Photo courtesy of Beatriz Azevedo de Araújo
Beatriz Azevedo de Araújo is an environmental lawyer, climate change expert, and youth advocate from Brazil. In a GEF Youth Voices interview, she shared life lessons from her efforts to promote nature-based solutions to climate change and desertification in her home state of Ceará, and to ensure young people get a seat at the table in environmental decision-making, both nationally and internationally.
What does your work entail?
I come from a civil society background. I was one of the first coordinators of the Brazilian non-governmental organization Engajamundo, which focuses on engaging youth with UN processes. I also co-founded the Verdeluz Institute, a civil society organization focused on environmental protection and advocacy in the state of Ceará. These experiences have given me up-close perspectives on complex issues such as desertification and climate change.
Currently, I serve as the president of the Environmental Law Commission at the Brazilian Bar Association, which gives me a seat on the Environmental Council of the State of Ceará. In this role, I oversee the environmental licensing of sustainable development projects, and develop position papers representing civil society’s perspective on these projects.
As a consultant, I also collaborate with the private sector to promote financial solutions to tackle climate change and desertification. I am currently working with sanitation companies in Brazil to promote nature-based solutions and decarbonization technologies, such as biogas systems. Additionally, I am collaborating with the Brazilian Association of Sanitation Companies to create an advocacy strategy on climate change ahead of COP30.
How do these efforts relate to the Global Environment Facility?
The GEF is one of the most relevant funding mechanisms for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification — areas to which I’ve dedicated my career. Through my experiences working in civil society, I have realized how crucial funding mechanisms are to solving environmental problems. Public budgets are often constrained, leaving little room for environmental initiatives. In this context, international funding sources like the GEF play a pivotal role in driving change where inertia often prevails. My work aligns closely with the GEF, as I now focus on developing financial strategies for sustainable projects in Brazil, especially in my home state of Ceará.
Could you describe a project or issue you are currently focused on?
Ceará’s state sanitation company, CAGECE, developed a biogas technology in partnership with Ceará’s Federal University. I am working on a financing strategy to implement and scale this technology, which will help reduce emissions in the sanitation sector. CAGECE is also piloting nature-based solutions in sanitation, and I am part of the technical team evaluating the feasibility of these projects. Additionally, I collaborate with the Brazilian Association of Sanitation Companies to explore green development opportunities for the sector, including green hydrogen generation, carbon market projects, and the use of biogas technology.
How did you get into this line of work?
I’ve always been passionate about nature. Growing up in Ceará, I was surrounded by beaches, dunes, and forests, which shaped my connection with the environment. When I started studying environmental law in university, it became clear that I wanted to use it as a tool to promote environmental protection and social justice. Everything I’ve done since then has been a consequence of this passion.
Is there a GEF-supported project, program, or initiative that is especially close to your heart?
A few come to mind. First, the Caatinga Protected Areas Program stands out because the Caatinga is the predominant biome in northeastern Brazil, including Ceará. It is a unique ecosystem found nowhere else on the planet, with high biodiversity. Creating and managing protected areas is essential for preserving biodiversity, especially in the face of advancing desertification and climate change in the region.
Second, the Biogas Application for the Brazilian Agro-Industry resonates with me because of my work with biogas in the sanitation sector. Biogas offers a clear win for emission reduction, transforming waste into energy and generating value from what would otherwise be a pollutant. I strongly believe that circular economy initiatives like this are the best way to promote sustainable solutions.
Finally, the Reversing Desertification Process in Susceptible Areas of Brazil (REDESER) initiative is close to my heart because I believe that agroforestry and biodiversity conservation are two of the most effective ways to combat desertification while also generating social co-benefits. Initiatives like these create long-lasting positive impacts.
Is there someone you’ve met through your work who has had a lasting impact on you?
I would say the local leaders from rural, traditional, and Indigenous communities. Their traditional knowledge often surpasses academic understanding of the social and environmental dynamics in their territories. Every time I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with these leaders, it has been a deeply enriching experience.
Photo courtesy of Beatriz Azevedo de Araújo
What life lessons has your work taught you?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to remain open to new ideas and be a lifelong learner. Working on complex issues like climate change and desertification over many years can sometimes lead to discouragement, as these challenges can feel overwhelming. However, I’ve realized that I am responsible for driving part of the change I want to see. If I stay committed to my mission, I will be fulfilling my role in achieving a greater outcome, and this gives me a sense of purpose. Practicing my spirituality also keeps my hope alive.
