Climate Group visits the state of Minas Gerais, long-time members of the Under2 Coalition
Known for its picturesque mountainous views and deep-rooted historical heritage, Minas Gerais is showing the world what true subnational climate leadership looks like one Cafezinho at a time.
The Brazilian state is about the size of France, with over 850 municipalities. Nestled between the bustling states of Rio Janeiro to the South, Sao Paulo to the West, and Gioias and Espirito Santo to the North and East respectively – Minas Gerais is more than a coffee-producing state, it has quickly become the frontier of bold climate leadership in Brazil.
Becoming an active member of the Under2 Coalition – a coalition of subnational governments and businesses with strict net zero targets, and joining the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) are just a few examples of the state’s incredible showmanship in the climate space. If more evidence of the state’s dedication to measurable climate action is needed, Minas Gerais was the first Brazilian state to join the Race to Zero Campaign.
The Under2 Coalition has an active presence in Brazil with 20 state members. Following the G20 summit in Rio, where Climate Group engaged with cities and other states on the important roles of this level of government in climate action and finance; Climate Group visited Minas Gerais to discuss the state's climate change mitigation policies and its commitment to net zero goals. During the two-day visit attended by Climate Group’s Executive Director for Governments and Policy, Champa Patel and Head of Global Implementation, Jebi Rahman, Professor Mateus Simões, Vice Governor of Minas Gerais, led a state tour.
The delegation attended the International Coffee Week, in Belo Horizonte. Brazil is one of the world’s leading coffee producers and this event shed light on its rich history in coffee production. In addition, we visited Inhotim, an art museum and botanical garden, which is situated across parts of the Atlantic Forest and the tropical savanna of Cerrado – two of the most threatened biomes of the planet – to understand their work on biodiversity preservation and the importance of bringing nature and climate agendas together.
At a meeting with Governor Romeu Zema Neto, Vice Governor Professor Mateus Simões de Almeida and the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, Marilia Melo, we discussed international cooperation with the Under2 network to profile the climate leadership role of Brazilian states and regions in the run-up to COP30 in Belem. Subsequentially, the team attended the Intergovernmental Committee on Energy and Climate Change to better understand how the state is working across government to achieve their mitigation and adaptation goals and support communities impacted by climate change. With the limited outcomes from COP29, Brazilian leadership is ever more important, and Minas Gerais sets a high benchmark for how states are significant stakeholders to help implement national climate action plans.
Meeting with the President of the Federation of Industries of Minas Gerais (FIEMG), Flavio Roscoe, we also discussed the importance of the private sector in driving climate action, investing in solutions and being a partner to government in meeting Net Zero goals. This is clear from Minas Gerai's involvement with the RE100 campaign, which supports private sector companies to shift to renewable energies.
“Minas Gerais has shown true subnational leadership in Brazil. In the lead-up to COP30, Minas Gerais is taking bold steps to demonstrate how states can work in close collaboration with the private and financial sectors to win the fight against climate change. Their climate leadership showcases just how much is possible at the subnational level. We know that most of climate implementation happens at a local level. Our hope for a safer planet starts there,” said Champa Patel.