Brazil transport emissions rise 56% since 2005

Greenhouse gas emissions from Brazil’s transport sector increased by 56% between 2005 and 2024, according to a study by the Centro Brasil no Clima (CBC). This growth rate outpaced the country’s 48% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the same period.

Researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) noted that while initiatives such as increasing anhydrous ethanol mixtures in gasoline and producing more efficient vehicles were implemented, they have been insufficient to meet the carbon neutrality goals established by the Paris Agreement. While the use of biofuels has helped mitigate emissions in passenger transport, the impact of electric vehicles remains negligible.

The freight transport sector presents a significant challenge, accounting for 53.9% of the sector's total emissions. Despite representing only 3% of the national vehicle fleet, heavy trucks maintain a high dependency on diesel, and there are currently no scalable alternatives to replace it.