Brazil’s Mutirão Program Fast-Tracks Climate Action in Over 30 Cities and Regions

CURITIBA, Brazil – Over 30 Brazilian cities and two states have been selected to accelerate high-impact climate action projects under the Brazil Mutirão Program, a national initiative led by C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The first cohort of 34 cities and the states of Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul will receive technical and finance-structuring support to deliver implementation-ready climate initiatives by 2027. The selected projects primarily focus on three key areas: urban mobility, waste management, and climate budgeting.

A significant emphasis has been placed on the Amazon region, with 11 Amazonian cities participating, underscoring its strategic importance following Belém’s hosting of COP30 last year. Six of these Amazonian municipalities will also receive support to develop comprehensive Climate Action Plans.

Key Projects and Expected Impact

The announced projects reflect Brazil’s territorial diversity and are expected to deliver substantial climate and urban development outcomes:

• Urban Mobility: Initiatives include the electrification of Belo Horizonte’s bus system with 100 electric buses, and the revitalization of Belém’s historic commercial center. Across all mobility projects, the program is expected to facilitate the deployment of approximately 600 electric buses, over 200 km of cycling infrastructure, and 16 km of dedicated bus lanes.
• Waste Management: Projects, such as composting in Curitiba and the Amazonian city of Ananindeua, are anticipated to enable the treatment of about 20,000 tons of organic waste annually, potentially avoiding up to 35,000 tons of CO₂e in methane emissions per year.
• Food Waste Reduction: The state of Rio Grande do Sul will expand food bank refrigeration and processing capacity to prevent more than 240 tons of edible food waste annually.

Leadership and Cooperation

The program was announced during the General Assembly of the National Front of Mayors (FNP) in Curitiba, highlighting the need for multi-level partnerships in climate action.

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, praised the initiative, stating that Brazilian mayors “are helping to lead the way with projects that cut emissions, strengthen local infrastructure, and create economic opportunity for communities.”

Ana Toni, CEO of COP30, emphasized the critical role of local government, noting, “Cities are where the fight against climate change is won or lost, and mayors are proving that local leadership can turn climate ambition into real progress for people.”

The Brazil Mutirão Program strengthens cooperation between Brazil’s national and local governments, acting as a practical blueprint to mobilize technical expertise and strategic partnerships to accelerate urban climate solutions across the country.