Collaboration will shape the new economy

Until recently, people thought that in a forest, each tree was competing with the others. They would compete for more sunlight, more space in the soil, and to receive more nutrients.

But Suzanne Simard, a professor from the University of British Columbia, has proven this to be a mistake. Trees can compete, but mostly they collaborate. If you look beneath the soil, there is a massive network. This network allows trees to communicate, share information, and exchange resources.

Mother trees, as defined by Suzanne, are key to improve the way new trees survive to adversities and become resilient. Trees are not independent, they are interconnected. And this interconnection makes the forest survive, it makes the forest stronger. We, as humans, have a lot to learn from the forests. Because we will only survive and become stronger if we are able to collaborate, as well. To succeed as a planet, we will have to put down what we built to separate us. There is no meaning to keep our divisions.? It doesnt matter where we live, where we were born.? If we are from a developed or a developing country, from the north or the south, from the west or the east.?

Nevertheless, let’s face the brutal facts. Divisions are particularly happening when people are in fear. And we seem to be living in an age of fear. Fear to be hungry when the next El Nino arrives, fear of being hit by an unpredictable war, fear of not having heat enough to go through winter, fear of the next natural disaster, that will certainly happen, fear of having even more people dragged into poverty.? July alone was the month when we saw some extreme records being broken – the highest temperatures, the worse climate disasters.

If we want to change this scenario, we must cooperate. That does not mean we won't have competition anymore. But there is a way to do that. Competition is not bad - in the right form. To find solutions to climate change, for example, it was the competition among companies that led us to develop new technologies and new business models. Competition for more investments has also led to improved green policies among countries. New legal frameworks and development models have emerged. But competition alone won’t be enough. Collaboration is the key.?

Looking back to the first time we met on the Brazil Climate Summit , one year ago, we have made significant progress in many fields. But the path to decarbonize the global economy is not on the right speed. The United Nations just called countries for more action, on all fronts. If we aim to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals, we will have to accelerate our efforts and bring everyone together. And by including everyone, it does not mean treating all countries on the same way. Different countries have different needs and realities. Collaboration means that each country will do its part, on the best way that is possible.?

Recently, G20 brought attention to the need to help the most vulnerable economies. And the development of new financing alternatives. We need to move fast to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.

What is the role of Brazil in fostering this movement? We have the chance to lead by example and become essential part of this new global effort. Basically, it is about the time to turn plans into actions and play a leading role in the new industrial revolution. We have a lot to offer to the world, undoubtedly.?

During the Brazil Climate Summit, we presented arguments to justify why Brazil should focus on 3 main approaches.?

1. Brazil must reduce its emissions

CO2 emissions in Brazil mostly come from the land use. It means that protecting the Amazon and other biomes is a must. What we did up to this point on preserving the forests is not enough. And part relevant of the solution is the creation of economically viable models for the people in our forests. Brazil is recognized as a commodity superpower producer, capable to feed a relevant part of the world. What we need to learn and adopt, starting now, is to keep improving our efficiency, producing more with less.

2. Brazil can and will be a hub of solutions for the world

Among large economies, Brazil has, by far, the cleanest energy energy grid in the world. Last year, 92% of the electricity produced in Brazil came from renewable sources - most developed countries want to achieve this in 20-30 years from now. Besides, our potential to expand the clean energy production is enormous! We can be home to different industries, from a wide range of sectors, interested in remodeling their way of doing business. Brazil also has an immense experience with biofuels, which will be fundamental to a green transition. And we are also rich on critical minerals, that will support this revolution. I could list several other areas in which we have a good starting point.?

3. Enforce a Collaborative Culture of doing business

Over the coming years, the world has to prove that a new economic development model is possible. A model through which we regenerate our planet, while enhancing living conditions to the people. This can only be achieved through a culture of collaboration. Brazil will lead the G20, is leading the Mercosur, and will host COP 30. We have the responsibility to foster regional solutions and influence new regulatory frameworks in the green transition. Our country has the opportunity to shape a culture of collaboration in geopolitics.

The message to business leaders, entrepreneurs, students, academia, policymakers, investors from different countries, to you is:

We are facing our greatest challenge as humans. We can still succeed - but it will require a global effort. If only a few economies succeed in reducing their emissions while others fail, we will all fail collectively. Since we must recalibrate our economies at breakneck speed, we need to redefine how we interact in this world.?

For the first time ever, the isolated efforts of one country won't be enough. We are facing a new paradigm and I invite you to bring this conversation to the table: collaborative competition or competitive collaboration – you name it. There is an urgent reflection: how can we speed up the solution to some specific or sector related challenge by collaborating while competing? Lets get practical about it.

Brazil Climate Summit is part of this new way of being in the world. It was collaboration that brought us here. To all my colleagues on this journey, thank you! Thanks to our board members, executive team, and every volunteer: your tireless efforts have brought this event to life. We have worked hard for an entire year because we believe this discussion is fundamental and because we believe that Brazil has a role to play.

John Lennon once said he was a dreamer, but that he was not the only one. And he had a vision of a united planet, where all people could live as one. The time to realize Lennon's dream has come. More than ever, we need to live as one, and we need to act. FAST.

Brazil Climate Summit 2024 is ahead and we will work to make it happens.?

Let's shape our shared destiny.

Let’s live as one.