News

Climate Change Law is approved in Sao Paulo

9 June 2009

It was approved on June the 3rd the Bill that institutes the Municipal Policy for Climate Change in Sao Paulo. It is the first law on local government climate strategy in Brazil, based on polluter-payer principle and taking into account the growing responsibility of cities in tackling global warming.

The bill foresees a target of 30% reduction on carbon equivalent emissions until 2012, based on the recent City’s inventory. Since 2005, Sao Paulo has already reduced its emissions levels in 20%, due to initiatives like the implementation of biogas power plants in Sao Joao and Bandeirantes landfills and other environmental programs. According to the new law, the City Hall is committed to stimulating the use of cleaner transportation by its citizens and to restructuring the Selective Collection of Waste until 2012, among other measures.
   
It also creates the legal framework that encourages the use and improvement of public transportation, renewable fuels, sustainable construction and purchases, and the conservation of green areas. It creates fiscal and economic mechanisms to enhance the participation of the private sector in the implementation of the law. The new legislation aims also at promoting the culture of sustainability among citizens.

By endorsing this law, Sao Paulo reaffirms its position as one of the largest cities acting in accordance with the C-40’s recommendations, recently stated by the Declaration of Seoul, issued during the Third Summit on last May. Recognizing the active role played by Sao Paulo in the fight against global warming, the C-40 Steering Committee has chosen the City as host for their next Summit in 2011.

Source: City Hall of Sao Paulo