ClimaBrasil Panel: Court of Accounts to Assess Climate Change Action

On February 18, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) launched the ClimaBrasil Panel (“Painel ClimaBrasil”). This initiative will enable courts of accounts across the country to conduct assessments aimed at improving environmental and climate-related public policies. The President of the TCU, Minister Vital do Rêgo, opened the event.

The ClimaBrasil Panel is the national adaptation of ClimateScanner, a project coordinated by the TCU as Chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). 

Data from assessments carried out by courts will be consolidated into a national overview of climate actions taken by Brazilian governments. The results will be presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for November 2025 in the city of Belém, Pará.

Currently, 141 countries have joined the ClimateScanner initiative, with 64 having already submitted their evaluations of government actions on climate change. The ClimaBrasil Panel will facilitate reliable and evidence-based assessments of measures adopted by states and municipalities. The goal is for courts of accounts to contribute to building a more cohesive and integrated climate governance framework in the country, tailored to local realities.

Minister Vital do Rêgo highlighted that this initiative will not only allow for a comparative assessment of climate policies but also help identify priority areas that require further development and improvement. He stated during the opening session, "This initiative goes beyond being just a diagnostic tool; it will act as a mechanism for refining audit strategies and providing support to governments."

The ClimaBrasil Panel will also support the Executive Branch in guiding public policies and assist the Legislative Branch in formulating regulatory frameworks and overseeing climate actions taken by governments. Another key benefit is to increase civil society engagement, fostering greater awareness and public participation in environmental matters.

Marina Silva, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, attended the event and highlighted the significance of the project. She remarked, “By expanding this global initiative and involving subnational governments, we set a powerful example of leadership. As we move forward, the world will increasingly require mechanisms that focus not only on audit but also on enhanced monitoring. We must start thinking, just as the TCU did with ClimateScanner, about innovative and disruptive initiatives to address the challenges of this century.”

Like the ClimateScanner initiative, the ClimaBrasil Panel is structured around three key pillars:

• Governance, which evaluates aspects such as legislation, risk management, government structures, and strategy;
• Public policies, which analyse mitigation and adaptation plans;
• Financing, which assesses budget allocations, financial transfers, and private sector mobilization.

Next Steps for the ClimaBrasil Panel

Before the results are presented at COP30, the TCU will organize a methodology validation workshop in March. In May, a training workshop on the tool will take place. The final deadline for assessments is set for August