Advancements in Internal Regulation: Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory ReportinG

Hello, readers committed to a greener and more responsible future!

In this post, we will provide you with insights into the global agenda for combating climate change and how the State of Mato Grosso do Sul is taking steps in this direction. Stay tuned!

Evolution of the Fight Against Climate Change Worldwide

As the challenges of climate change intensify, the pursuit of sustainable practices takes center stage. At the heart of this movement is the urgent need to address greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). It's no longer a mere choice but an imperative responsibility. That's why, in the near future, all companies will be called upon to create their GHG emissions inventories.

This movement is not regional but global, and it's not a recent development. Companies in Europe and the United States began conducting GHG emissions inventories in the 1990s as part of efforts to combat climate change. This movement aligned with global sustainability actions. Here are some key milestones:

- 1988: Establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

- 1992: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, where the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was launched.

- 1997: Signing of the Kyoto Protocol, which set emission reduction targets for industrialized countries.

- 1998: Launch of the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol), providing guidelines for companies and organizations to quantify and manage their GHG emissions. This methodology is used by Carbonseed in its emission calculations.

- 2002: Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Brazil through Legislative Decree No. 144 of 2002.

These are just a few of the many events and agreements representing significant milestones in the global fight against climate change and the pursuit of GHG emission mitigation.

The Kyoto Protocol, in particular, came into force on February 16, 2005, after meeting the conditions for enforcement. A minimum of 55% of the total member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) needed to ratify the Protocol internally, which happened on this date. This treaty was signed by more than 175 countries.

Impacts on the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and Brazil

Following Brazil's ratification, the national legal framework began to see positive impacts towards sustainability. This is the case in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS). Notable regulations in our state include State Law No. 4,555 of July 15, 2014, which establishes the State Policy on Climate Change (PEMC); State Law No. 5,235 of July 16, 2018, which addresses the State Policy on the Preservation of Environmental Services, creates the State Program for Payment for Environmental Services (PESA), and establishes a Management System for these Programs; and the recent State Decree No. 16,208 of June 6, 2023, which, among other provisions, authorizes the adoption of special procedures for the validation of projects, environmental licensing, and authorizations for activities and enterprises implementing duly certified voluntary environmental management plans and programs at the state level.

In Mato Grosso do Sul and some other states like São Paulo (CETESB Directive No. 035/2021/P) and Rio de Janeiro (INEA/PRES Resolution No. 64 of December 12, 2012), the completion of GHG emissions inventories has become a mandatory requirement for certain types of environmental licenses.

In MS, the obligation to submit GHG emissions inventories stems from SEMADESC/MS Resolution No. 23/2023, which states that "activities and enterprises originally subject to the presentation of Environmental Impact Study - EIA-RIMA, Preliminary Environmental Study - EAP, Environmental Control Report - RCA, and Simplified Environmental Report - RAS must submit their GHG Emissions Inventory as a condition for their licensing, regardless of the stage they are in."

To understand in which category an activity is classified and whether it needs to submit the mentioned studies and reports, it's necessary to consult SEMAC Resolution No. 9/2015, which classifies activities into four categories: Category I, Category II, Category III, and Category IV.

Conclusion

As you can see, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, many activities already require the mandatory preparation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories for environmental licensing purposes. However, these and many other activities benefit from obtaining and publishing this data.

The benefits are both direct and indirect. By preparing the inventory, an organization can develop strategies and goals towards emissions mitigation, based on the Paris Agreement or other applicable guidelines. Furthermore, a position of sustainability is now necessary and immediate, as only companies and organizations aligned with the best ESG practices participate in some markets.

The GHG emissions inventory also provides reputational and image advantages. Sustainable organizations that mitigate their emissions are socially well-regarded, leading to competitive gains. These and many other benefits will be explored further in upcoming publications.

If you wish to develop your greenhouse gas emissions inventory, create strategic plans, and implement ESG in your organization, please contact us by clicking the button below. For any questions, comments, or information, please leave a comment below!

Get in touch!

Thank you for reading!

Carbonseed Consultoria e Intermediação Team