Title: Energy transition: the nexus between poverty and CO₂ emissions in Brazil

Authors: Marcio Giannini Pereira; Neiton Fidelis Da Silva; Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos Freitas

Addresses: Electric Power Research Center (Eletrobras Cepel), Av. Horacio de Macedo N. 354 – Sala C-22, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-911, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Energy Planning Program (PPE), Coordination of Postgraduate Programs in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Bloco C, Sala C-211, C.P. 68565, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' International Virtual Institute of Global Change-IVIG, Centro de Tecnologia Bloco I – Sala 129, C.P. 68501 Cidade Universitária, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), R. Raimundo Firmino de Oliveira, 400 – Conjunto Ulrick Graff – CEP: 59015-300, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil ' Energy Planning Program (PPE), Coordination of Postgraduate Programs in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Bloco C, Sala C-211, C.P. 68565, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; International Virtual Institute of Global Change- IVIG, Centro de Tecnologia Bloco I – Sala 129, C.P. 68501 Cidade Universitária, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brazilian Research Network on Global Climate Change– Avenida dos Astronautas, 1758 – Jardim da Granja, CEP: 12227-010 – São José dos Campos – SP/Brazil

Abstract: The transition to modern sources of energy, especially electricity, contributes not only to alleviate energy poverty, but also to meet the basic needs of the rural population and reduce emissions. Given the complexity of energy choices, the dynamics of the rural population in Brazil is relevant for the evaluation of the effects of regular and safe access to electricity. Few authors have discussed the real (net) contributions of rural electrification on the transition to more modern energy sources and its impacts on CO₂ emissions, considering its harmful health effects. As a result, this paper aims to investigate the impact of regular and safe access to electricity on the rural population of Brazil, in a transition to more modern sources of energy, as well as to provide a CO₂ emission assessment.

Keywords: energy transition; energy poverty; rural electrification; climate changes; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2019.100398

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2019 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.376 - 391

Received: 12 Jun 2018
Accepted: 24 Jul 2018
Published online: 28 Jun 2019 *

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