Municipality of Betim

About

Betim is a mid-size city located in the Brazilian state of Minais Gerais, and is part of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. An industrial city, it is the eighth largest economy in the country with a car assembly plant and an oil refinery accounting for 80% of the city’s tax base; 73% of its 320,000 inhabitants live below the poverty line, in part due to the population boom that accompanied the growth in the city's industrial sectors. An ICLEI Member and Cities for Climate Protection participant, Betim has developed innovative dry and organic waste collection and recycling system, a strong environmental education program, energy efficient public lighting, ecological parks, and other projects intended to promote the wellbeing of citizens and their surroundings. In addition, the municipality has completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and is currently working on a Local Climate Action Plan.