Brazil has officially joined OPEC+, the coalition of major oil-exporting nations, marking a significant shift in its energy policy just months before hosting the United Nations’ annual climate summit. The National Council for Energy Policy approved the move, responding to an invitation extended in 2023. Despite this new affiliation, Brazil will not be subject to binding production cuts, as clarified by Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira. He described OPEC+ as “a forum for discussing strategies among oil-producing countries,” emphasizing Brazil’s need for growth and job creation.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during his third term starting in 2023, has positioned himself as an environmental advocate, focusing on reducing Amazon deforestation and protecting Indigenous rights. However, he argues that increased oil revenues are essential to fund Brazil’s transition to green energy. Recently, he has urged environmental regulators to approve exploratory drilling near the Amazon River’s mouth, a region renowned for its biodiversity.
As the world’s seventh-largest oil producer, Brazil contributes approximately 4.3 million barrels daily, accounting for 4% of global output. In 2024, crude oil surpassed soy as the country’s top export, comprising 13.3% of foreign sales.
This decision has sparked criticism, especially with Brazil set to host the UN climate summit, COP30, in November. The summit’s primary focus is reducing fossil fuel usage to combat climate change. Suely Araújo, a spokesperson for the Climate Observatory—a network of 133 environmental and civil society groups—expressed concern, stating that Brazil’s move indicates a reliance on outdated solutions in the face of current environmental challenges.
