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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

Legal mining sites in Brazil store 2.55 gigatonnes of CO2 in vegetation and soil, study estimates
SDG 12, SDG 13
Legal mining sites in Brazil store 2.55 gigatonnes of CO2 in vegetation and soil, study estimates

Researchers at the University of São Paulo highlight the importance of monitoring these areas and advocate the use of technosols based on tailings and other waste to offset part of their emissions.


A new system for predicting fire propagation in the Cerrado in quasi-real time
SDG 13, SDG 15
A new system for predicting fire propagation in the Cerrado in quasi-real time

Available free of charge on the internet, the platform simulates fire propagation in the savanna biome three times a day and is in use in nine conservation units.


Leading scholar for a greener agriculture, Mr. Cantarella retires from FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program
SDG 2, SDG 13
Leading scholar for a greener agriculture, Mr. Cantarella retires from FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program

Heitor Cantarella was a member of BIOEN-FAPESP’s steering committee for 14 years. As a researcher at the São Paulo State Institute of Agronomy in Campinas, he has made groundbreaking contributions to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture.


World’s first hydrogen-from-ethanol plant will be built at University of São Paulo
SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 13
World’s first hydrogen-from-ethanol plant will be built at University of São Paulo

The project is the result of a partnership between FAPESP and Shell and could help make hydrogen a widely used fuel in Brazil. Hydrogen from a pilot plant to be built at USP using Raízen’s ethanol will power buses on the campus.


A cost-benefit analysis of green roofs in Brazil and South Africa
SDG 11, SDG 13
A cost-benefit analysis of green roofs in Brazil and South Africa

A model developed by a cross-border collaboration including Brazilian researchers could help decision-makers assess the real impact of green roofs on the urban food-water-energy nexus.


Tropical forest regeneration offsets 26% of carbon emissions due to deforestation and degradation
SDG 13
Tropical forest regeneration offsets 26% of carbon emissions due to deforestation and degradation

A study published in Nature and led by scientists at Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE) and Bristol University in the UK describes a novel methodology for calculating the carbon absorption capacity of recovering areas in the Amazon, Congo and Borneo, which contain the world’s largest tropical rainforests. Together these areas remove at least 107 million metric tons from the atmosphere every year.


Novel socio-environmental vulnerability index pinpoints sustainability issues in Brazilian river basins
SDG 11, SDG 13
Novel socio-environmental vulnerability index pinpoints sustainability issues in Brazilian river basins

The innovative approach highlights vulnerability to deforestation, fire and drought, as well as poverty. The results can help formulate public policies for sustainable development.


Rare long-distance dispersal events help maintain genetic structure of mangroves
SDG 13, SDG 14
Rare long-distance dispersal events help maintain genetic structure of mangroves

A study combining genetic analysis and oceanographic simulations showed that a species of mangrove rarely disperses very far, so that North and South Brazil have two distinct populations. The results can help prioritize conservation units and understand global patterns in mangrove forest formation.


Amazon dark earth boosts tree growth as much as sixfold
SDG 13
Amazon dark earth boosts tree growth as much as sixfold

Brazilian scientists analyzed the typical soil composition resulting from native management with the aim of developing biotech applications for more effective restoration of degraded areas.


Substitution of tolerant for sensitive species balances ecosystems in agricultural areas, study says
SDG 2, SDG 13
Substitution of tolerant for sensitive species balances ecosystems in agricultural areas, study says

Research conducted in manipulated sugarcane plots showed that small water bodies such as ponds and puddles can contribute to sustainable farming even with environmentally hostile practices.


Researchers explore strategies to convert CO2 into value-added products for industry
SDG 9, SDG 13
Researchers explore strategies to convert CO2 into value-added products for industry

One of the goals of the study conducted by scientists at the Center for Development of Functional Materials and the Center for Innovation on New Energies is to reduce atmospheric emissions of this greenhouse gas.


Degradation caused by human activities affects 38% of Amazon, study shows
SDG 13, SDG 15
Degradation caused by human activities affects 38% of Amazon, study shows

An article in Science by 35 researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil and elsewhere shows that carbon emissions resulting from forest degradation are equivalent to emissions from deforestation. The authors analyzed degradation due to fire, edge effects, illegal logging and extreme drought.


Biofuels are crucial to the energy transition, but misinformation must be overcome
SDG 7, SDG 12, SDG 13
Biofuels are crucial to the energy transition, but misinformation must be overcome

The view was expressed by participants in a discussion on “Bioenergy’s major contribution to the energy transition” organized by the FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program.


Interstate collaboration advocates economic alternatives to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon
SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 13
Interstate collaboration advocates economic alternatives to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon

Strategies for reconciling forest conservation and income generation for families living on Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Acre state are the focus of a project in which local scientists are collaborating with colleagues from the states of São Paulo and Pará. The project is part of the Amazon+10 Initiative.


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.


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