Brazil signs bill on emissions reduction

With the Copenhagen accord reduced to a pledge and nothing legally binding about it, any commitment comes as a heartening news. It was Brazil that signed a bill this week to reduce the nation’s greenhouse emissions by 39 percent by 2020. Three important provisions were vetoed tho in a show of national interests over planetary concerns.

The bill, which was passed by the Brazil's Senate on November 24, contained strict regulations on industries to ensure the emission reductions stayed on target--including a requirement that fossil fuels be gradually abandoned as an energy source. This aspect of phasing out fossil fuels was vetoed out as also a wider allocation of government funds to ensure reduction target. The priority for small hydel projects was also voted out.

Critics talk of the bill as yet another instance of mere talk and no compliance. But this bill could also be the encouraging sign for other nations to undertake similar targets before the next climate meet at Mexico next year.