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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

Droughts can reduce the caloric value of flower nectar by up to 95%, study finds
SDG 13
Droughts can reduce the caloric value of flower nectar by up to 95%, study finds

An experiment carried out by researchers from São Paulo State University on zucchini crops indicated that a 30% drop in rainfall would reduce the availability of calories in the sweet liquid that serves as food for pollinators, such as bees, by 34%, while extreme drought practically wipes out the resource. These results are particularly concerning for plants that depend on cross-pollination.


Science is essential for curbing global warming, forest loss, and biodiversity loss
SDG 13
Science is essential for curbing global warming, forest loss, and biodiversity loss

The assessment was made by Barbara Pompili, the French Ambassador for the Environment, at the opening of a forum at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. The event is part of the FAPESP Week France program.


Fire and agriculture drive soil degradation in the southern Brazilian Amazon
SDG 13
Fire and agriculture drive soil degradation in the southern Brazilian Amazon

Study shows that carbon and nitrogen losses from the soil persist for nearly a decade after burning, and conversion to agriculture causes even more severe impacts.


‘Time is short. The window is closing,’ says Thelma Krug regarding the Paris Agreement targets
SDG 7, SDG 13
‘Time is short. The window is closing,’ says Thelma Krug regarding the Paris Agreement targets

At the 4th FAPESP 2025 Conference, the former vice chair of the IPCC stated that the renewable energy sector is growing faster than the fossil fuel sector. She said she has not lost hope that the global average temperature increase can be limited to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.


Drones can detect fires and monitor greenhouse gas emissions
SDG 9, SDG 13
Drones can detect fires and monitor greenhouse gas emissions

University of São Paulo researchers are developing an aircraft equipped with sensors that can detect and measure the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the environment; the project was presented at FAPESP Week France in Toulouse.


Tool identifies ecologically equivalent areas to guide restoration projects
SDG 13
Tool identifies ecologically equivalent areas to guide restoration projects

Model designed to comply with current legislation uses biodiversity, landscape, and ecosystem services data and could support public policies.


Greenhouse gas could lead to the development of sustainable fuels
SDG 7, SDG 13
Greenhouse gas could lead to the development of sustainable fuels

An international consortium of scientists presents an overview of the subject in an article published in the journal Science.


Study assesses how sustainable agricultural management practices in the Americas help sequester CO2
SDG 2, SDG 13
Study assesses how sustainable agricultural management practices in the Americas help sequester CO2

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and collaborators conducted a comprehensive review of the available literature on the subject, which included more than 13,000 articles.


Study assesses how sustainable agricultural management practices in the Americas help sequester CO2
SDG 2, SDG 13
Study assesses how sustainable agricultural management practices in the Americas help sequester CO2

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and collaborators conducted a comprehensive review of the available literature on the subject, which included more than 13,000 articles.


Oceans should play a bigger role in COP30 discussions, experts say
SDG 13
Oceans should play a bigger role in COP30 discussions, experts say

The topic was discussed by Kenyan marine ecologist David Obura, chairman of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, and Brazilian researchers during the 3rd FAPESP 2025 Conference.


Civil defense units must invest in professionalization and own resources to face climate risks
SDG 13, SDG 16
Civil defense units must invest in professionalization and own resources to face climate risks

Research proposes action fronts to increase the organizational capacity of these units in municipalities; expanded coordination with other areas is one of the next steps for the sector.


Article proposes method to reduce illegal logging in Brazil
SDG 12, SDG 13
Article proposes method to reduce illegal logging in Brazil

Solution developed at the Center for Research in Mathematical Sciences Applied to Industry is based on the analysis of the timber trade network.


São Paulo startup bets on regenerative agriculture
SDG 2, SDG 5, SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13
São Paulo startup bets on regenerative agriculture

With the support of FAPESP, Santa Food Tech has developed a model to transform urban areas into laboratories of sustainability; the initiative is already implemented in four micro-regions of the state capital and in Guarulhos.


