GHG mitigation in the construction industry – analysis of the efficiency of legislation in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

In the year of 2007 a Protocol of Intentions was organized to set up mitigation engagement for the global warming effects in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in 2007. However, targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) were only established in 2009 through the "Sustainable Rio Program”. One of the actions set out under the Protocol and the Program is the legal determination of the compensation of GHG emissions by the civil construction sector, through planting trees. This article examines the evolution of this legal framework and investigates the effectiveness of Law 613/84 and Decree 31.180/09, under the environmental point of view, in relation to the dynamics of CO2.These legal instruments determine planting trees by the civil construction sector, in an amount calculated based on the total area of construction. The analysis was focused on the period from January to July 2010, which corresponds to the first semester after legal determination of the compensation of GHG emissions by the civil construction sector through planting trees. In the analysis we compared the estimates of emissions by new constructions licensed by the City Hall in the first six months of institutionalization of the emissions offsetting scheme and the estimate of total carbon to be sequestered by planting trees, legally required in the licensing of buildings. This analysis shows that current legislation is ineffective in offsetting the emissions generated in licensed buildings in the city of Rio de Janeiro, through planting of trees.