Brazil withdrew its candidacy to host the United Nations climate summit, COP25, next year, casting uncertainty over the country's role as a pivotal player in combating climate change.
The decision to withdraw from hosting the summit was communicated through a telegram sent yesterday to Ambassador Patrícia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Climate Change, O Globo, a Brazil-based news website said.
Budgetary constraints and the ongoing presidential transition process have been cited as the main reasons behind the country's decision to withdraw from hosting the summit.
Brazil, a part of BRICS and the largest Latin American country, is considered a major voice during climate change negotiations.
The decision comes a few weeks after president-elect Jair Bolsonaro hinted at providing more concessions to the lodging and mining sector. A vast majority of these companies will exploit the Amazon, one of the world's most vital carbon sink.
Brazil's newly appointed foreign minister Ernesto Araújo, in a statement, had termed the movement to lower emissions, a "plot" to stifle the country's economic growth.
“Ironically, this happens because of ideology, something that the president-elect and his foreign minister have vowed to 'extirpate' from public administration,” Brazil's Climate Observatory said.
In October, Brazil's ministry of foreign affairs offered to host COP25 from November 11 to 22 next year. The country's bid was accepted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
The climate change summit rotates across five regions, with the opportunity falling on a Latin American or Caribbean country next year.
Brazil's withdrawal comes barely a week before this year's climate change summit, COP24, is set to kick off in Katowice, Poland.
“The U-turn of the Brazilian government on its offer to host COP25 is regrettable, but not surprising,” Climate Observatory added.
“By ignoring the climate agenda, the federal government also fails to protect the population, exposed to a growing number of climate extremes.”
Climate negotiators are getting worried over an increasing number of countries refusing to act on climate change. Last year, the U.S. announced withdrawal from Paris agreement; recently Australia also threatened to take similar action.
Brazil's refusal to host COP25 also comes a day ahead of the G20 summit. The move is likely to affect the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development efforts to discuss lowering carbon emission strategies.
A UN report, released yesterday, revealed nearly half of G20 nations have failed to meet Nationally Determined Commitment (NDC) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Meanwhile, for UNFCC, it would be a difficult task to select a Latin American country that can host next year's summit. Hosting the two-week long event costs around 100 million U.S. dollars, a budget not many countries are capable of investing in.
(Top Photo: Amazon rain forest is a crucial global carbon sink supporting a vast array of biodiversity. /VCG Photo)