Economia de baixo carbono no Brasil: alternativas de políticas e custos de redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa

Abstract

One of the most discussed effects of economic activity on the environment is climate change caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG). Developing countries have increased their importance as emitters of GHG and increasingly, it has become necessary that these countries also contribute to curbing emissions. Brazil already has taken a first step in this direction at conferences in Copenhagen and Cancun, to confirm voluntary national targets to reduce GHG emissions. Like other developing countries, Brazil faces the dual challenge of promoting development and reducing GHG emissions. In this context, this dissertation aims to study alternative climate policies in Brazil, widely discussed in the international arena, such as carbon pricing policies (taxes, carbon trading) and policies to improve energy efficiency. There are many examples of national policies already in place that could serve as an example to the proposition of similar schemes in Brazil, as analyzed in this dissertation.The research methodology is based on a dynamic-recursive general equilibrium model which incorporates, in its design, a detailed energy sector and fuels use, and an environmental module, especially developed for the analysis of GHG mitigation policies in Brazil. With such model we explore various alternatives of carbon prices and GHG reductions in the long run, with its associated costs.