Strategic Dialogue on Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Investment in Latin America
The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, University of São Paulo, Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro, and Law for a Green Planet Institute co-hosted an environmental summit entitled “Strategic Dialogue on Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Investment in Latin America” as part of the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78).
All over the world, public policies are trying to face the challenge of providing efficient responses to global environmental and socioeconomic challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Possible responses require a multidisciplinary approach.
Aiming to discuss how to bridge the gap between theory and practice in addressing these challenges, particularly in the context of Brazil and Latin America, the summit had two sessions, the first one focusing on what is currently being done by organizations to advance the climate, biodiversity, and sustainable investment agendas, while the second one intended to face the complexity of the themes related to justice and exploit the nexus between climate, criminality, and social inequalities.
Both roundtables were co-chaired by Patrícia Iglecias, Professor, University of São Paulo, and Martina Müller, Programme Manager, Partnerships, UN Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The program featured:
Welcome Remarks
- Patrícia Iglecias, Professor, University of São Paulo; President, Law for a Green Planet Institute; Partner, Wald Law Firm
Opening Speakers
- Michael Gerrard, Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia University, “Climate Litigation in Latin America”
- Paulo Artaxo, Professor, University of São Paulo, “The Carbon Market and Its Role in Protecting Biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest”
- Martin Dietrich Brauch, Lead Researcher, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, Columbia University, “A Comprehensive Climate Policy Toolkit for Less Net and More Zero”
Roundtable 1: Climate and Biodiversity Solutions
- Paula Pereda, Professor, School of Economics, Business and Accounting, University of São Paulo, “Carbon Pricing in Food Systems: Issues and Targets as Support for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement”
- Ediléu Cardoso Junior, CEO, KWP Energia, “The Use of Solar Energy in Water Reservoirs and Its Contribution to the Climate Agenda and Mitigation of CO2 Emissions”
- Julio Romano Meneghini, Professor, Engineering School, University of São Paulo, “Technical Potential Production of Green Hydrogen Using Surplus Electricity from Sugarcane Biorefineries in Brazil”
- Artur Villela Ferreira, CEO, GFB Green Forest Bond Company, “Enhancing the Role and Coverage of Carbon Pricing and Green Bonds”
- Marcus William Oliveira, CEO, Circular Brain, “The Use of Technology for E-Waste Circularity and the Contribution for a A Net-Zero Production”
- Rafael Tello, Head of Sustainability, Ambipar, “The private sector strategies for a circular economy”
Roundtable 2: Climate Justice
- Ana Cristina Limongi França, Professor, School of Economics, Business and Accounting, University of São Paulo, “The Connection Between Education, Quality of Life, Poverty Eradication, and the Climate Agenda”
- Christiano Jorge Santos, Judge, São Paulo Tribunal of Justice; Professor, PUC São Paulo, “Organized Crime: Impacts for the Environment and Human Health”
- Caroline Marques, Lawyer, Wald Law Firm, “Far-Reaching Impacts of Wildlife Trafficking: From Biodiversity Decline to Climate Injustices”
- Camila Valverde, Director of Impact, Global Compact UN Brazil, “Public Policies to Promote Climate Justice in Brazil”
- Maria Antonia Tigre, Senior Fellow, Global Climate Litigation, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia University, “The Status of Climate Litigation in Latin America"
- Gabriel Wedy, Federal Judge; Vice-President, Law for a Green Planet Institute; Environmental Law Professor, Unisinos University, “Climate Justice in Latin America”
The environmental summit connected experts to discuss public policies that can be implemented in Latin America along climate-aligned sustainable development.
A networking coffee break/brunch was sponsored by Wald Law Firm.
