Belo Horizonte has reason to celebrate: it has been chosen by an international jury as the Brazilian Capital of Earth Hour, an event organized annually by WWF in various countries to raise awareness about the consequences of global warming. The title was awarded within the framework of the "Earth Hour: City Challenge" initiative, carried out in partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, which, in its third year, selected capitals from 14 countries for their work towards sustainable development.

The capital of Minas Gerais competed nationally against Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the other two Brazilian finalists – Brazil was participating in the Cities Challenge for the first time. Porto Alegre (RS), Manaus (AM), Fortaleza (CE), Betim (MG), and Sorocaba (SP) also participated. Initiatives from the eight cities were reported by local governments on the Cities Climate Registry platform, carbon.n, Internationally recognized and managed by ICLEI, relevant data on GHG emissions, ongoing plans and actions for the transition to a more balanced climate, and a possible future for the planet were presented.

According to the technical opinion of the international jury, composed of experts, Belo Horizonte “presents an integrated low-carbon strategy, guided by a strong vision and built through concrete actions.” Among the examples cited for the victory of the capital of Minas Gerais are the photovoltaic solar power plant installed on the roof of Mineirão, one of the stadiums of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the fact that solar thermal energy has developed adequately in the city. Belo Horizonte is considered a benchmark in the application of solar collectors for water heating and in the number of existing multi-family buildings using the technology – currently, there are approximately 3,000 residential buildings.

Another point highlighted is the Energy Efficiency Program of CEMIG (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais), in which a portion of the company's profit is allocated to research and development. Finally, the judges state that the city "demonstrates great local leadership in climate action within an emerging economy.".

This was the first time Brazil participated in the competition. Seeking best practices for mitigating and adapting to climate change, the Cities Challenge evaluated investments in restructuring energy matrices towards clean sources. “With the Cities Challenge, we go beyond Earth Hour, aiming to stimulate the creation and dissemination of best practices for mitigating and adapting to climate change through ambitious, inspiring, and feasible plans for the development of a low-carbon economy,” says the Secretary-General of WWF-Brazil, Maria Cecília Wey de Brito.

“It is essential that cities face the challenge posed by climate change, but also seize the opportunity to become innovative and smart cities, adopting low-carbon urban development patterns. The first edition of the Challenge in Brazil shows us that there are excellent examples of cities playing a leading role, measuring their emissions and building comprehensive plans to address climate change, by making their information and actions public through the Carbon Cities Climate Registry.”n (cCCR), inspire their peers to follow the same path,” comments Florence Laloe, Executive Secretary of ICLEI – Secretariat for South America.

Source: WWF Brazil