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FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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SDG 13 Climate Action

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SDG 13 Climate Action

Chile-Brazil collaboration is studying impact of climate change in one of the world’s most untouched places
SDG 13, SDG 14
Chile-Brazil collaboration is studying impact of climate change in one of the world’s most untouched places

Working in partnership with scientists at the University of Magallanes in Chile, Brazilian researchers are conducting studies of the Chilean subantarctic region.


Innovation in genome editing of tropical maize could accelerate agricultural research in the country
SDG 13
Innovation in genome editing of tropical maize could accelerate agricultural research in the country

Three of the five tropical strains were successfully transformed using the morphogenic gene expression strategy, achieving efficiency rates three times higher than the average of the protocols.


RCGI joins international consortium to coordinate collaboration on zero-carbon initiatives
SDG 13
RCGI joins international consortium to coordinate collaboration on zero-carbon initiatives

The Global Technology Hub, launched at COP28, will promote decarbonization projects and financing. The goal is to enable developing countries to achieve net-zero emissions.


How a government program promoted conservation of Atlantic Rainforest remnants on rural properties
SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 15
How a government program promoted conservation of Atlantic Rainforest remnants on rural properties

Farmers in the Paraíba Valley region of São Paulo state received economic incentives such as payment for environmental services to adopt conservation practices and protect native vegetation.


Study shows how to increase success rate of restoration initiatives in the Cerrado
SDG 13, SDG 15
Study shows how to increase success rate of restoration initiatives in the Cerrado

A research project led by the State University of Campinas investigated how manipulation of native species in this Brazilian savanna-like biome can prevent reinvasion of restored areas by exotic grasses. The results emphasize the importance of fostering species diversity.


Wood condition, root constriction and improper pruning can be used as predictors of urban tree failure
SDG 11, SDG 13
Wood condition, root constriction and improper pruning can be used as predictors of urban tree failure

A study of the São Paulo city center in Brazil proposed guidelines and specified stakeholder roles for reducing the number of tree failures, which average 2,000 per year there.


Restoration of degraded areas in semi-arid region contributes to ‘return’ of soil microorganisms, study shows
SDG 2, SDG 13
Restoration of degraded areas in semi-arid region contributes to ‘return’ of soil microorganisms, study shows

Bacteria, fungi and archaea living in the soil provide several ecosystem services, including carbon storage, and help restore native characteristics. The result contributes to advances in sustainable agriculture, one of the key points for this year’s G20 meetings.


The most comprehensive survey of Brazilian coastal and marine biodiversity conducted to date has been launched
SDG 13, SDG 14
The most comprehensive survey of Brazilian coastal and marine biodiversity conducted to date has been launched

The report was written by 53 academic and government specialists, 12 young researchers, and 26 representatives of Indigenous and traditional communities. It aims to be useful to policymakers and to raise the general public’s awareness of the importance of protecting the ocean and coastline.


Applications for São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Biodiversity are now being received by State University of Campinas
SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15
Applications for São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Biodiversity are now being received by State University of Campinas

The event, which is supported by FAPESP, is for young researchers and environmental technicians. Thirty applicants from Brazil and 30 from other countries will be selected.


In the Cerrado, crop diversification has beneficial effects on wildlife and reduces the presence of boars
SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 13
In the Cerrado, crop diversification has beneficial effects on wildlife and reduces the presence of boars

Considered an invasive species, Sus scrofa causes damage to farmers in an important part of Brazil’s savanna-like biome. The researchers analyzed 55 landscapes in São Paulo state, observing larger numbers of native mammals in areas with well-conserved vegetation and diversified crops, while native species richness was far lower in areas of monoculture.


United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany join new call for proposals issued by Amazon+10 Initiative
SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17
United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany join new call for proposals issued by Amazon+10 Initiative

With the new contributions from abroad, the Scientific Expeditions call, issued in partnership with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, now has a fund totaling some BRL 94 million.


Method combines artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to map crop-livestock integration systems
SDG 2, SDG 13
Method combines artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to map crop-livestock integration systems

The study, which was conducted by Brazilian researchers, supports sustainable agriculture and offers contributions to public policy formulation.


