Na COP, the JBS Fund for the Amazon signs the Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change.

Andrea Azevedo, the Executive Director of the JBS Fund for the Amazon, participated in the launch of the Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change alongside other Private Social Investors and civil society organizations active in the philanthropic sector. This event took place on Wednesday (06) during COP-28 in Dubai. The document, which was signed by 28 organizations working in the field, was mobilized by the Group of Institutes, Foundations, and Companies (GIFE). In addition to the JBS Fund for the Amazon, signatories included institutions such as the Banco do Brasil Foundation, José Luiz Egydio Setubal Foundation, Brazil Foundation, Vale Fund, Bem Maior Movement, Tide Setubal Foundation, Roberto Marinho Foundation, and Morning Rooster Institute, among others. The document highlights that Brazilian philanthropy has the chance to advocate for and influence practical and consistent commitments from a new development perspective, playing a supportive yet strategic role in achieving national goals. It also aims to act as a catalyst for national and international financial resources, supporting the strengthening of local governments' abilities to formulate, implement, and evaluate policies and action plans. Structured around eight action axes, the Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change outlines measures aimed at education and learning about the causes, impacts, and systemic solutions to climate change and its implications for work; allocation of financial resources and efforts to accelerate climate change mitigation; a systemic vision of initiatives for a world with net-zero emissions; heritage, funds, and financial assets for reducing the impacts of climate change; measures to minimize the climate impact of operations developed by the philanthropic sector itself; articulation, influence, and advocacy for joint and collaborative action; positioning and identity/uniqueness to diversify and complement visions and approaches in the climate agenda; and continuous learning and transparency in actions taken. According to Andrea Azevedo, the Executive Director of the JBS Fund for the Amazon, the commitment signed contributes to the sector's orchestration in addressing climate change. "To ensure financial resources generate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, and socio-environmental sustainability in the context of the climate emergency, we need to organize ourselves. Only with a collective spirit can we achieve a climate justice agenda." The document was launched during the "Philanthropies of the global south: What's happening?" meeting — one of the activities promoted by GIFE during COP 28. As a national reference in strengthening philanthropy and representing more than 170 institutions that account for a significant portion of the Brazilian economy, GIFE participated in the World Climate Conference for the second consecutive year. The goal is to increase the engagement of Private Social Investment (ISP) in tackling climate change. Among the meeting's participants were the superintendent of Education and Work of the Itaú Foundation, Ana Inoue; the secretary-general of the Roberto Marinho Foundation, João Alegria; the director of the JBS Fund for the Amazon, Andrea Azevedo; and the general coordinator of the Positive Fund, Harley Nascimento. The "GIFE Mission at COP 28" was coordinated by the entity's secretary-general, Cassio França. This year, the organization brought representatives from the Votorantim Institute, Itaú Foundation, Elas+ Fund, Roberto Marinho Foundation, Positive Fund, Sitawi Finances for Good, Mattos Filho Lawyers, and Vector Brazil/Institute Gesture to Dubai. "Since last year, especially during COP 27, Brazilian philanthropy has been taking bolder initiatives in addressing climate change," highlighted Cassio França. The GIFE secretary-general noted that Brazil is the first country from the global south to make such a mobilization movement through a national philanthropy commitment. Until now, only countries from the north have mobilized in this way, such as Canada, Spain, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. "The Private Social Investment can and should offer relevant contributions so that climate justice, one of our pillars of action, is truly ensured in Brazil, the global south, and worldwide," emphasized the GIFE secretary-general. GIFE — The Group of Institutes, Foundations, and Companies represents a significant portion of ISP in Brazil. For 28 years, GIFE has connected and mobilized companies, institutes, and foundations to invest their own resources and/or carry out actions and projects of public interest in health, racial and gender equity, education, climate justice, sustainability, and youth support, among others. In 2022 alone, R$ 4.8 billion were mobilized for philanthropic actions by institutions associated with GIFE. Compared to 2019, this Private Social Investment saw growth of over 30%, as revealed by the new GIFE Census data presented by the entity last week.