Author: Quézia Arruda
Jul 23, 2024 14:19 2 min read The Brazilian Central Bank’s regional economic activity index (IBCR) reveals a significant 9 percent economic contraction in Rio Grande do Sul in May. This decline, attributed to severe floods impacting infrastructure, agriculture, and industries, marks the largest decrease since the index’s inception in 2002. Despite the negative impact, recent data suggests signs of recovery. Retail sales saw a 1.2 percent year-on-year increase, while the lodging industry experienced a decline. Financial institutions and consulting firms estimate a potential 0.2 to 0.3 percentage point reduction in this year’s GDP due to the floods, but growth…
Jul 07, 2024 12:30 4 min read (Updated: Jul 07, 2024 12:31) The recent catastrophic floods in southern Brazil highlighted the severe impacts of climate change, especially on the human cost. Beyond immediate consequences, changing climate patterns are forecasted to have long-term effects on Brazil’s infrastructure, specifically its highway network. A recent economic policy note by the Research Center for Macroeconomics of Inequalities at the University of São Paulo (MADE-USP) revealed that extreme weather events have significantly compromised Brazil’s highways, increasing their vulnerability. With 54% of cargo transportation relying on roads, and a stark jump to 73% when excluding iron…