Brazil Economic Development Trade Mission

We  started our day at the Bandeirantes Landfill.  Brazil has two of the largest landfills in the world, of which Bandeirantes is one.  The waste generated over the last 20 years is up to more than 320 feet in places.  The landfill has reached its capacity and has 28 million tons of garbage.  A waste management company, Biogas, generates electricity from the landfill gas.  Biogas runs the largest landfill gas recuperation plant in the world at Bandeirantes.  The technology of converting landfill gas to energy is not new to the U.S., in fact we do it in Indiana, but Brazil participates in the Kyoto Protocol unlike the U.S.  Countries participating in the Kyoto Protocol make a legal binding commitment to reduce various greenhouse gases and gases produced by industrial nations.  Participating countries can earn carbon credits that they then can sell to other participating countries.  Brazil raised $40 million during their first two carbon credit auctions.
 
We spent the afternoon at the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), which represents 127 sugarcane producers and mills.  UNICA members account for more than 50 percent of all ethanol produced in Brazil and 60 percent of overall sugar production.  I can't overstate the importance of sugarcane production in Brazil.  The Brazilian sugarcane industry is 500 years old, which is as old as the country itself.  Of course, some of the issues facing the industry have changed and UNICA helps members with environmental, energy, technology, international trade, sustainability and communication issues.
 
Because of all the ethanol produced in Brazil, flex-fuel cars are heavily used here.  Almost every filling station has both a gas pump (which still use some ethanol) and an ethanol pump.  There are over 25,000 filling stations that sell ethanol in Brazil.  The U.S. uses flex-fuel cars, but we have less than 1,000 filling stations that offer ethanol pumps.  Interestingly, Brazil's public transportation system doesn't use flex-fuel transporters.  They have recently begun the process to change to flex-fuel, but it will take time.
 
We left for Rio de Janeiro in the evening, but not before I was able to truly enjoy some legendary Brazilian coffee.  They serve their coffee like we serve our espresso and they use a lot of sugar.  Delicious!  I look forward to the sun and learning experiences that Rio de Janeiro has to offer!