Brazil
- Developing low-carbon urban mobility
- Promoting the energy transition
- Forging partnerships on the SDGs and climate
Developing low-carbon urban mobility
Promoting the energy transition
Forging partnerships on the SDGs and climate
Brazil, a country with continental dimensions, is, with its 207 million inhabitants, the world’s 5th most populous country. It stretches over an area of 8.5 million km², making it the world’s 5th largest country. It borders the Atlantic Ocean in the East and is home to two-thirds of the Amazon Forest and exceptional biodiversity: 14% of all known species are identified there. Its border with France extends over more than 700 km.
Brazil has experienced years of economic development, which have made it the world’s 8th largest economy. This growth is based on a vast domestic market (it has a middle class of some 100 million people) and a diversified economy: the world’s 3rd largest exporter of agricultural products, one of the leading exporters of mining products, a strong industry and modern services. The country is one of the major emerging powers making up the BRICS group.
However, between 2015 and 2017, the economic giant experienced a deep recession, which it is only just beginning to come out of. In addition, prosperity does not benefit everyone: Brazil is still marked by social inequalities, insecurity and a chronic lack of infrastructure, which it needs to overcome. Furthermore, the exploitation of its mineral wealth and the development of agro-business continue to put a heavy strain on its natural resources.
Consequently, Brazil needs to renew with growth that combines environmental protection and social progress. It also has a crucial role to play in the fight against climate change. The country is proactive in international climate negotiations and has pledged to keep the deforestation of the Amazon in check, which is its main source of CO2 emissions. But it has also pledged to promote renewable energies, improve the quality of transport and preserve its water resources.
AFD has been active in Latin America since 2007 and is working with Brazil to promote a sustainable and solidarity-based development model, with the climate being a strong marker for its operations in the region. It focuses on a partnership-based approach, bringing together Brazilian and French actors. AFD has a wide variety of operating methods in Brazil: loans to the public sector (and private sector via Proparco), mobilization of grant funds to finance technical assistance and expert missions, support-advice services, public policy dialogue.