Brazil appears to be entering a genuine moment of inflection. With the recent adoption of comprehensive carbon regulation, combined with global trends toward pricing carbon, the country may have a real opportunity to assume a position of leadership in the international carbon-credit market. But seizing that opportunity will require building institutional, regulatory, and verification systems with discipline, transparency and credibility. New regulatory foundations In December

Since 2023, the European Union has begun enacting the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — a mechanism intended to put a price on embedded carbon in imported goods, combating so-called “carbon leakage”: the displacement of emissions to countries with laxer environmental standards. Under CBAM, companies exporting to the EU must eventually pay for the greenhouse-gas emissions associated with their production processes. By 2026, the scheme will shift from a reporting-only

In one of the most consequential developments at COP30 — held in Belém in November 2025 — governments formally inaugurated the Open Coalition of Regulated Carbon Markets , a diplomatic initiative spearheaded by Brazil to align and interconnect national carbon-trading systems. The coalition already comprises 18 countries, including major powers such as China, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, marking what observers describe as a significant step toward

During COP 30, held in Belém, Brazil emerged as a global coordinator in the governance of the international carbon market. At the event, the country assumed a central role on the global decarbonisation agenda by announcing the establishment of the Open Coalition of Regulated Carbon Markets . The initiative seeks to integrate nations that already operate structured emissions-trading systems, thereby strengthening transparency, standardisation, and the credibility of internatio

The first week of COP30, held in Belém from 10 to 21 November 2025, established itself as a landmark moment in contemporary environmental diplomacy. Situated in the heart of the Amazon, the conference gathered more than 56,000 participants and brought to the forefront a broad spectrum of complex debates — ranging from deadlocks in international negotiations to scientific urgency, in addition to major financial announcements and unprecedented Brazilian public policy initiative

Introduction Brazil is facing a strategic opportunity on the global climate stage: to consolidate a transparent, robust carbon market...