Vital do Rêgo Presents Climate Action Initiatives to the COP30 President

On February 21, the President of the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), Minister Vital do Rêgo, met with Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil (MRE) and President-designate of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). The event will take place in November in the city of Belém, Pará.

During the meeting, Minister Vital do Rêgo outlined the Court's major initiatives to tackle climate change, including the launch of the ClimaBrasil Panel (Painel ClimaBrasil). This panel is the national adaptation of ClimateScanner, a global tool coordinated by the TCU as the Chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). He stressed the project's significance for Brazil, especially with the upcoming COP30. According to him, “COP30 will be an opportunity to demonstrate Brazil's genuine commitment to environmental sustainability and energy transition, with the panel serving as an example to our engagement in this cause.”

At COP30, TCU will present its initiatives, including the results of the global climate audit, the ClimateScanner, the Energy Transition Practical Guide for SAIs, and the ClimaBrasil Panel.

The President of COP30 highlighted that TCU’s initiatives demonstrate how climate issues have been integrated into institutional work and stressed the importance of ensuring the continuity of such projects. "One of the most critical aspects of our institutions is their role as state institutions, ensuring that fundamental issues transcend political cycles and providing long-term stability and continuity for Brazil," the ambassador remarked.

Another key topic discussed was the need for governments to prioritize disaster prevention measures rather than focusing solely on damage remediation. "We have seen events over the past year that, despite being tragic, have made the public clearly understand the difference between mitigation and the need for adaptation. For instance, the case of dried-up rivers in the Amazon, where the only viable solution is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent climate change. Meanwhile, an extreme case of adaptation was the situation in Porto Alegre, where certain measures could have significantly reduced the risks," the diplomat pointed out.

The three initiatives presented by Minister Vital do Rêgo provide preventive measures for governments on a global scale. These measures can be assessed and monitored by Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) worldwide, as well as by Brazilian courts of accounts. "This leadership is a remarkable tool of foreign policy. I believe Brazil will become international reference, and I hope COP30 will be the opportunity to demonstrate that," concluded the COP30 President.

What is the ClimaBrasil Panel?

The ClimaBrasil Panel is the national adaptation of the ClimateScanner initiative, a project coordinated by the TCU as Chair of INTOSAI. This national version will enable courts of accounts across Brazil to conduct diagnostics to assess environmental and climate-related public policies. The data from these assessments will be consolidated into a national overview of climate actions undertaken by Brazilian governments. The results will be presented at COP30.

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.

Practical Guide for Energy Transition

The Practical Guide for Energy Transition for Supreme Audit Institutions was developed by TCU to assist in evaluating and monitoring changes related to energy transition. The tool aims to support not only SAIs but also policymakers, public administrators, civil society organizations, and citizens.

Through a collaborative approach, the guide seeks to enhance the governance of energy policies and ensure that the transition to cleaner energy sources aligns with global climate goals.