News

12/12/22

The climate issue can give the mining sector an innovative political space to discuss its crucial role for Brazil and the world to develop solutions that mitigate climate risks and their harmful effects on society and future generations. It would be an opportunity for the sector to get directly involved in global agendas of interest to humanity, to improve the sector’s image, as well as generate sustainable businesses of recognized importance by society. This is what former Minister of the Environment, Izabella Teixeira, Brazilian counselor at COP27, the United Nations climate conference, defends.

Izabella Teixeira reports that the debates at COP27 place mining “in contemporaneity”, that is, on the agenda of global interests, such as the energy transition, decarbonization, mitigation of climate risks, among others. In his post-COP27 evaluation, “the role of mining cannot be understood as it is today, only (production of minerals). Mining has to have a contemporary ambition”.

According to her, this means that: a) the mining supply chain must effectively have all the associated responsibilities – and with very robust criteria – regarding traceability, particularly regarding the use of natural resources; b) the sector must overcome the scope 3 challenge (emissions for which a company is indirectly responsible), “which is not trivial”, according to her; c) “there is no way to advance in the new economies without mining”.

Izabella Teixeira: the debates at COP27 put mining on the agenda of global interests, such as energy transition, decarbonization, mitigation of climate risks, among others

Mining needs a strategic vision on the climate issue

According to the former minister, the mining sector needs to have a more strategic view of the climate issue. “It’s not (just considering) mining and climate. But, yes, the role of mining in Brazil’s industrial transition; its role in the so-called resilience of cities; the role of mining in the discussion of well-being. Society has a consolidated view on degradation (or impacts of the sector), but it does not have on the role, the importance of mining solutions to have a less vulnerable world in terms of climate”, he said during the 3rd edition of the ‘Meeting with the President”, virtual meeting with members of the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), conducted by CEO Raul Jungmann.

“The positions expressed at this meeting by the former minister on the role of mining in combating climate risks and poverty, as well as the involvement of the mineral sector to contribute to regional and national development, in addition to generating a more sustainable business environment and responsible, among other points, keep full synergy with the conduct of the programs formulated by IBRAM to outline an even safer, sustainable and responsible future for Mineração do Brasil”, said Jungmann.