Distrito Federal

Espírito Santo

Goiás

Maranhão

Minas Gerais

Mato Grosso do Sul

Mato Grosso

Pará

Paraíba

Pernambuco

Piauí

Paraná

Rio de Janeiro

Rio Grande do Norte

Rondônia

Roraima

Acre

Rio Grande do Sul

Alagoas

Santa Catarina

Amazonas

Sergipe

Amapá

São Paulo

Bahia

Tocantins

Ceará

Brazil

Restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forest by 2030

zero illegal emissions in from the Amazon by 2030

do not exceed 3,925 km sq. of deforestation by 2020

recovery of 15 million hectares of degraded pastures

40% reduction in annual deforestation rates in the Cerrado Biome in relation to the average of the period 1999-2008

80% reduction in annual deforestation rates in Amazon in relation to the average of the period 1996-2005

expansion of forest planting by 3 million hectares

expansion of biological nitrogen fixation in 5.5 million hectares of cultivated areas, replacing the use of nitrogen fertilizers

expansion of the practice of no-till straw by 8 million hectares

expansion of crop-livestock-forestry system by 4 million hectares

reduce projected 2020 CO2 emissions by 1,168-1,259 million tonnes

reduce projected emissions by 36.1-38.9% by 2020

Stop the net-loss of forest cover by 2015

Reduce CO2 emissions by an additional 21.8 million tonnes by 2020 compared to decree 7390/2010

Reduce CO2 emissions by 1.255bn tonnes according to decree 7390/2010

Reduce between 36.1% and 38.9% of its projected emissions by 2020 against a 2010 baseline

Maximum levels of energy consumption and energy efficiency for products built or sold in Brazil by N/A

Implementation of the National Policy for Energy Efficiency that will result in a gradual energy saving up to 106 TWh/year to be reached in 2030, avoiding emissions of around 30 million tons of CO2 in that year by 2030 against a 2007 baseline

Replacement of one million old fridges per year, for ten years, with the collection of three million tCO2eq/year of CFCs (gases that also deplete the ozone layer) by 2017 against a 2007 baseline

Reduction of non-technical losses in the electricity distribution at a rate of 1,000 GWh per year over the next ten years, which currently are around 22,000 GWh per year. This will represent a reduction in energy wastage of 400 GWh per year. On average, around 25% (100 GWh per year) of this energy will no longer be produced by thermo power plants.  by 2017 against a 2007 baseline

Preserving forests at the levels stipulated in the previous objective, double the area of forest plantation from 5.5 million ha to 11 million ha in 2020, of which two million ha with native species

The sustainable Forest Management Plan (PMFS) should present a geographically defined area destined to the absolute reserve, representative of managed forest ecosystems, equivalent to at least 5% (5%) of the total area granted for biodiversity conservation and evaluation and monitoring of the impacts of forest management .

By 2026, the total area with forest concessions of the Union shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total area of its public forests available for concession, except for located in national forests created pursuant to art. 17 of Law 9,985 of July 18, 2000.

Reduction of 40% in the average deforestation rate by 2006-2009 period in relation to the average rate of the ten years reference period used in the Amazon Fund (1996-2005). For each of the next two periods of four years, reach 30% of extra reduction, in relation to the previous period.     In the case of the Amazon bioma, achieving this specific objective can avoid emissions of around 4.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide between 2006 and 2017, considering a biomass carbon stock of 100 tC/ha. This value will be revaluated after the completion of the carbon stocks inventory, to be supported by the National Forest Inventory.  by 2006-2009 compared with a 1996-2005 scenario

Increase electricity supply from cogeneration, mainly from sugarcane bagasse, to 11.4% of the total supply in the country, in 2030, corresponding to 136 TWh by 2030 against a 2007 baseline

Energy from wind and sugarcane bagasse - Increasing the share of these sources in the electric matrix through specific auctions of renewable energy. More than 7,000 MW of renewable sources will be implemented by 2010 in accordance with the results of the Program of Incentives for Alternative Sources of Electric Energy - PROINFA and the auctions already carried out.

