’s victory. Resources had been frozen as a result of President Bolsonaro’s negative actions that drove deforestation to record levels,” he added.
Brazilians filled the main auditorium, where Lula passed, and even filled two other spaces where the speech was broadcast. Even without fulfilling the expectations of announcing ministers for ministries such as the Environment and Native Peoples, the speech caused emotional reactions.
Before leaving the plenary to return to the hotel, Lula hugged supporters – including Chico Mendes’ daughter, environmentalist Angela Mendes.
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