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Large-scale green grabbing for wind and solar photovoltaic development in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Klingler

    (BOKU University)

  • Nadia Ameli

    (University College London)

  • Jamie Rickman

    (University College London)

  • Johannes Schmidt

    (BOKU University)

Abstract

Large-scale wind and solar photovoltaic infrastructures are rapidly expanding in Brazil. These low-carbon technologies can exacerbate land struggles rooted in historical inequities in landownership, lack of regulation and weak governance. Here we trace how green grabbing—that is, the large-scale appropriation and control of (undesignated) public lands, both formally legal and illicit, for the development of wind and solar photovoltaic power—has developed in Brazil from 2000 to 2021. We find that global investors and owners, mainly from Europe, are involved in 78% of wind and 96% of solar photovoltaic parks, occupying 2,148 km2 and 102 km2 of land, respectively. We also show that land privatization is the prevalent land tenure regime for securing land, indicating substantial transformations of prior (undesignated) public and common lands. We conclude that green grabbing is a persistent, critical phenomenon in Brazil, requiring transparency and vigilant monitoring of land claims and tenure modifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Klingler & Nadia Ameli & Jamie Rickman & Johannes Schmidt, 2024. "Large-scale green grabbing for wind and solar photovoltaic development in Brazil," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(6), pages 747-757, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:6:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01346-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01346-2
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