Novel methodology projects growth of native trees, enhancing return on investment in forest restoration
SDG 13, SDG 15
Novel methodology projects growth of native trees, enhancing return on investment in forest restoration

The study analyzed data for 13 Atlantic Rainforest restoration areas involving ten species of native trees that could be commercially useful to the timber industry. Publication of the findings comes during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.


More than 80% of tree species endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest are threatened with extinction
SDG 13, SDG 15
More than 80% of tree species endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest are threatened with extinction

A study published in the journal Science shows for the first time the degree of threat to all tree species in the biome, classifying 65% as vulnerable or endangered to some extent. According to the authors, their findings are conservative – the actual situation could be even more alarming.


FAPESP at COP28 reinforces coalition to create new international body to protect the oceans
SDG 13, SDG 14
FAPESP at COP28 reinforces coalition to create new international body to protect the oceans

The International Panel for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) will translate scientific information into policymaking decisions that help protect the world’s oceans.


Amazon+10 Initiative receives more than BRL 30 million from the United Kingdom
SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13
Amazon+10 Initiative receives more than BRL 30 million from the United Kingdom

The funding will be for scientific expeditions under the current call for proposals which is taking applications until April 29, 2024.


Climate intelligence platform supports decision-making by farmers and agroindustry
SDG 2, SDG 9, SDG 13
Climate intelligence platform supports decision-making by farmers and agroindustry

Agrosmart, a startup based in São Paulo state, presented its portfolio of solutions during COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference held in Dubai.


A new map showing all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon
SDG 13
A new map showing all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon

The map is derived from a study conducted by researchers at Brazil’s space research institute and collaborators, and combined airborne laser scanning, satellite imagery and forest inventories. The results will support planning, conservation and sustainable management decisions.


Atmospheric pollutants in São Paulo exceeded recommended levels even at the height of the pandemic
SDG 3, SDG 13
Atmospheric pollutants in São Paulo exceeded recommended levels even at the height of the pandemic

Brazilian researchers analyzed air pollution in metropolitan São Paulo in 2019-20 when mobility restrictions and social distancing applied in the southern hemisphere’s largest city. Even so, the daily average exceeded the World Health Organization’s air quality standard on 75 days.


New RIDC will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration in agriculture
SDG 2, SDG 13
New RIDC will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration in agriculture

The Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON) is a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) supported by FAPESP and hosted by the University of São Paulo’s Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP). It was officially launched on November 17 and aims to make food, fiber and energy productivity part of the solution to the climate crisis.


Analysis of carbon cycle during last glacial period can help monitor climate crisis
SDG 13
Analysis of carbon cycle during last glacial period can help monitor climate crisis

A study conducted in Brazil analyzed marine sediments to investigate gas exchanges between the ocean and the atmosphere in the recent past. The researchers concluded that a rise in the temperature of the South Atlantic caused a release of CO2 trapped at the bottom of the Southern Ocean.


FAPESP participates in international summit on poles and glaciers in France
SDG 13, SDG 17
FAPESP participates in international summit on poles and glaciers in France

The One Planet Polar Summit was attended by people from over 40 countries, including researchers, experts, members of business enterprises and nonprofits, and representatives of Indigenous Peoples.


Review article shows key role of Brazil in research on sugarcane for bioenergy
SDG 7, SDG 13
Review article shows key role of Brazil in research on sugarcane for bioenergy

The study by researchers at the University of São Paulo also shows that genetic engineering techniques need to be improved in order to increase ethanol production without expanding crop acreage, a strategy considered crucial to the effort to cope with climate change.


FAPESP and the University of São Paulo are participating in the Ocean Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai
SDG 13, SDG 14
FAPESP and the University of São Paulo are participating in the Ocean Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai

A group of organizations led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography have established an online platform to raise the visibility of the ocean and highlight its importance to climate negotiations and life on the planet.


The crucial role of biofuels in the energy transition is explained in an encyclopedic new book
SDG 2, SDG 7, SDG 12, SDG 13
The crucial role of biofuels in the energy transition is explained in an encyclopedic new book

Written by two experts on biofuels, Luís Augusto Barbosa Cortez and Frank Rosillo-Calle, the book explores Brazil’s experience and how other countries can learn from it in the context of climate change.


News about research projects funded by FAPESP and articulated with the SDGs: