Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has begun his third term in 2023 presenting himself as an advocate for the environment, working to reduce deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and to protect indigenous rights. However, in recent weeks he has advocated for exploratory drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, arguing that oil revenues could fund a transition to green energy.
Brazil, the seventh-largest oil producer in the world with approximately 4.3 million barrels per day, has been approved to join OPEC+, a group that includes the 12 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and 10 major producing nations, such as Russia. Although Brazil will not have binding obligations regarding production cuts, this union signals the country's evolution into a major oil state.
In 2024, crude oil became Brazil's top export product, accounting for 13.3% of foreign sales, surpassing soybeans. This decision has generated criticism at a time when Brazil is preparing to host the UN climate summit, COP30, in November. Luís Eduardo Duque Dutra, an oil expert and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, considers Brazil's entry into OPEC+ as a setback in the country's environmental policies.
Suely Araújo, spokesperson for the Climate Observatory, has expressed concern over the choice to open new areas for fossil fuel exploration instead of opting for more sustainable solutions aligned with current and future challenges regarding climate change. Despite this decision, Brazil has also approved its membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which would indicate a more active follow-up on the global energy situation.
