Abstract We present the challenge of deep decarbonization, the state of play of major economies regarding it, Brazilian outcomes compared to its peers and political struggles that help explain these outcomes. By identifying key actors, their interests and how they interact in domestic politics in issues that are key to deep decarbonization, we explain why Brazil, despite the potential to be ahead of its peers, has been moving backwards, and how Brazilian stances in the climate regime are influenced by it. The research is based on a qualitative analysis of extensive empirical data (primary and secondary sources).

Abstract This article discusses the role of China, Russia, India and Brazil in the climate regime. It describes the trajectory of their emissions, of their domestic policies and of their international commitments, and argues that, despite their responsibility in causing the problem, they have been conservative forces in the climate regime.

No final do século XX e início do século XXI, uma nova época geológica teve início, o Antropoceno. Ele é caracterizado pela perda da estabilidade ambiental em razão da interferência humana, do impacto cumulativo do desenvolvimento econômico sobre o meio ambiente. A mudança é sem precedentes na experiência humana; mitigá-la significa assegurar uma existência mais segura para a humanidade. Essa mitigação, porém, requer concertação internacional muito mais densa do que a que tem sido observada no regime internacional sobre mudança do clima. A construção de alianças de descarbonização entre países-chave para a resolução do problema é crucial. Ela será possível mediante a revisão dos conceitos de ameaça, segurança e interesse nacional, e uma nova interpretação da soberania, em que interesses comuns da humanidade sejam incorporados ao fundamento vestfaliano. É uma mudança complexa, mas que atualizará fundamentos importantes para uma geopolítica capaz de lidar com questões do século XXI.

In the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, a new geological epoch emerged: the Anthropocene. In this new epoch, the environmental stability is lost due to the human interference and the impact of economic development upon the environment. Such is an unprecedented change in human experience and needs to be mitigated in order to allow a safer human existence. Mitigation requires a lot more intense international cooperation than the one observed in the international regime on climate change. Alliances between key countries for the resolution of the decarbonization problem are crucial. They might be obtained if new interpretations of threat, security, and national interest are accepted along with a revision of the conception of sovereignty in which common global interests of the humanity are incorporated. What it is about is a complex change, but a change that will update important foundations of a geopolitics able to deal with the questions put forward by the 21st century.

À la fin du XXème et au début du XXIème siècle, une nouvelle ère géologique a vu le jour: l’Anthropocène. Elle se caractérise par la perte de la stabilité environnementale en conséquence de l’interférence humaine, de l’impact cumulatif du développement économique sur l’environnement. Ce changement n’a pas de précèdent dans l’expérience humaine ; l’atténuer signifie assurer une existence plus rassurante pour l’humanité. Cette atténuation requiert, néanmoins, une concertation internationale beaucoup plus intense que celle que l’on peut observer à propos du régime international sur les changements climatiques. La construction d’alliances de décarbonisation entre des pays-clés s’avère cruciale pour la résolution du problème. Elle ne sera possible que par la révision des concepts de menace, de sécurité et d’intérêt national, et une nouvelle interprétation de la souveraineté, dans laquelle les intérêts communs de l’humanité soient incorporés au fondement westphalien. C’est un changement complexe, mais qui mettra à jour des bases importantes pour une géopolitique capable de faire face aux questions actuelles du XXIème siècle.

Se o mundo não quiser colocar em risco a continuidade da vida humana na Terra, as mudanças climáticas precisam ser mitigadas, e alcançar o desenvolvimento de baixo carbono é essencial. A China é o maior emissor de gases de efeito estufa e o maior produtor e consumidor de energia; investigar os desdobramentos de suas políticas em energia e clima e suas posições internacionais nos temas é fundamental para compreender e enfrentar os obstáculos da governança energética e climática global.

If the world is not to jeopardize the chances for human life on Earth, climate change must be mitigated; therefore, achieving low carbon development is crucial. China is the world's greatest GHG emitter, energy producer and energy consumer; investigating its energy-climate policy developments and international positions are of utmost importance to understand and tackle current stumbling blocks of the global energy and climate governance.