Socio-environmental conflicts and the implantation of wind farms in the Brazilian Northeast

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50468

Keywords:

Wind energy, Local communities, Environmental Injustice, Energy crisis, Renewable energy

Abstract

Wind energy is already quite relevant in the Brazilian electrical matrix, especially when analysing the country's Northeast region. This expansion of wind sources gained even more strength with the development of renewable sources in an international context of negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the implementation and operation of wind farms generate significant socio- environmental impacts on the population around these large enterprises. This research analysed academic articles that portray negative socio-environmental impacts caused by the installation and operation of wind farms in the Northeast of Brazil to address the local conflicts resulting from them situations of environmental injustice. A typology of identified conflicts is presented, classified into four categories: economic, water, land and health and wellness, demonstrating a clear scenario of environmental injustice.

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Author Biographies

Sônia Regina Paulino, PhD in Economics,Associate Professor, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Associate professor at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH) / University of São Paulo (USP). Areas of interest: voluntary sustainability standards, environmental certification, service economy, innovation in services, market mechanisms, sustainable development.

Amanda Vitoria Silva Paz, nvironmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH) of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Areas of interest: environmental and climate justice, ecofeminism and environmental education.

André Ferreira de Castilho, Master’s in Law Student, Environmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Master’s student at the Law School of the University of São Paulo (USP) and Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Environmental lawyer in São Paulo, Brazil. Areas of interest: waste management, climate change, carbon markets, energy transition.

Daniel Bezerra do Nascimento, Environmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil E-mail: bezerra.daniel@usp.br

Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Areas of interest: sustainable development, ecological economics, energy transition, environmental justice, water resources, and climate change.

Miguel Quartieri dos Santos, Environmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Areas of interest: sustainable development, ecological economics, energy transition, environmental justice, environmental education, and climate change.

Nicole Lorellai Molizane Delatore, Environmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Areas of interest: sustainable development, ESG, sustainable economy, energy transition and sustainable innovation. 

Renelle Gomes Teixeira, Environmental Management Student, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Environmental Management student at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Areas of interest: sustainable development, energy transition, sustainable energy, climate change and sustainable innovation.

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Published

2023-12-10

How to Cite

Paulino, S. R., Paz, A. V. S., Castilho, A. F. de, Nascimento, D. B. do, Santos, M. Q. dos, Delatore, N. L. M., & Teixeira, R. G. (2023). Socio-environmental conflicts and the implantation of wind farms in the Brazilian Northeast. Sustainability in Debate, 14(3), 21–51. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50468

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2023): Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate

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