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SDG 13 Climate Action

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SDG 13 Climate Action

Brazilian coast is warmer and is having more frequent extreme temperature events, study shows
SDG 13
Brazilian coast is warmer and is having more frequent extreme temperature events, study shows

An article by scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo shows that the South and Southeast of Brazil are the most affected regions, and that Espírito Santo is the state most affected by waves of heat and cold.


Besides yields, climate change reduces nutritional value of food crops
SDG 2, SDG 13
Besides yields, climate change reduces nutritional value of food crops

The warning was delivered by Marta Vasconcelos, a biologist affiliated with the Portuguese Catholic University, during the third event in the 2023 series of FAPESP Lectures.


Deforestation in Indigenous Territories caused emission of 90 million metric tons of CO2 in 2013-21
SDG 13
Deforestation in Indigenous Territories caused emission of 90 million metric tons of CO2 in 2013-21

Scientists analyzed data for the period from 232 Indigenous Territories in Brazil. Results published in Scientific Reports show deforestation rates accelerating between 2019 and 2021.


FAPESP joins forces with France’s CNRS to bolster new International Panel on Ocean Sustainability
SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14
FAPESP joins forces with France’s CNRS to bolster new International Panel on Ocean Sustainability

Soon to be officially launched, IPOS is a coalition of 16 research institutions, research funders and universities. Its mission will be to bridge the science-policy divide and help protect the world’s ocean environment.


Storm clusters are decreasing in the Amazon, study suggests
SDG 13
Storm clusters are decreasing in the Amazon, study suggests

Scientists at the University of São Paulo have shown that the occurrence of mesoscale convective systems, which account for 40% of precipitation in the Amazon, is already being affected by climate change.


Study proposes simple low-cost solutions to improve thermal comfort in social housing
SDG 11, SDG 13
Study proposes simple low-cost solutions to improve thermal comfort in social housing

As well as benefiting users, the aim was to contribute to energy saving and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Conversion of 5% of pastureland to cropland could double biofuel production, study shows
SDG 7, SDG 13
Conversion of 5% of pastureland to cropland could double biofuel production, study shows

The data, referring to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Guatemala, was presented by the FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program (BIOEN) during a seminar hosted by the International Energy Agency.


Brazilian algorithm aims to project future of Amazon Rainforest and predict changes in carbon capture
SDG 13
Brazilian algorithm aims to project future of Amazon Rainforest and predict changes in carbon capture

The computer program was developed at the State University of Campinas to include more vegetation diversity in the analysis of climate change impacts.


The choices we make in the near future will define the impact of climate change for generations to come
SDG 7, SDG 13
The choices we make in the near future will define the impact of climate change for generations to come

The alert came from scientists who participated in the 10th German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science, Research and Innovation, organized by the German Center for Science and Innovation in São Paulo in partnership with FAPESP.


Study proposes criteria to help delimit and conserve Cerrado wetlands
SDG 13
Study proposes criteria to help delimit and conserve Cerrado wetlands

No fewer than eight important hydrographic basins depend on the ecosystems that make up the Cerrado, Brazil’s savanna-like biome, but ambiguities in the legislation have permitted the advance of soybean plantations in the region. The warning is in an article by Brazilian researchers in the journal Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation.


Managing the food-water-energy nexus to make cities sustainable
SDG 2, SDG 11, SDG 13
Managing the food-water-energy nexus to make cities sustainable

An online event presented the results of five projects selected in a call issued by FAPESP in partnership with the Belmont Forum and JPI Urban Europe.


Biotech startup aims to transform Brazilian biodiversity’s natural products into innovative therapies
SDG 9, SDG 13
Biotech startup aims to transform Brazilian biodiversity’s natural products into innovative therapies

A startup based in São Paulo is working with research centers, laboratories and private enterprise to develop novel medications from plant-based natural products. The drugs will be designed to combat multifactorial diseases.