Biodiesel - ongoing studies to anticipate from 2013 to 2010 the obligation to add 5% to diesel by 2010 against a 2007 baseline

Encouragement of the use of water solar power heating systems, reducing electricity consumption in 2,200 GWh per year by 2015 against a 2007 baseline

34,460 MW from new hydropower plants to be added to the system in accordance with the schedule of works of the Ten Year Energy Plan (2007-2016)

Ethanol - encourages industry to achieve an average annual consumption increase of 11% by 2017. Produced from crops raised in areas de ned in the Sugarcane Zoning Program, currently being implemented, it should prevent the emission of 508 million tCO2 during the period.

Levels of biodiesel and biofuel from biomass in available fuels; biodiesel at 5% (law 11.097) and 8 to 10% (law 13.033) by 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019 against 2005, 2014, 2016 baselines

The Climate Litigation Database

Find climate change litigation data and indicators for {text}.

{text} litigation

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law provides Climate Litigation Database, a comprehensive database of US and Global climate change caselaw

Quickly and easily search through the complete text of thousands of climate change law and policy documents from every country.

Search the Climate Litigation Database

In November 2025, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office filed a Public Civil Action, with a request for preliminary injunction, against the Federal Government, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the State of Minas Gerais, the State of Bahia, the State Environmental Foundation (FEAM), the State Forestry Institute (IEF), the Minas Gerais Water Management Institute (IGAM), and the Institute of Environment and Water Resources (INEMA). Through the lawsuit, Plaintiff seeks to enable the restructuring of these environmental agencies with regard to the mismatch between the development of economic activities in the region of the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park (PNGSV) and the protection of this federal conservation unit, whose extension covers areas of Minas Gerais and Bahia. 

Plaintiff argues that excessive water use for agricultural irrigation and deforestation around the PNGSV affect the water availability of the Cariranha River basin, further exacerbating the climate crisis. It argues that the defendant environmental agencies adopt outdated and non-integrated methodologies—disregarding seasonality, the effects of climate change, and changes in land use—both in relation to water-use permits and to the suppression of native vegetation. The complaint highlights the role of the veredas (wetlands) in the hydrodynamics of the Cerrado biome, acting as natural springs and regulators of the water regime. 

Plaintiff requests an injunction suspending the water resource permits and suppressing native vegetation until the criteria and procedures adopted by the competent environmental agencies are reviewed. On the merits, it requests: i) the recognition and definition of the structural problem consisting of the damage caused to the PNGSV (São Francisco River Basin National Park), in addition to the elaboration of a Regional Structural Plan in collaboration with the Regional Committee of the São Francisco River Basin; ii) measures to update and integrate environmental and water management; iii) incorporate climate assessment into the procedures for granting permits and authorizing vegetation suppression.

In March 2025, the National Confederation of General Insurance, Private Pension, Supplementary Health, and Capitalization Companies (CNseg) filed a Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) with a request for injunctive relief, seeking a declaration of unconstitutionality of Article 56 of Federal Law 15,042/2024 (Brazilian Emissions Trading System Law). The challenged provision imposes on insurance companies, open supplementary pension entities, capitalization companies, and local reinsurers the mandatory purchase of carbon credits or shares in investment funds holding such assets, amounting to at least 0.5% per year of their technical reserves and provisions.

CNseg argues that the provision suffers from both formal and material constitutional defects, in that insurance companies cannot be subjected to a mandatory investment requirement under the terms set by a Complementary Law regulating the sector. It contends that the provision restricts freedom, free enterprise, and free competition, forcing insurers, despite not being the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to purchase carbon credits, thereby imposing an excessive burden on them in the name of environmental protection.

Within this context, it is argued that carbon credits have uncertain real value, there is insufficient supply in the domestic market, and the obligation artificially creates demand, which could harm insurers and other companies interested in acquiring these assets.

As interim relief, CNseg requests the immediate suspension of Article 56. On the merits, it seeks a declaration of unconstitutionality, with retroactive effects (ex tunc), of Article 56 of Federal Law 15,042/2024.

