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Paper short abstract

The paper analyzes (1) persistent power structures (re)produced through multinational-led discourses in the Brazilian wind energy sector, and (2) local civil society engagement challenging these hierarchies at both the discursive and action-oriented levels.

Paper long abstract

This paper explores the dynamics between multinationals and civil society movements contesting green grabbing, illustrated by the case of Brazil. Green grabbing is not a new phenomenon in the country; however, the recent expansion of wind farms has exerted additional pressure on local communities, particularly in the Northeast. Between 2011 and 2021, the share of wind power in the country’s electricity generation capacity increased from 1.2% to 11.4%. While 89% of wind farms are officially claimed to be run by Brazilian companies, 68% are subsidiaries of mainly European corporations. Affected neighbouring communities are sparsely compensated. Instead, they face exclusion from deliberative processes, lawsuits involving multinationals, and environmental damage. Nonetheless, Brazilian civil society has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to contest land grabbing by both national and multinational stakeholders.

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it explores the ways in which Brazilian civil society successfully counters so-called “development projects” promoted by land-grabbing multinationals. Lessons are drawn from ProSAVANA, a contested intervention that was halted by Mozambican and Brazilian civil society. The paper investigates whether these lessons can be applied to the case of wind farms. Second, it seeks to dismantle the hegemonic discourse (re)produced by European wind energy multinationals in order to maintain established hierarchies. For this purpose, press releases and interviews are analysed.

Hence, the paper does not only dismantle existing power structures but also examines the capacity of civil society to mobilize resistance.