Beef production emits more than twice the greenhouse gas targets
SDG 2, SDG 13
Beef production emits more than twice the greenhouse gas targets

In an article published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo discuss the need for the production chain to adopt emission reduction practices.


Aquaculture in the Amazon promotes food security with less impact than livestock farming
SDG 12, SDG 13
Aquaculture in the Amazon promotes food security with less impact than livestock farming

In an article in Nature Sustainability, researchers from Brazil and the United States point out the advantages of fish farming over livestock farming, but warn of the need for stricter environmental regulations to prevent the activity from becoming an additional pressure on the biome.


Scientists call for more biodiversity on COP-30 agenda
SDG 13
Scientists call for more biodiversity on COP-30 agenda

The topic was discussed during the first event of the FAPESP Conferences 2025 series, with guest speaker Ane Alencar, Director of Science at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute.


Reducing cattle ranching is not enough to restore degraded soils in the Caatinga
SDG 13, SDG 15
Reducing cattle ranching is not enough to restore degraded soils in the Caatinga

Study carried out in Brazil’s semi-arid biome found that removing animals did not lead to significant improvements, even after three years of spontaneous soil recovery. Researchers suggest complementary measures such as green manure and strategic tree planting.


By 2100, more than 80% of amphibian species in and around the Pantanal will lose suitable habitat
SDG 13, SDG 15
By 2100, more than 80% of amphibian species in and around the Pantanal will lose suitable habitat

A study by Brazilian and Swiss researchers predicts that even in an optimistic greenhouse gas emissions scenario, 99% of the area of the Upper Paraguay River Basin will be lost.


‘Cloud machine’: emissions from the Amazon Rainforest and electrical discharges create rain particles
SDG 13
‘Cloud machine’: emissions from the Amazon Rainforest and electrical discharges create rain particles

Study published in Nature reveals mechanism by which isoprene, a gas emitted by vegetation, produces large quantities of aerosols responsible for forming condensation nuclei; process may have an influence on global climate.


COP30, chaired by Brazil, will be a window of opportunity to address the climate crisis
SDG 13
COP30, chaired by Brazil, will be a window of opportunity to address the climate crisis

Experts point to delays in meeting Paris Agreement targets and warn: without urgent action, the world could become up to 4.3 °C warmer.


Non-graminoid herbaceous plants are fundamental for the preservation of the Cerrado
SDG 13, SDG 15
Non-graminoid herbaceous plants are fundamental for the preservation of the Cerrado

Less studied than grasses and trees, these plant species are of enormous importance to the Brazilian savannah biome in terms of biodiversity, carbon storage, regeneration after disturbance, and the provision of ecosystem services such as food and medicine.


Methodology enables assessment of soil stability in an area degraded by mining
SDG 13
Methodology enables assessment of soil stability in an area degraded by mining

Using a technique from the oil industry, researchers show that chemical bonds with calcium and magnesium increase the soil’s capacity to store carbon, reducing emissions and increasing fertility; the process contributes to sustainable management.


Just over a thousand species make up half of the planet’s tropical trees, study finds
SDG 13, SDG 15
Just over a thousand species make up half of the planet’s tropical trees, study finds

The estimate, published in the journal Nature, is that 2.24% of tree species in the Amazon, Africa and Southeast Asia account for 50% of the 800 billion trees in the tropical biome. Listing the hyperdominant species, as they are called, helps scientists more accurately measure processes such as carbon storage.


Frogs and toads of the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest will suffer the worst impact of drought combined with warming
SDG 13, SDG 15
Frogs and toads of the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest will suffer the worst impact of drought combined with warming

A study published in Nature Climate Change predicts that 36% of anurans’ habitats worldwide will soon be threatened by a combination of rising temperatures and water scarcity. Brazil has the greatest diversity of anurans in the world and some of the most vulnerable anuran habitats.


Science for Development Center will help cities adapt to climate change
SDG 11, SDG 13
Science for Development Center will help cities adapt to climate change

Research carried out at the Carbon Neutral Cities CCD, launched by FAPESP and the Technological Research Institute, will develop and apply technologies inspired by nature to increase urban resilience and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.


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