Brazil leapt six spots in the CCPI 2027, reaching 21st place globally, yet the country still seeks to move beyond fossil fuel dependence to lead.
The international climate landscape gained a new thermometer this Wednesday (11) during the COP31 held in Antalya, Turkey. The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), which evaluates the environmental policies of 64 nations and the European Union, revealed that Brazil rose to 21st place, improving its performance compared to the previous year.
While the advance reflects positive efforts, the country remains in the “medium” performance band. The achievement is driven by the expansion of the renewable energy sector and deforestation control data, but the index points to a gap between environmental rhetoric and the reality of the energy sector, where the country remains one of the major global players in oil exploration and consumption.
Challenges in the Energy Transition
The study, prepared by the organizations Germanwatch and NewClimate Institute, puts a magnifying glass on Brazilian contradictions. While the country shines in climate policies and a clean electric grid, greenhouse gas emission indicators still pressure overall performance, demanding measures that go beyond strategic planning and reach practical execution.
Ricardo Baitelo, researcher at IEMA, highlights:
Brazil has stood out in recent years for its climate advances, both in leading COP30 and in expanding renewable energy and controlling deforestation.
According to the specialist, the next essential step for the country is to design a clear strategy for the gradual elimination of fossil fuels, aligning public investments with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.
G20 Overview and the COP31 Landscape
In the global ranking, the absence of leaders in the top three positions underscores the urgency of the crisis: no country has achieved the performance needed to fully meet the Paris Agreement. Denmark remains isolated at the top of the list, while the United Kingdom stands out as the only G20 member to appear in the high ranking.
The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, present at COP31, uses the international stage to emphasize the energy transition as a cornerstone of his administration. The expectation is that the Brazilian government will translate its diplomatic leadership into energy security and foreign investment attraction.
For Heber Galarce, president of INEL, the challenge is now internal:
COP is an opportunity to demand coherence between international commitments and domestic decisions. Brazil has an advantage that the world seeks: a highly renewable electric grid with potential for further advancement.
As the conference progresses, Brazil remains under scrutiny. Rising in the rankings signals that the path is being charted, but the transition to a low‑carbon economy will require, in the coming years, energy decisions that prioritize sustainability over fossil fuel interests.