From Policy to Practice : Tools for Climate‑Responsive Procurement and Public Asset Management in Brazilian States

Overview & Synopsis

From Policy to Practice was developed under the World Bank’s Whole of Economy (WOE) Program to help Brazilian states translate climate commitments into actionable practices through public procurement and public asset management. While Brazil has established strong climate policy frameworks aligned with the Paris Agreement, the National Policy on Climate Change (PNMC), and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), implementation at the state level remains uneven. The report highlights the strategic role of public procurement and asset management in advancing climate goals, improving fiscal efficiency, strengthening infrastructure resilience, and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 12. It examines the challenges states face in integrating climate considerations into routine decision-making and provides practical guidance to bridge the gap between policy ambition and operational implementation, enabling more sustainable and climate-responsive public sector management. A diagnostic assessment of climate management maturity across Brazilian states reveals notable progress in policy formulation; 21 of the 27 states have adopted climate policies or action plans. However, the assessment also highlights a persistent gap between policy intent and implementation. Climate objectives are not yet systematically embedded in the tactical and operational layers of procurement and asset management, largely due to the absence of standardized rules, workflows, and decision tools. This Guide was developed to address that gap. Its purpose is to support states in operationalizing climate mitigation and adaptation by embedding climate considerations into everyday public management practices. Combining a concise analytical foundation with practical, tested tools, the Guide promotes a cycle of continuous improvement that links procurement planning, asset performance, monitoring, and learning, enabling states to move decisively from policy to practice.