Social features of energy production and use in Brazil: Goals for a sustainable energy future

• Published in: Natural resources forum Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 11 - 20
• Main Authors: Da Costa, Márcio Macedo, Cohen, Claude, Schaeffer, Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2007; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Economic data; Energy; Energy and social issues; Energy consumption; Energy economics; Energy policy; Energy production and use in Brazil; Energy use and income distribution; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Inequality; Sustainable development; Sustainable energy development; South America; Brazil; America; Energy consumption; Socioeconomic impact; Sustainable energy development; Social acceptability; Accessibility; Power production; Energy economy; Biomass; Biodiesel; Energy source; Hydraulic power; Nuclear energy; Energy use and income distribution; Renewable energy; Environment impact; Coal; Energy and social issues; Sugar cane; Energy production and use in Brazil; Social aspect; Public health; Charcoal; Residential sector
• ISSN: 0165-0203; 1477-8947
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2007.00134.x

This paper focuses on the social features of ene rgy production and use in Brazil and discusses the role of the energy policy goals of accessibility, affordability and acceptability in defining a sustainable energy future for the country. The major findings are that social inequalities in Brazil regarding energy use continue to be substantial and important. This can be explained by the fact that, although recent decades have seen significant improvements in energy accessibility all over the country, much more needs to be done to provide affordable, and socially acceptable modern energy carriers to all socio‐economic groups in all regions.