Trees in savanna areas of Cerrado produce three times more bark than species in forest areas
SDG 13, SDG 15
Trees in savanna areas of Cerrado produce three times more bark than species in forest areas

The mechanism has resulted from evolution over millions of years to protect the buds that enable plants to survive fire. A study conducted in an environmental protection unit in São Paulo state (Brazil) can contribute to strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change.


Undermining of institutions and lack of local policies hinder fire management in Amazonia
SDG 13
Undermining of institutions and lack of local policies hinder fire management in Amazonia

A lack of community involvement impairs fire control programs in the region known as MAP, between Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil) and Pando (Bolivia).


Engineering Center for Aerial Mobility of the Future starts operating
SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13
Engineering Center for Aerial Mobility of the Future starts operating

Established by FAPESP and Embraer at the Aeronautical Technology Institute (ITA), ERC-AMF will conduct research on innovative topics with the potential to contribute to the competitiveness of Brazil’s aerospace industry.


FAPESP-supported research center develops ammonia production process with high energy efficiency
SDG 9, SDG 13
FAPESP-supported research center develops ammonia production process with high energy efficiency

Annual production of NH3, the world’s most synthesized molecule, totals 1.2 million metric tons. Its successful use in fuel cells will boost demand.


Emerging deforestation frontier in southwestern Amazon sees increase in burnings
SDG 13
Emerging deforestation frontier in southwestern Amazon sees increase in burnings

Fire destroyed 4,141 km² of forest and 6,484 km² of pasture and cropland between 2003 and 2019 in the area of Boca do Acre, Amazonas state, North Brazil, according to a recently published report. A year-by-year breakdown shows that the area affected by fire ranged from a low of 33 km² in 2011 to a high of 681 km² in 2019.


Book proposes strategies to help cities cope with climate change
SDG 11, SDG 13
Book proposes strategies to help cities cope with climate change

Researchers discuss 17 case studies conducted in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa involving ways to implement integrated management of water, energy and food.


Artificial intelligence model can help Brazil earn money from carbon credits
SDG 13
Artificial intelligence model can help Brazil earn money from carbon credits

Machine learning tool measures how environmental variables such as humidity and solar radiation affect the amount of carbon captured in a given area.


Scientists combine remote sensing and field experiments to study the effects of fire on Amazon savanna
SDG 13
Scientists combine remote sensing and field experiments to study the effects of fire on Amazon savanna

Using experimental fires set at different times of year in the Campos Amazônicos National Park, Brazilian researchers found that lags in acquiring and assessing information obtained from satellite imaging can lead to misinterpretation. The study points to the need for adjustments to monitoring algorithms.


Biogas produced with waste from apple juice making can minimize use of fossil fuels in industry
SDG 12, SDG 13
Biogas produced with waste from apple juice making can minimize use of fossil fuels in industry

A study by Brazilian researchers shows that the use of bioenergy avoids greenhouse gas emissions. Another benefit of their bioreactor is conversion of apple pomace into organic fertilizer.


Proper soil management could make Amazon pasturelands a better methane sink
SDG 13
Proper soil management could make Amazon pasturelands a better methane sink

Grass-covered pasture captures more methane than bare soil, albeit much less than forest-covered soil. Researchers at the University of São Paulo showed that proper pasture management strategies have the potential to reduce the impact of livestock production and mitigate global warming.


Novel technique developed to obtain key chemical industry input without emitting CO2
SDG 7, SDG 13
Novel technique developed to obtain key chemical industry input without emitting CO2

Hydrogen peroxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, to bleach fabric, pulp and paper, and whiten teeth, among other applications.


Increase in marine heatwaves expected to affect organisms at bottom of food chain, study suggests
SDG 13
Increase in marine heatwaves expected to affect organisms at bottom of food chain, study suggests

In an experiment, the survival and physiology of crab larvae on which other species feed were affected by rising sea surface temperatures. Events of this kind will be up to 35% more frequent between now and the end of the century in the study area.


New development model is essential to save not just the Amazon but the world, scientists say
SDG 13
New development model is essential to save not just the Amazon but the world, scientists say

Researchers who lectured at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on a Sustainable and Inclusive Amazon insisted that a new bioeconomy is urgently needed for the region.


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