In 2009, the Sao Paulo city council approved a law specifying greenhouse gas reduction. The policy aims to reduce Sao Paulo's citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 30% of 2005 levels by 2012. Improvements of the air quality, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are expected.
Source: World Resources Institute (2011) A Compilation of Green Economy Policies, Programs, and Initiatives from Around the World. The Green Economy in Practice: Interactive Workshop 1, February 11th, 2011

In 2009, the Sao Paulo city council unanimously approved a law establishing the Municipal Policy for Climate Change. The policy aims to reduce Sao Paulo's citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 30% of 2005 levels by 2012 through several measures comprehensively focused on transportation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, construction and land use. Sao Paulo is the first city in Brazil to pass such legislation.

The aims of the law are as follows:

• Improvements in indoor and outdoor air quality from increased green space and construction material quality regulations;
  
  
• Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions;
  
  
• Improvements to public transportation access and use;
  
  
• Landfill waste reduction;
  
  
• Reductions in deforestation due to requirements for certified wood for use in construction;
  
  
• Improvements to market share for renewable fuels.