News

With information from FATOR Magazine:  http://www.revistafator.com.br/ver_noticia.php?not=179053

Secretary of the Environment, Carlos Minc, said on October 21 that large industries in Rio de Janeiro State would be receiving forms shortly to reveal their CO₂ emissions. This means the amount of CO₂ emitted at each unit plus the energy source being used by the company. This information will be inserted into a database that will serve as a basis for the compensation to be required during the renewal process for the environmental licenses of the companies.

- This will help us begin to act to fulfill the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets signed last month by Governor Sérgio Cabral in the so called Climate Decree. “Based on each company’s situation, we are going to establish the necessary conditions that will allow us to reduce and offset emissions through energy efficiency actions, change energy sources and cogenerating power,” explained Mr. Minc.

The secretary also declared that the state government commissioned studies from Coppe – Coordination of Engineering Post-Graduation Programs (Coordenadoria dos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia) at UFRJ – the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro to establish how much each sector in the economy must contribute to the CO₂ reductions in the state.

- Costs of programs will also be tracked and each company will develop its own plan he stated, adding that companies whose licenses expire next year will have mechanisms to discount, offset or reduce their emissions.

Mr. Minc also mentioned the creation of the Lei do ICMS Verde (ICMS Green Law), which provoked an ecological revolution in the municipalities of the Rio de Janeiro State. The secretary explained that municipal governments that invest in environmental preservation receive larger ICMS – Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços) transfers. These are the criteria: 45% for conservation units; 30% for water quality; and 25% for the management of solid residues. This year, approximately R$ 111.5 million will be transferred to municipalities.| InvsteRio.