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Loading ...Swiss to Help Minas Prepare E-waste Diagnosis
Monday, March 9th, 2009The government of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state wants to regulate waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE, or “e-waste” or “e-scrap”), and with their new state waste policy law, they have ample authority to do so. There’s just one problem: they are not sure of the full extent and nature of the e-waste problem in their […]
Brazil Creates Cancer Research Network / Brasil lança rede de pesquisas sobre o câncer
Thursday, March 5th, 2009Brazil’s National Council on Scientific and technological Development (CNPq) and Health Ministry (MS) have launched a Brazilian Cancer Research Network (Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas sobre o Câncer). According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), cancer is the second greatest cause of death in Brazil, and it is projected to cause 465,000 new deaths in 2009. […]
Brazil Creates 22 New National Research Institutes
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009Brazil’s National Council for the Development of Science and Technology (CNPq) just announced the creation of 22 new National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs), bringing the number of such national institutes to 123, with total financial resources for R&D of R$581 million. Nine of the new INCTs will go to São Paulo (SP), four […]
Cohab/Cemig to Install Solar Water Heaters in 7,000 Houses for the Poor
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009The state-owned Housing Company of Minas Gerais (Cohab) has decided to put solar water heaters in the 7,500 houses it is building in the second phase of its Popular Homes Housing Program (PLHP). The electric utility (majority owned by the state), the Energy Company of Minas Gerais (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais – CEMIG),will assist […]
Minas’ New State Waste Law Features Take-Back
Sunday, January 18th, 2009Last week the governor of Minas Gerais (MG) signed the State Solid Waste Policy Law. The Law’s 57 articles establish the principles, guidelines, goals and instruments for the correct management of waste, and defines the obligations of different waste generators and the users of urban sanitation services. Minas is not the first Brazilian state to […]
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Rio de Janeiro State
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009In its recent report on activities and issues it confronted in 2008, the environment secretariat (SEA) of Rio de Janeiro state (RJ) included a summary graphic from the so-to-be-released state greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory that I though I’d share with you here: By sources, the biggest GHG emitter in RJ is industry at 33.8%, followed […]
IBAMA Sets Record for Environmental Licensing
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009Brazil’s environment agency, IBAMA, has announced that it set a new record for issuing environmental licenses during 2008. IBAMA is not in charge of all environmental licensing in Brazil: much of that is done by state and local environment bodies. IBAMA issued 467 licenses in 2008, almost a 27% increase over licenses granted in 2007 […]
Minas Seeks to Lead in Environmental Policy / Minas Pretende Ser Lider na Política Ambiental
Monday, December 29th, 2008Minas Gerais is seeking to take the lead among Brazilian states in environmental protection, and they want everyone to know it! [Look out, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo!] At year-end the state environment secretary José Carlos Carvalho released a report card on mineiro environment policy achievements and plans for 2009. He particularly […]
Brazil to Release GHG Inventory for Waste & Sanitation Sectors / Brasil vai divulgar dados sobre a emissão de gases de efeito estufa do setor de resíduos sólidos e efluentes
Monday, December 29th, 2008While many developing nations — including most Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations — are content to submit the minimum communication required under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Brazil has not taken the easy route. If you check the Temas listing of national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, you’ll see that no less […]
Minas Trumpets Its Waste Policy Achievements
Saturday, December 27th, 2008Minas Gerais, Brazil’s second most populous state and one of its mining, metals and agriculture powerhouses, is pretty proud of its recent accomplishments in waste policy and management. I’ve chronicled here a couple of their steps, such as the modernized inspection/enforcement regime and the creation of the Waste Reference Center (CMRR). But that only touches […]