On January 23, 2025, the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC) filed a judicial inquiry against Gol Linhas Aéreas S.A. This action is part of a set of two inquiries filed by IDEC alleging greenwashing and problems in the use of carbon credits from the voluntary market. In this case against Gol, the airline's voluntary carbon offset actions through its ‘Meu Voo Compensa’ (My Flight Offsets) programme are being questioned. IDEC questions the transparency, effectiveness, and veracity of the company's claims regarding the neutralisation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as the integrity of the carbon credits purchased and disclosed as sustainable. According to the initial petition, Gol's greenwashing practice consists of using marketing and communication strategies to induce consumers to believe that its operations are environmentally responsible, without concrete, verifiable, and effective measures to justify such claims. An example of this conduct is the use of an aircraft identified as ‘Green Plane’ to reinforce its sustainable image, even though the aircraft did not have any technical or operational features that made it effectively more environmentally friendly. IDEC requires GOL Linhas Aéreas to respond to a set of questions related to transparency, the legal nature, and calculation and compensation methods of the My Flight Offsets programme, as well as the allocation of amounts paid by consumers and other environmental actions disclosed by the company.

On March 14, 2025, Gol Linhas Aéreas responded to the inquiry, denying the practice of greenwashing and maintaining that its sustainability actions are transparent, audited, and based on internationally recognised methodologies. The company highlights that it uses the GHG Protocol to calculate emissions and purchases carbon credits validated by the international certifier Verra, with tracking via blockchain. The company also reports that it has published sustainability reports audited by Ernst & Young, reaffirming its commitment to ESG practices and GHG reduction. Gol argues that carbon offsetting is a voluntary measure paid for by passengers, not a donation, and that its actions are unrelated to the Operation Greenwashing investigations, although, as a precaution, it has suspended its partnership with Moss, the climatech company previously responsible for the programme, and is in the process of hiring a new partner. Finally, it reiterates that its institutional communication seeks to inform, not mislead, consumers, defending the legitimacy of its environmental initiatives and requesting recognition of the regularity of its conduct and the absence of any violation of environmental and consumer rights.

The case file was dismissed after the notification/summons was served, as judicial inquiry in the Brazilian Judicial system is used to request clarification or demand a response from another party and  its main objective is not to judge the merits of a case, but rather to obtain evidence of knowledge and formalize a legal position The case is permanently archived.

On January 23, 2025, the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC) filed a judicial inquiry against the car rental company Localiza Rent A CAR S/A. This action is part of a set of two inquiries proposed by IDEC alleging greenwashing and problems in the use of carbon credits from the voluntary market. In this case, Localiza is questioned about offering rental services with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets through its ‘Carbon Neutrality’ and ‘Commitment to the Climate’ programmes. However, IDEC believes that this initiative may constitute greenwashing due to the imprecise origin of the carbon credits, the apparent lack of information on the real benefits, and the effectiveness of the methods used to achieve the stated objectives. IDEC believes that there are indications of greenwashing due to gaps in the information collected through the respondent's website. Furthermore, the offer is not in accordance with consumer law, as it violates objective good faith, as well as the basic consumer right to freedom of choice and adequate and clear information, all of which are provided for in the Consumer Protection Code. The payment of an additional amount in the car rental contract to offset GHG emissions requires justification in order to be considered an offer that complies with consumer rights. However, consumers are misled due to a lack of adequate information and thus believe that the respondent will provide a service that has less impact on the environment. Greenwashing is characterised as unfair practices that downplay risks and threats to socio-environmental rights. Therefore, it is believed that the respondent uses this resource because GHG emission compensation programmes have a positive impact on its image. Firstly, because the service provided would be guided by ESG standards, generating a favourable image for the company. In addition, it reaches a fraction of consumers who base their consumption on social and environmental criteria. The purpose of the Judicial Inquiry is to enable Localiza to provide detailed explanations of its GHG emission compensation practices and to allow the respondent to correct any inconsistencies. The plaintiff requests that documents be provided to prove the veracity of the benefits of the programes offered in the car rental service, as well as that the questions presented about the programmes be answered.

In response to the Judicial Inquiry, Localiza Rent a Car S/A provided information regarding the operation of its sustainability programs, such as the "Neutraliza" Program, and on how many tons of CO2 it had already compensated.

The company stated that the information provided to consumers is clear, including the factors used for calculating emissions and the amount charged, and that consumers can voluntarily and informedly contract the programs. The amounts contracted are fully directed towards the purchase of carbon credits, which can be verified in the company's sustainability report. Furthermore, after the compensation of GHG emissions, consumers receive a certificate informing them about their neutralized emissions.

It also provided other information about the REDD+ Jari Amapá and Manoa Projects mentioned in the initial petition, indicating that they follow international standards and certifications, and are audited.

Geography

Brazil

Recent cases